The 2014 edition of the Travelers will begin the season with five of the Los Angeles Angels top 10 prospects according to Baseball America. Starting pitching and a talented infield will be the Arkansas calling card to begin the season.

 

Pitchers                                    Traveler Tidbit                                          

RJ Alvarez                                  Many believe Alvarez isn’t far from a big league bullpen with a 93-99 mph fastball.

Orangel Arenas                       Arenas returns to the Travs where in 2011-12 he posted a 14-21 record.

Yeiper Castillo                          The free agent signee from Venezuela appeared in 29-games last season fanning 80.

Ryan Chaffee                           Chaffee saw action in 47-games for the Travs last year sporting a 2.92 ERA.

Carmine Giardina                  The New York native struck out 33 while only walking 13 last season between the 66ers and Travs.

Kevin Johnson                        Johnson has saved 29-games for the Travs in the last two seasons.

Mike Morin                              Morin was the Halos Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2013.

Michael Roth                          The only member of the Travelers to open the season who is on the Angels 40-man roster.

Drew Rucinski                       In five starts and 29-innings for the 66ers last year – The Oklahoma native was 2-2 with a 1.86 ERA.

Eduard Santos                       The physically gifted Santos makes his Double-A debut this season.

Mark Sappington                 The No. 5 Angels prospect fanned 136-batters and won 12 games last year between 66ers and Travs.

Brandon Sisk                         Sisk is no stranger to DSP as he was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2010-11.

Kramer Sneed                       Acquired from the Yankees as part of the Vernon Wells trade.

 

Catchers

Jett Bandy                            Bandy returns to Arkansas after being tabbed a Texas league Mi-Season All Star in 2013

Anderson De La Rosa       De la Rosa caught 69-games for Triple-A Nashville (Brewers) last year

 

Infielders

Kaleb Cowart (3B)            An important year for the No. 3 prospect after hitting .221 last season with the Travelers.

Shawn O’Malley (SS)      Swiped 24 bags last season fo rthe Montgomery Biscuits (Rays Double-A).

Michael Snyder (1B)        A breakout 2013 saw Snyder slam 25 home runs and drive in 92 for Inland Empire.

Eric Stamets (SS)              190 total bases for the speedster from Ohio last year with Single-A Inland Empire. One to watch.

Jimmy Swift (SS)             Third consecutive year that Swift has worn a Travelers jersey.

Alex Yarbrough (2B)       Hit .313 and drove in 80 runs for the 66ers last year. Great DP combo with Stamets.

 

Outfielders

Zach Borenstein            The Angels Minor League PLayer of the Year after a monster 2013 for inland Empire.

Drew Heid                       Heid is a career .305 hitter after three professional campaigns.

Kyle Hudson                   Hudson has swiped 30 or more bases in four of his six pro seasons.

Andy Workman            Cal League Championship Series MVP for Inland Empire in 2013.