On Monday, the Chattanooga Lookouts announced their Opening Day roster for the 2014 season. This year’s squad will be led by manager Razor Shines who will be entering his first year as the Lookouts’ skipper.
The Lookouts will begin their 2014 season tomorrow with an exhibition game against Chattanooga State at 6:15 p.m. at AT&T Field.
When the team opens up against the Jackson Generals on Thursday, the team will be carrying 14 pitchers. Leading the team’s pitching staff are RHP Pedro Baez and LHP Jarrett Martin, who are the only members of the team who are currently on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Baez, who switched from an infielder to a relief pitcher last season, has spent four seasons with the Lookouts, including the 2013 campaign.
Martin also spent time with Chattanooga last season, striking out 11 batters in 10.2 innings.
Other pitchers on this year’s roster who spent time with the team last season are LHP Eric Eadington, RHP Carlos Frias, RHP Garrett Gould, RHP Hector Nelo, LHP Chris Reed, RHP Andres Santiago, LHP Mike Thomas and RHP Duke Von Schamman.
New to the Lookouts’ this year are RHP Tyson Brummett, RHP Juan Gonzalez, RHP Juan Noriega and RHP Craig Stem. Brummett comes to the Dodgers’ organization from the Toronto Blue Jays where he spent time with the Buffalo Bisons and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Along with Brummett, Gonzalez is also a new addition to the Dodgers’ organization. The righty spent last season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers where he posted a 4-3 record with a 2.14 ERA.
Handling the pitching staff behind the plate this season will be catchers J.C. Boscan, Chris O’Brien and Alberto Rosario. Boscan will be entering his 18th Major League season and has spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Braves. In 2009, the backstop played in 73 games with the Mississippi Braves and was named to the Southern League All-Star Team.
Boscan isn’t the only veteran presence on the team this season. First baseman Aaron Bates has spent seven seasons in the minors and played last season with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Independent League. Joining Bates around the horn are infielders O’Koyea Dickson, Ozzie Martinez, Daniel Mayora, Angelo Songco and Darnell Sweeney. Headlining that group are Dickson and Sweeney. The two young infielders played together in Rancho Cucamonga last season and combined for 26 home runs and 165 RBIs.
The Lookouts’ 2014 outfield will feature four players who were teammates with Dixson and Sweeney in Rancho Cucamonga. Noel Cuevas, Jon Garcia, Casio Grider and Scott Schebler all made significant impact with the Quakes last season. Out of the four former Quakes, Schebler had arguably the best season, receiving the 2013 Branch Ricky Award for Minor League Player of the Year. The Iowa native hit for an average of .296 and smacked 27 home runs.
Playing alongside Schebler this year will be former Pawtucket Red Sox outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker. Hazelbaker appeared in 121 games for the Triple-A club and hit .257 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs. The 26-year old also swiped 37 bases 44 attempts.
The regular season opener will be on April 3 against the Jackson Generals at AT&T Field. For single game tickets for the team’s season opener call the box office at (423) 267-4TIX.