FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Madison, Madison County Record, Sports, Z - News Main
 By  Bob Labbe Published 
7:42 pm Sunday, May 2, 2021

Trash Pandas’ 2021 Team Roster Released

MADISON, Alabama – In conjunction with the Los Angeles Angels, the Rocket City Trash Pandas are proud to announce the first roster in club history ahead of Opening Day against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Tuesday, May 4.

At the helm for the Trash Pandas will be Manager Jay Bell, a World Series Champion and Gold Glove Award Winner with over 2,000 games of Major League experience. Joining him on the coaching staff will be Pitching Coach Michael Wuertz, Hitting Coach Kenny Hook, Defensive Coach Derek Florko, Strength and Conditioning Coach Andrew Chappell, and Athletic Trainer Yusuke Takahashi.

Bell’s 28-man squad features five of the Angels’ Top 30 prospects (according to MLB.com): left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers (Angels’ No. 2, No. 65 in all of baseball), right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega (No. 15), outfielder Orlando Martinez (No. 17), left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton (No. 22), and right-handed pitcher Denny Brady (No. 28).

Detmers, the Angels’ top pitching prospect, will be making his professional debut for Rocket City. Drafted in the first round (10th overall) of the 2020 Draft out of the University of Louisville, Detmers spent last season at the Angels Alternate Training Site in Long Beach.

Rocket City Trash Pandas Opening Day Roster (As of May 2, 2021):

Right-Handed Pitchers (10): Nathan Bates, Denny Brady, Cooper Criswell, Travis Herrin, Jake Lee, Kieran Lovegrove, Oliver Ortega, Hansel Rodriguez, Keith Rogalla, Kyle Tyler

Left-Handed Pitchers (5): Adrian Almeida, Reid Detmers, Jhonathan Diaz, Connor Higgins, Packy Naughton

Catchers (3): Michael Cruz, Matt Jones, Anthony Mulrine

Infielders (6): Ray-Patrick Didder, Jake Gatewood, Ibandel Isabel, David MacKinnon, Mitch Nay, Michael Stefanic

Outfielders (4): Spencer Griffin, Torii Hunter Jr., Orlando Martinez, Izzy Wilson

The Trash Pandas open the 2021 season on the road against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:15 p.m. Josh Caray will be on the call for 97.7 THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio.

Also on The Madison Record
Strong secures evaluation of USPS processing center closure
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By STAFF REPORTS 
January 15, 2026
WASHINGTON— Representative Dale Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has secured an evaluation of the United States Postal Service’...
Train Alert Notification System is now active for Madison
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
January 14, 2026
MADISON – In “Madison Weekly” for the week of Jan. 11, Mayor Ranae Bartlett discussed improvements that most residents will appreciate. Residents spok...
Seth Parker returns home as new head football coach
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
“When I was five years old watching my dad coach at Bob Jones, in my heart I knew I wanted to do this.”
Bob Labbe 
January 14, 2026
MADISON - Seth Parker has returned to his roots. Returning to his high school alma mater, Parker was named the new head coach of the Bob Jones footbal...
Joe Kruzel named new Trash Pandas manager
Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com P3A 
January 14, 2026
MADISON – The Rocket City Trash Pandas, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Angels, announced this week that Joe Kruzel will serve as the club’s manag...
Bill Roark recognized for Lifetime Achievement service record by Business Alabama
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
January 14, 2026
MADISON – Bill Roark of Madison is among four distinguished Alabama businesspeople that the Business Alabama organization will recognize as Lifetime A...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *