Minor League affiliates set rotations
Top prospect Renfroe opens season at Double-A; No. 2 Hedges at Triple-A
LOS ANGELES -- All four of the Padres' top Minor League affiliates get started on Thursday. Here's a look at the pitching rotations for each team.
Triple-A El Paso begins its season at home against Tacoma. The Chihuahuas will go with a starting rotation that consists of Jason Lane, Aaron Northcraft, James Needy and Robbie Erlin.
The final spot in the rotation is still being decided after the team traded Matt Wisler to the Braves on Sunday in the deal to get Craig Kimbrel.
Catcher Austin Hedges, the organization's No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com, will begin the season with El Paso. Hedges is regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in the Minor Leagues.
Video: Black on catching prospect Hedges' progress at camp
The Double-A San Antonio Missions begin their season on the road in Tulsa. Their starting rotation will consist of Colin Rea, Justin Hancock, Bryan Rodriguez, Elliot Morris and Bryce Morrow.
Outfielder Hunter Renfroe, the organization's No. 1 prospect, will begin the year with the Missions.
Shortstop Trea Turner, the team's first-round Draft pick last June, will begin the season with the Missions. Turner is the player to be named from a three-team deal with the Nationals and Rays in December and will join the Nationals' organization in June.
Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore will have a loaded pitching staff when it begins the regular season at home against Modesto. The Storm rotation will include Ryan Butler, Zech Lemond, Justin Livengood, Ronald Herrera and Rafael De Paula.
Class A Fort Wayne begins its season on the road against Great Lakes. The TinCaps will go with Thomas Dorminy, Taylor Cox, Ernesto Montas and Walker Lockett in their rotation. Dinelson Lamet and Taylor Aikenhead will piggyback each other in starts as well.