The Salt Lake Bees have released the 24-man roster for opening day of the 2008 Pacific Coast League season.
Once again the Angels have provided us with a talent-filled roster as we continue to be a critical link in one of the most consistently strong farm systems in baseball, said Salt Lake Bees general manager Marc Amicone. Bees fans will have the opportunity to watch Angels top prospects prepare for the big leagues.
On the mound, Salt Lake will return seven pitchers who saw action for the Bees in 2007 while welcoming the Angels number two prospect and 2003 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year Nick Adenhart. Kasey Olenberger, who finished 2007 with a 10-7 record and 5.25 ERA, returns to the Bees for his third season.
In the infield, Salt Lake will once again feature the 2005 Minor League Baseball Player of the Year, Brandon Wood. Wood begins his second consecutive season ranked as the number one prospect in the Angels system by Baseball America after making his major league debut in 2007. Kendry Morales, who played 43 games with the Angels in 2007, returns to Salt Lake for a third straight season.
2007 PCL All-Star Terry Evans will team up with newcomer Dermal (Dee) Brown, a former league foe with the Sacramento River Cats, to roam the outfield for the Bees. Behind the plate, Salt Lake will have big league experience in Ryan Budde and talented youth in Bobby Wilson to start the season.
The Salt Lake Bees open the 2008 PCL season on the road against the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday.