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The minor league baseball season is about to start, and Angels’ affiliates have released their opening day rosters (most of them). You can also check an up to date listing of all players from Taylor Blake Ward on Scout.com.
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Burlington Bees
Level: A
Midwest League
Opening Day: April 6th
Top prospect Jahmai Jones will be returning to the Bees, but he may not be there all season.
Speaking of top prospects (or rather former in this case), Roberto Baldoquin has been demoted from the 66ers to the Bees to start the season. Let’s hope whatever struggles he has had can be worked out better at this level.
Troy Montgomery and Brennon Lund will also be returning to the Bees outfield along with Jones.
Joe Gatto, who struggled in his promotion to high A last season, will be returning to Burlington.
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Inland Empire 66ers
Level: A+
California League
Opening Day: April 6th
Roster not yet announced but should be any moment. However, we do know a few things from Ward’s list on Scout.com
Connor Justus (SS), who we interviewed last month, is moving up to the 66ers.
20-year-old Jaime Barria (SP) who had a great year in Burlington will be moving us as well.
Another pitcher, and 2015 3rd round pick, Grayson Long will be moving up to the 66ers.
Michael Hermosillo, who ended his season with the 66ers, will start back up there again this year. He split his time close to 50/50 last year with the 66ers and Burlington Bees.
Also no surprise that Matt Thaiss (1B) will be playing in the Inland Empire.
This 66ers team is sure going to be fun to watch this year and we get to see some up and coming prospects playing close to home!
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Mobile BayBears
Formerly affiliated with: Arkansas Travelers
Level: AA
Southern League
Opening Day: April 12th
Eduardo Paredes is the sole 40-man roster dude on the AA team. Last season he started in high A but spent most of the season for the Arkansas Travelers. Paredes just turned 22 so there is no huge rush to move him to AAA yet.
Spring training show-off David Fletcher will also start his season in Mobile with presumably a AAA call-up in his near future.
Click for more details on the BayBears roster
No word on were Taylor Ward will start the season as yet - other than on the DL :(
hearing #Angels prospect Taylor Ward has oblique injury, side-lining him for start of 2017 season
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) April 4, 2017
The rookie teams (AZL Angels & Orem Owlz) don’t start playing until June.
Also, the Salt Lake Bees, who start on April 11th, haven’t officially announced their 2017 roster yet, but they DID announce a 4 year affiliation extension with the Angels on Twitter today.
We are proud to announce that we have extended our affiliation with the @Angels through the 2020 season! 4 more years of #TheHaloWay
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 4, 2017