Rochester is slated to open the season Friday night against the Buffalo Bisons.
By CRAIG POTTER
With 15 players returning who saw action with the Rochester Red Wings last season, manager Joel Skinner begins his first season at the helm of the Red Wings.
“Nothing replaces playing,” said Skinner as the club prepares for opening day. “I told the players that I really enjoy Triple-A as they’re one step away from the big leagues.”
Skinner is entering his 38th year in baseball with experience as a manager in the major leagues as well as with the Buffalo Bisons and Charlotte Knights of the International League.
The team’s strength, to start the season, is its pitching staff. Nine hurlers have some major league experience, as well as many of the other players.
The opening day roster includes:
PITCHERS (14): Nick Anderson, DJ Baxendale, Alan Busenitz, Casey Crosby, John Curtiss, Tyler Duffey, Dietrich Enns, Myles Jaye, Matt Magill, Adalberto Mejia, Mason Melotakis, Jake Reed, Fernando Romero, Aaron Slegers
CATCHERS (3): Willians Astudillo, Jordan Pacheco, Bobby Wilson
INFIELDERS (6): Jermaine Curtis, Taylor Featherston, Gregorio Petit, Leonardo Reginatto, Brock Stassi, Kennys Vargas
OUTFIELDERS (4): Nick Buss, Jake Cave, Zack Granite, James Ramsey
“It’s a good group of guys,” Skinner said. “They understand the process and they’ve been through it. We’ve got a good mix of younger and veteran guys. They all had real good spring training and we came out of Ft. Myers healthy, which is a plus.”
Slegers will start on the mound for the Wings Friday. He went 15-4 with Rochester last season.
“I’m ready to get it going,” he said. “We’ve been in Florida for a while. We’re ready to get it going for the people here in Rochester…There’s a lot of optimism, a lot of guys coming back…We hope to pick up where we left off (last season).”
Staten Island native and outfielder Zack Granite is one of the returning players. He was called up the Minnesota Twins for a second time in August and made their Wild Card roster.
“Going back to last year, it was a lot of fun,” Granite said. “I didn’t start in Minnesota (this year), but nobody feels bad for me as I get to play baseball for a living.”
Open Day Schedule
The Red Wings announced plans for Opening Day on Friday, April 6 at 6:05 pm when the Wings host the Buffalo Bisons. Tickets can be purchased online at RedWingsBaseball.com or in person at the Red Wings Ticket Office. Opening Day tickets come with a 50-degree guarantee, meaning if the temperature does not reach 50 degrees each ticket may be exchanged for any remaining home game in April or May.
A complete rundown of Opening Day events are listed below:
4:30 p.m. – Gates open.
- The first 1,500 fans will get a Red Wings scarf courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts
- The first 5,000 fans will get a magnet schedule courtesy of the Democrat & Chronicle
5:30 p.m. – Community Dirt Dump
- Local Little Leagues/youth leagues and Section V baseball and softball teams were invited to bring dirt from their home fields to add to the infield at Frontier Field. Those participating will be spread out on the outfield grass along the infield cutout facing home plate.
5:38 p.m. – Lineups
- All players and members of the field staffs for both teams will be introduced, beginning with Buffalo.
5:50 p.m. – National Anthem
- Abby Celso, a Rochesterian who competed on NBC’s The Voice, will be signing the anthem. The Color Guard will be comprised of sailors from Navy Operational Support Center Rochester.
5:57 p.m. – First Pitch
- World War II Veteran George Haines will throw out the first pitch, accompanied by Korean War Veteran Jim Beebe.
6:05 p.m. – Play Ball
*NOTES — Should Friday night’s game get cancelled, due to the weather, the two teams will try to open the season Saturday at 1:05 pm…Red Wings GM Dan Mason still was taking an optimistic look at Friday’s weather and his guarantee of 50-degree weather. “The weather does change and we’re hoping it does change and get a little bit warmer than what the experts are calling for Friday,” he said. “The good news is if I’m wrong, the fans (in attendance) will get a free ticket to any game during April or May.”