ARTICLE
For Immediate Release June 19, 2017 Media Contact: Rich Haskell Phone: 802-999-5098 Email: rich@cttigers.com CT Tigers Announce 2017 Roster Former MLB Catcher Gerald Laird Welcomes 31 Hopefuls to Norwich NORWICH, CT – Detroit's top minor league prospect and 30 others have arrived in Norwich as the Connecticut Tigers announced their 2017 roster on Monday at Dodd Stadium. RHP Matt Manning, who was picked ninth overall in last year's MLB draft and was recently ranked as Detroit's #1 prospect, and the Tigers' 2017 2nd-round choice, outfielder Reynaldo Rivera, will be a part of Connecticut's 8th season as members of the New York-Penn League. Also on the 2017 roster, fourteen returnees; pitchers Ryan Castellanos, Brandyn Sittinger, Oswaldo Castillo, Daniel Gonzalez, John Hayes, Victor Mueses, Clate Schmidt, and Felix Viloria. Catcher Andres Sthormes, infielders Will Savage, Junnell Ledezma, Hunter Swilling, and Jose Vasquez, and outfielder Sam Machonis also return to Dodd Stadium. Former Major League Catcher Gerald Laird will be the Tigers' manager. Included in his 13-year MLB career were two trips to the World Series, earning a ring as a key member of the 2011 champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers begin their season with a five-game homestand; a two-game set tonight and Tuesday against Stedler Division rival Tri-City, followed by a three-game series with the Aberdeen Ironbirds Wednesday-Friday. All Tigers games, home and away, can be heard on 1310 WICH or online at cttigers.com. After breaking attendance records in 2016, Dodd Stadium will be home to many exciting additions for all ages this summer. For the kids (and young at heart); a full arcade, a huge inflatable playground and a speed pitch machine. Also brand new in 2017, the "Hall of Franks", a gourmet Kayem hot dog stand, and the "Hop Corner", featuring a bar dedicated entirely to Connecticut draft beers. The Connecticut Tigers are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play a 76 game schedule that runs from Monday through early September. 2017 season tickets, group tickets, mini plans, individual game tickets, and team merchandise are now on sale! The front office and ticket office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be accessed in person or by calling 860-887-7962.