One of my favorite things to do in March is try to guess the 2016 opening day roster. There is no science involved, it’s basically all guess work. A lot can happen between now and opening day. Players could tear it up down in Tempe and jump a level, struggle and be held back for extended spring training or get injured. But why not take a shot and see what the 25 man roster could look like.

Pitchers:

Starters

Joe Gatto RHP – Was the Angels second round pick in 2014 and was the ace of the Orem Owlz staff in 2015. Still just 20 years old. Went 2-3 with a 4.31 ERA in hitter friendly Pioneer League.

Jared Ruxer RHP – Missed all of 2014 after having Tommy John Surgery following his junior season at the University of Louisville. Ruxer was 12th round pick by the Angels in 2014 and made 11 starts for Orem in 2015.

Hunter Green LHP – The 2nd round draft pick from 2013 hasn’t pitched in two years after a pair of injuries. Green had a good instructional league showing this fall and is still young, just 20 years old.

Grayson Long RHP – This one is tricky because I could see the Angels doing what they have done with other college arms like Jordan Kipper and Chris Ellis  and skipping him up to Inland Empire. Long, a 2015 third rounder out of Texas A&M made 12 starts with a 0-0 record and a 5.03 ERA.

Jose Rodriguez RHP – The Venezuelan native was a work horse for Orem in 2015, going 3-3 with a 4.79 ERA in 62 innings.

Bullpen

Adam Hofacket RHP – 10th Rounder who excelled in the Orem Owlz bullpen going 4-0 with a 3.77 ERA with 8 saves in 10 opportunities.

Ronnie Glenn LHP – 22nd rounder out of Penn went 6-1 with a 3.73 ERA out of the bullpen and struck out 54 in 41 innings.

Aaron Cox RHP – Another college arm, struck out 35 in 38 innings, went 4-0 with a 3.08. 19th rounder in 2015 out of Gannon.

Arjenis Ferenandez RHP – Ended the 2015 season with the Burlington Bees and could make his fourth tour of duty in the Midwest League but is still young at 22 years old.

Adam McCreery LHP – Was a 22nd rounder in 2014 and spent the last two seasons in the AZL but could make the jump due to his age, 23

Connor Lillis-White LHP – Another college guy, drafted in the 32nd round in 2015 out of British Columbia. Spent 2015 in Tempe with the AZL Angels going 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA, striking out 18 in 15.1 innings.

Ariel Ovando LHP – Was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Angels from the Chicago Cubs. Spent 2015 with the AZL Cubs and was 4-0 with a 0.43 ERA. Was in the MWL with the QC River Bandits when he was an outfielder in the Astros system.

Tyler Watson LHP – Pitched in 24 games for Orem in 2015. Was a 38th rounder in 2014.

Catchers

Tanner Lubach – Drafted in the 9th round of the Nebraska, took over the starting spot in Orem after the promotion of Taylor Ward.

Angel Genao – Split the 2015 season between AZL and Orem. Will be 23 by opening day.

Infield

Nick Flair 1B/3B – Nick Flair was one of the 2015 draft picks who provided an impact at the end of the season for the Bees. With Zach Houchins up in IE, Nick will see more time at 3rd.

David Fletcher SS – The Angels have a little bit of a log jam at shortstop right now so it could be possible for Fletcher, who hit .311 between Orem and Burlington, to start the season back in Burlington. The 6th rounder is young being a draft eligible sophomore at 21 years old.

Sam Koenig 1B/OF – Sam begun his pro career with the Bees after being selected in the 27th round. Koenig played in 9 games for the Bees and ended the season with Orem, hitting .271 with the Owlz.

Juan Moreno SS/2B – Spent time at three levels in 2015, playing in eight games for the Bees. His age (21) could be the reason why he starts in Burlington in 2016.

Hutton Moyer 2B – The son of Jamie Moyer was a seventh round pick in 2015 out of Pepperdine. Moyer heated up after a slow start in Orem. Solid glove up the middle.

Kenny Towns 3B – Depending on where they want Nick Flair to get the majority of time, Towns could make his way to Burlington in 2016. Towns shined defensively in the CWS with Virginia. Ended the 2015 season on a high note in Orem.

Outfield

Alex Abbott – The sixth rounder from 2014 still has age on his side (21). Abbott appeared in four games with the Bees before joining the Orem Owlz on their opening day roster. Alex hit eight home runs for the Owlz.

Ranyelmy Alberto – Formerly known as Ranyelmy Mendoza, Alberto had a bounce back season in Orem after a rough 2014 with the Bees.

Trever Allen – The former Sun Devil showed flashes in 2015 with the Bees, smacking five homers. Allen was a 25th rounder in 2015.

Michael Hermosillo – Was a member of the Bees opening day roster in 2015 but finished the season in Orem. Hermosillo is young still at 21 years old and can get on base.

 

There is my guess of the 2016 roster and i’m sure i’ll be way off, we’ll see in a few weeks.