The Great Lakes Loons announced their Opening Day roster for the 2019 season, and it is headlined by Los Angeles Dodgers prospects Josiah Gray and Jacob Amaya.
Gray is making his organizational debut with the Low-A affiliate after being acquired in the trade that sent Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer to the Cincinnati Reds this past offseason.
A 2018 second-round pick of the Reds, Gray made 12 starts with their rookie-ball affiliate in 2018. He pitched to a 2.58 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 59 and walking 17 in 52.1 innings.
The Dodgers drafted Amaya in the 11th round in 2017 out of South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif. He closed out the 2018 season with Great Lakes, hitting .265/.390/.306 with a home run and five RBI in 27 games.
Overall in 59 games between the Loons and Rookie-level Ogden, Amaya slashed .311/.432/.436 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 29 RBI.
Other notable Dodgers prospects who will be playing for Great Lakes to begin the season include Leonel Valera, Miguel Vargas and Guillermo Zuniga.
Of the players on the roster, 11 spent a portion of the 2018 season with Great Lakes, 11 were drafted by the Dodgers in 2018, and 10 make their offseason homes outside the United States (four in Dominican Republic, four in Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba).
The Loons begin their 2019 season on Thursday against the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio. John Shoemaker returns as manager of the club, entering his 43rd season in the Dodgers organization and 26th season as a Minor League manager.
Pitchers (13): Jasiel Alvino, Jeronimo Castro, Jose Chacin, Austin Drury, Josiah Gray, Justin Hagenman, Joel Inoa, Andre Jackson, Stephen Kolek, Alfredo Tavarez, Nathan Witt, Guillermo Zuniga
Catchers (2): Hunter Feduccia, Trea Todd
Infielders (5): Jacob Amaya, Luke Heyer, Dillon Paulson, Leonel Valera, Miguel Vargas
Outfielders (5): Drew Avans, Romer Cuadrado, Niko Hulsizer, James Outman, Daniel Robinson
