Whitecaps Release 2016 Roster
April 2, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - A pair of first-round draft picks an outfielder with great baseball bloodlines highlight the West Michigan Whitecaps' initial 2016 roster unveiled by the club in conjunction with the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
Headlining this year's Whitecaps are outfielder Derek Hill and pitcher Beau Burrows, the teams' first round draft picks, respectively, from the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Burrows and Hill are among five Whitecaps ranked by Baseball America as top-30 prospects in the Tigers' organization. Burrows, the 22nd pick in last year's draft, is ranked the Tigers second best prospect. Hill, selected at 23rd overall in 2014, is the Tigers' 10th-rated prospect. Other highly-regarded players, according to Baseball America, include 19-year-old outfielder Jose Azocar (#15), along with pitchers Gerson Moreno (#20), and Sandy Baez (#26).
The team also features 11 players who spent time with last season's Whitecaps Midwest League Championship team, including infielder David Gonzalez and outfielder Rashad Brown.
Burrows leads a group of four pitchers drafted by Detroit last summer to open the season in West Michigan, including right-handers Jake Shull (11th round), and Toller Boardman (22nd round), as well as southpaw Matt Hall (6th round).
The 20-year-old Hill returns to the Whitecaps outfield after injuries limited him to just 53 games in 2015. The California native is the son of Los Angeles Dodgers scout Orsino Hill, and the cousin of former Major League outfielder Darryl Strawberry. Outfielder Cam Gibson, the son of Detroit Tigers legend Kirk Gibson, is set to be one of 11 players to make their Whitecaps debuts in 2016. The native of Grosse Pointe played his collegiate baseball at Michigan State University, where he hit .310 with seven home runs and a .390 on-base percentage in 157 career games. His father Kirk was voted National League Manager of the Year in 2011 while with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and currently serves as a color analyst for Tigers television games on Fox Sports Detroit.
Manager Andrew Graham returns to defend his the Midwest League Championship for his third season after building a 157-122 over his first two years at the helm. Graham's coaching staff consists of a new addition in hitting coach Edgar Alfonzo, while pitching coach Mark Johnson returns to the team for his seventh season.
"The Tigers always do a great job in sending solid ballplayers to West Michigan," Whitecaps Vice President Jim Jarecki said. "As we celebrate our 20th season affiliated with Detroit, I couldn't be more excited to see the Whitecaps defend their championship with this group of players."
The West Michigan Whitecaps have scheduled an Open Workout for Wednesday, April 6 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to welcome back the defending Midwest League Champions to Fifth Third Ballpark. Gates open at 4:15 p.m.
The Whitecaps begin the season in South Bend on Thursday, April 7 to visit the Cubs before returning home to face them in West Michigan for the home-opener on Saturday, April 9 at 4 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a replica 2015 Midwest League Championship Ring courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved for any 2016 game by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Midwest League Stories from April 2, 2016
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- Whitecaps Release 2016 Roster - West Michigan Whitecaps
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