The Los Angeles Angels’ top three prospects according to Baseball America and a former SEC star pitcher highlight the Arkansas Travelers’ 2013 opening day roster announced Sunday.
Third baseman Kaleb Cowart, relief pitcher Nick Maronde and first baseman C.J. Cron will be with the Travs when their season opens at 7:10 p.m. Thursday against the Frisco Rough Riders at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
Cowart, a 20-year-old switch-hitter who was a first-round draft pick in 2010, ranks as the Angels’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America.He hit .276 with 16 home runs and 103 RBI playing at Class A Cedar Rapids and Inland Empire. Maronde, ranked No. 2 by Baseball America, spent part of last year at Arkansas before being promoted to the Angels. He spent this spring transitioning to the bullpen after starting a combined 18 games last year at three different minor-league levels.
Cron, the Angels’ third best prospect according to Baseball America, hit .293 with 27 home runs and a California League-best 127 RBI at Inland Empire last year.
Left-handed starter Michael Roth will also start with the Travs. He led South Carolina to consecutive national championships in 2010 and 2011 before becoming a ninth round draft pick of the Angels last June. He went 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 appearances at rookie-level Orem.
Cowart, Cron, second baseman Taylor Lindsey and Randal Grichuk were all first round draft picks by the Angels and first-year Manager Tim Bogar will lead a 25-man roster that includes 15 players who spent time in Arkansas last year.
Right-handers Matt Oye and Jarrett Grube will return to the Travs’ starting rotation, while Mike Piazza, Buddy Boshers, Ryan Chaffee, Kevin Johnson, Jeremy Berg and Daniel Tillman make up a bullpen strong on Travs veterans.
Catcher Carlos Ramirez, infielder Jimmy Swift and outfielders Travis Witherspoon, Matt Long and Drew Heid also will be making their return to the Travs.
The Travs will hold open practices at 7 p.m. Tuesday and at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Sports, Pages 17 on 04/01/2013