Hartford Yard Goats 2018 Opening Day Roster Announced

The Hartford Yard Goats, who will be playing their third season (after moving from New Britain) and their second in the nearly brand new Dunkin’ Donuts Park in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, recently announced their Opening Day roster for the 2018 Minor League season.

The AA-club finished the 2017 season with a 62-77 record, tied for fifth in the Eastern League. Despite their so-so record, the Yard Goats sold out 41 of their 70 games and were named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year. The season was a complete success in aspects off the field and they drew almost 400,000 fans, one of the highest figures in all of the MiLB.

Hartford is looking to make a new run this season, and they’re no joke. An affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, they have decided to start four of their top 10 prospects (according to MiLB.com) in their eccentric green and blue jerseys. Their #1 overall prospect and former 3rd overall draft pick Brendan Rodgers will join #5 RHP Peter Lambert, #6 RHP Ryan Castellani, and #8 IF Garrett Hampson.

In total, 10 of their top 26 prospects were named to the Opening Day roster. There are three players (OF Yonathan Daza , C Chris Robago, and RHP Jesus Tinoco)  on the franchise’s MLB 40-Man roster, a very high figure for any Double-A club. A total of seven were invited to Spring Training this year, and nine Yard Goat players have gotten to the call to The Show in the past two years.

This season looks to be a huge one for Hartford in every way. Financially and economically, the stadium and club will boom without a doubt. It’ll be no surprise if every home game is sold out, and their mascot Chompers (a goat with a bat in his mouth) makes the experience that much better. The Yard Goats open up their season on April 5, and they will play the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 PM. Jerry Weinstein has a massive amount of talent to work with. See the roster below.

ROSTER (taken from MiLB.com)

RHP Ryan Castellani (Philadelphia, PA), RHP Logan Cozart (New Philadelphia, OH), RHP Jason Garcia (Bronx, NY), RHP Scott Griggs (La Jolla, CA), RHP Parker French (Austin, TX), LHP Mitch Horacek (Littleton, CO), RHP Peter Lambert (San Dimas, CA), RHP Marc Magliaro (Monroe Township, NJ), RHP Craig Schlitter (Guilford, CT), LHP Max Schuh (Fresno, CA), RHP Matt Pierpont (Winter Springs, FL), RHP Jesus Tinoco (San Santonio de Maturin, VZ), LHP Jack Wynkoop (Virginia Beach, VA); C Dom Nunez (Elk Grove, CA), C Chris Robago (Riverside, CA), C Sam Tidaback (Plainville, IL); INF Garrett Hampson (Reno, NV), INF Mylz Jones (Palmdale, CA), INF Brian Mundell (Santa Clarita, CA), INF Ryan Metzler (Glen Burnie, MD), INF Brendan Rodgers (Winter Park, FL), INF Bobby Wernes (Overland Park, KS); OF Omar Carrizales (Maracay, VZ), OF Yonathan Daza (Maracay, VZ), OF Sam Hilliard (Mansfield, TX), OF Wes Rogers (Greenville, SC)