Opening Day Roster: Trenton Thunder

Written by Greg Fertel | 05 April 2010

PITCHERS (13): Cory Arbiso, Wilkins Arias, Jeremy Bleich, Noel Castillo, Wilkin De La Rosa, Grant Duff, Christian Garcia, D.J. Mitchell, Lance Pendleton, David Phelps, Ryan Pope, Josh Schmidt, Eric Wordekemper

CATCHERS (2): Jose Gil, Austin Romine

INFIELDERS (7): David Adams, Neall French, Brandon Laird, Luis Nunez, Kevin Smith, Justin Snyder, Marcos Vechionacci

OUTFIELDERS (4): Daniel Brewer, Edwar Gonzalez, Austin Krum, Damon Sublett

As Ashmore notes, this list includes 26 players, when only 24 are permitted. Two of these guys will either be on the DL or with another team come opening day.

We had earlier heard that Hector Noesi had been assigned to Tampa, but I still wasn't convinced he wouldn't be with the Thunder on opening day. It looks like he will start the season at Tampa; I assume it has as much to do with the weather as anything else.

Looking through the pitchers, I count seven guys who have primarily been starters. Bleich, Mitchell, Garcia, De La Rosa, Pendleton, Phelps, and Pope. I think that the first four are locks for the rotation, so I'm curious to see how it plays out with the latter three.

I would say that the final spot should be given to Phelps, but reports have been very positive regarding Pope this spring.

On the offensive side, there is Austin Romine and then a few guys who aren't necessarily top prospects but still warrant watching: David Adams, Brandon Laird, Daniel Brewer, and Damon Sublett.

We should be getting the rest of the minor league rosters soon, and I'll have them posted when they become available.