The Bowling Green Hot Rods, in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays, announced their 2015 Opening Night roster on Sunday. On Thursday, the Hot Rods will begin their seventh season in South Bend, Ind., and will open at home on Saturday, April 18. The roster is headlined by a pair of first-round picks, and features a former University of Louisville star in Grant Kay.
Nick Ciuffo (21st overall, 2013) and Casey Gillaspie (20th overall, 2014) are the highest-drafted Hot Rods on the Opening Night roster. Ciuffo was the first high school catcher taken in the 2013 draft, and he’s considered one of the best defensive catchers in the Rays system. Gillaspie, a former Wichita State star, hit .262 with seven home runs and 42 runs batted in with Hudson Valley in his professional debut last season. The switch-hitting first baseman is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the organization according to MLB.com, and Ciuffo is rated 13th.
Brent Honeywell will help lead the Bowling Green pitching staff in 2015. He’s listed as the seventh-best prospect after an outstanding 2014 season in the Appalachian League with Princeton. Honeywell posted a 1.07 earned run average in 33.2 innings. He was chosen with the 72nd overall pick in last year’s draft, and many think he can be a fast-climber in Tampa Bay’s system. Hunter Wood was in the Hot Rods’ rotation for the month of April last season, and he returns after an All-Star season with Hudson Valley.
The roster is primarily being drawn from Hudson Valley and Princeton, who each amassed highly successful seasons last year. The Renegades won 46 games and made the New York-Penn League playoffs, while Princeton finished with an Appalachian League-best 40 wins to close the regular season. To secure tickets to the WKU exhibition game, Opening Night, or a season-ticket package, please visit BGHotRods.com, call 270-901-2121, or stop by the ballpark.
Pitchers (13): Kyle Bird, Damion Carroll, Henry Centeno, Edwin Fierro, Hyrum Formo, Enderson Franco, Mike Franco, Edgar Gomez, Greg Harris, Brent Honeywell, Brian Miller, Chris Pike, Hunter Wood
Catchers (2): Nick Ciuffo, Mac James
Infielders (6): Coty Blanchard, Jace Conrad, Casey Gillaspie, Grant Kay, Cristian Toribio, Riley Unroe
Outfielders (4): Bralin Jackson, Hunter Lockwood, Thomas Milone, Justin Williams