On Tuesday, the Lookouts announced their preliminary Opening Day roster for the 2019 season.
The 25-man roster led by Pat Kelly is composed of 12 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders.
Of the 25 players on the roster, 10 are listed on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Reds Prospect list. Headlining the list is outfielder Taylor Trammell (#2). The number two Reds’ prospect, and number 16 overall prospect, spent 2018 in Daytona Beach and hit eight 31 extra-base hits in 110 games. Trammell is the second former first round pick on the squad.
Catcher Tyler Stephenson (#6) was drafted by the Reds with the 11th pick in 2015. The strong-armed catcher spent last year with the Tortugas and was named a Mid-season All-Star.
This year’s team features two more prospects featured on the Reds Top 10 list. Pitcher Tony Santillan (#5) split time between Daytona Beach and Pensacola last season. The righty made 11 starts in Double-A including one against the Lookouts on July 25th. In that start he earned the win after tossing a solid 5.2 innings.
The fourth top 10 prospect is outfielder Jose Siri (#10). Siri smacked 12 homers in just 66 games last year and hit 24 with the Dayton Dragons in 2017.
Other top 30 Reds position prospects include outfielder T.J. Friedl (#13), infielders Ibandel Isabel (#25) and Alfredo Rodriguez (#29). Pitching prospects appearing on this year’s roster are lefty Scott Moss (#15),Joel Kuhnel (#26) and Ryan Hendrix (#27). Moss was the ace of the Tortugas staff last season leading the Florida State League with 15 wins.
The rest of the Lookouts pitching staff is comprised of righthanders Tejay Antone, Aaron Fossas, Johendi Jiminan, Jordan Johnson, Alex Powers and Wyatt Strahan. Lefthanders Ty Boyles and Victor Payano round out the staff.
Catching the Lookouts staff this season, alongside Stephenson, is Cassidy Brown. Last year, the 2016 draft pick split time between Daytona Beach and Pensacola. This year’s infield features several of Brown’s teammates from last season including Gavin LaValley, Alberti Chavez and Luis Gonzalez. Third basemanBrantley Bell will be making his Double-A debut this season after playing in 117 games for the Tortugas. During his time in the Florida State League last year he hit seven homers and knocked in 54 runs.
Trammell headlines a strong outfield that consists of Siri, Friedl, Narciso Crook and Courtney Hawkins. Hawkins spent seven years in the Chicago White Sox organization before signing with the Reds in August of last year. Hawkins has made a splash in the Southern League, hitting a career 31 home runs with the Birmingham Barons.
The Lookouts 2019 season, presented by FirstBank, begins on April 4 when the Lookouts face off against the Montgomery Biscuits at 6:15 p.m. at AT&T Field. Tickets for next season, including season tickets and mini plans, are now on sale. For more information on how to secure your seats to the season’s best games, call the ticket office at 423-267-4TIX.