Knoxville Smokies release initial roster ahead of home opener
The Smokies will open play at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Tuesday, April 15.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Smokies have announced their initial 2025 roster, made up of plenty of Chicago Cubs top prospects and familiar faces returning to East Tennessee.
When it comes to the Smokies’ infield, the star of the show is, among others, the Cubs’ No. 18 prospect Pedro Ramirez. He’s a switch-hitter who clubbed a .284 batting average and 48 RBI in South Bend last year. Ed Howard, the Cubs’ No. 16 pick in the 2020 draft, will make his AA debut with the Smokies. Other infielders include returning players like Hayden Cantrelle, Haydn McGeary and BJ Murray.
Outfielders will be headlined by Felix Stevens and Parker Chavers, who were both a part of the Smokies’ postseason squad last season. Joining them are Jordan Nwogu and Jaylen Palmer.
Catchers will look familiar, with the Cubs’ No. 27 prospect Pablo Aliendo donning the Smokies uniform once more.
OPening day’s pitcher is projected to be the Cubs’ 2023 fourth round pick Will Sanders. Sam Armstrong, Brad Depperman, Nick Hull, Wil Jensen, Chris Kachmar, Grant Kipp, Robert Kwiatkowski, Ben Leeper, Zac Leigh, AJ Puckett, Tyler Santana, Frankie Scalzo, Mitchell Tyranski and Cayne Ueckert round out the staff.
The Smokies will open play at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Tuesday, April 15.
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