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.
