SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws Unveil 2015 Opening Day Roster

Published on April 5, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - The BlueClaws and their parent club, the Phillies, have announced Lakewood's 2015 Opening Day roster. Under manager Shawn Williams, the BlueClaws open the season at FirstEnergy Park on Thursday against Kannapolis.

Click here for a PDF version of the 2015 Opening Day roster.

Five players are ranked among the Phillies top 30 prospects per Baseball America: OF Carlos Tocci (5), C Deivi Grullon (13), RHP Ricardo Pinto (14), OF Cord Sandberg (21), and LHP Elniery Garcia (30).

Ten players on the 25-man active roster were part of the 2014 Phillies draft class. RHP Chris Oliver, last year's 4th round pick (University of Arkansas), is the highest drafted player from last year's class on Lakewood's Opening Day roster, while 1B Rhys Hoskins (5th round, Sacramento State) and RHP Matt Hockenberry (9th round, Temple) were other players selected in the first ten rounds.

Two players - OF Jiandido Tromp and IF Derek Campbell - join the BlueClaws after playing in the 2014 NY-Penn League All-Star Game last year while representing Williamsport. Tromp, who has played a combined 40 games with the BlueClaws in 2013 and 2014, hit .266 with 14 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases with Williamsport last year. Campbell, a 20th round pick in 2014 from the University of California, hit .250 while playing second base, third base, and shortstop.

The 25-player active roster includes 10 players that spent part of last season with the BlueClaws.

Among the outfielders, Tocci spent each of the last two seasons with Lakewood. Sandberg was a 3rd round pick of the Phillies in 2013 and is the highest draft pick of any player on the roster.

Campbell and Hoskins, who had 9 home runs and 40 RBIs last year with Williamsport, are joined on the BlueClaws infield by Malquin Canelo, who hit .270 in 45 games with the BlueClaws last year, Grenny Cumana, a 19 year old who spent last year with the Gulf Coast Phillies, Damek Tomscha, a 17th round pick from Auburn, and Tim Zier, a 21st round pick from San Diego State who hit .324 to rank 7th in the Gulf Coast League.

Grullon, who turned 19 on February 17th and is the youngest player on the roster, played 24 games with the BlueClaws last year before serving as Williamsport's lead catcher. He is joined by Joel Fisher, a 23rd round pick last year from Michigan State as the two active catchers.

Pitchers Ranfi Casimiro and Tyler Viza combined to start 49 BlueClaws games last year and they return to Lakewood in 2015. Hockenberry and Joey DeNato (19th round, Indiana) both saw time with Lakewood last year as 2014 draftees and return as well.

Calvin Rayburn (16th round, Barry University), who had nine saves with Williamsport, and Austin Davis (12th round, Cal-State Bakersfield), who had three saves with the GCL Phillies will anchor the bullpen.

BlueClaws 2015 Opening Day Roster

Catchers - Joel Fisher, Deivi Grullon

Infielders - Derek Campbell, Malquin Canelo, Grenny Cumana, Rhys Hoskins, Damek Tomscha, Tim Zier

Outfielders - Herlis Rodriguez, Cord Sandberg, Carlos Tocci, Jiandido Tromp

Pitchers - Ranfi Casimiro, Austin Davis, Joey DeNato, Elniery Garcia, Matt Hockenberry, Chris Oliver, Ricardo Pinto, Calvin Rayburn, Alexis Rivero, Josh Taylor, Jesen Therrien, Tyler Viza, Jason Zgardowski

Shawn Williams, who managed Williamsport last year, takes over as BlueClaws manager in 2015. He is joined on the staff by hitting coach Nelson Prada and pitching coach Aaron Fultz.

Pitchers Drew Anderson, Scott Harris, and Nick Rodesky, as well as outfielder Samuel Hiciano, will open the season on the disabled list.

The BlueClaws open the season on Thursday night against Kannapolis. Opening Day is presented by Jenkinson's Boardwalk and first pitch is at 6:35 pm with the gates opening at 5:30. The opening homestand continues on Friday, April 10th at 7:05. Tickets are just $1 thanks to the Asbury Park Press, while there will be post-game fireworks thanks to River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar. On Saturday, April 11th at 4:05, tickets are again just $1 thanks to the Asbury Park Press and it is the first Ladies Day Saturday of the season with drink specials and raffles for women. The first series of the season concludes on Sunday, April 12th at 1:05. The first 1,500 fans will receive a BlueClaws Water Bottle thanks to Waterside Gardens Apartments and Kids Eat Free thanks to ShopRite.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore's top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in all 14 years of existence.

Single-game tickets, ticket packages, and group outings are on sale by calling 732-901-7000 or online at BlueClaws.com.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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