by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
March 27, 2025
With the Las Vegas Aviators, the A’s Triple-A team, beginning their season on Friday, the opening day roster of the A’s top affiliate has now become clear. Triple-A teams can carry 28 players on the active roster, and the Aviators are opening the season with 15 pitchers and 13 position players on their active roster. The A’s other minor league affiliates in Midland, Lansing and Stockton are all expected to announce their opening day rosters early next week.
With the recent release of Kyle McCann, the team’s catching corps will now consist of former 1st-round pick Daniel Susac, who spent last season as the starting catcher for Double-A Midland, and Willie MacIver, who signed a minor league deal in the offseason after playing for Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque last year. Former Fresno State infielder Ben Newton, who was signed as an undrafted free agent, will start the season on the Aviators reserve squad and will catch bullpen sessions for the Triple-A squad as he transitions to the catching position.
The Aviators infield is set to include last year’s top draft pick for the A’s, first baseman Nick Kurtz, who will start his first full season of pro ball in Las Vegas, second baseman Cooper Bowman, who was selected by Cincinnati in the Rule-5 draft but was returned to the A’s earlier this month, shortstop Darell Hernaiz, who made his big league debut with the A’s last year, and third baseman CJ Alexander, whom the A’s claimed off waivers from Kansas City last September. Minor league free agent signee Alejo Lopez should see time at second base, third base and shortstop, while versatile former 1st-round pick Logan Davidson can play all around the infield as well as the outfield. Third baseman Brett Harris should join the team’s infield mix as well once he returns from the injured list.
Speedy Esteury Ruiz, talented Denzel Clarke and slugger Colby Thomas are all set to start the season in the Las Vegas outfield. Minor league free agent signees Drew Avans and Carlos Cortes will be in the team’s outfield mix as well.
The Aviators are set to open the season with a starting rotation that includes J.T. Ginn, Gunnar Hoglund, Jacob Lopez, Jason Alexander and Mason Barnett. Righty Blake Beers and lefty Domingo Robles will both start the season on the 60-day injured list for Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the team’s ten-man bullpen will be made up of righties Grant Holman, Ryan Cusick and Elvis Alvarado, all of whom are on the A’s 40-man roster, as well as fellow righties Anthony Maldonado, Jack Cushing, Jake Walkinshaw, Tyler Baum and Tanner Dodson, along with lefties Matt Krook and Ben Bowden.
Las Vegas Aviators Complete Roster
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