ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – The Red Sox open their season on Thursday and once again the hometown nine will be loaded with players who starred in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
7 Cape League alumni made the opening day roster, highlighted by staff ace Chris Sale (Y-D 2009) and Centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (Hyannis 2009-2011).
1st Baseman Mitch Moreland (Bourne 2006-2007), Starting Pitcher Brian Johnson (Y-D 2011), and Relief Pitchers Joe Kelly (Y-D 2008), Matt Barnes (Wareham 2009-2010), and Bobby Poyner (Orleans 2014) are also on the 25-man roster.
Pitchers Steven Wright, Tyler Thornburg, and Austin Maddox are also Cape League alumni and opened the season the disabled list.
306 Cape League alumni appeared on big league rosters in 2017.