The number of guys on teams spring training roster varies. Some invite everyone. Some invite just a few. Portland this year, invited somewhere in the middle. "We have 40 guys in camp right now" commented GM Chris Wilson as the team opened camp out in Tombstone, Arizona last week. "And those 40 are a mixed bag of guys. Some are prospects we want to see up close against some big league action. Some will be our regulars on the opening day roster looking to shake off the winter rust. And some are just some guys that likely won't make the roster but might be guys we need to use if injuries pile up this season. It's a mixed bag."
Portland opened spring with a solid 6-4 start. In the team's opener, fans who showed up to Nashville's spring training facility watched 29 different Lumberjacks enter the game in Portland's 9-7 win in 13 innings over the Bluebirds. Fans at the game saw prospect Murali Patachli make his spring debut. The 24 year old hurler is expected to make the opening day roster if spring goes well.
"It's exciting for sure" said the 24 year old after the game. "I wish things had gone a little better for me out there but I felt good." Murali walked 3 and gave up 4 hits that led to 5 runs in just 2.1 innings of work to kick off the spring. He followed that up with a 1 hit, shutout effort over 4 innings against Long Beach.
A week later, fans flocked to Portland's home site to witness Alaric Wullenweber make his spring home debut. Several of those fans dawned their new #5 Wullenweber jerseys or t-shirts in anticipation of the future Hall of Famer pitching for the Lumberjacks. "This is what's great about spring" commented one fan at the game. "When you get to see veteran stars like Wullenweber share the field with some of the young guys like Matt Pruitt, it makes for a fun day at the ball yard.
Portland GM Chris Wilson didn't elaborate this week on any potential roster moves or roster decisions. He did say that the team likely won't start making any roster moves or decisions until either after next week's game or potentially not until the final week of spring training. "In all honesty" Wilson did state, "we probably have 24-25 of our roster spots already locked up. But we want to give everyone competing for those final spots as much opportunity and evaluation as possible."
"Until then" added Sandy Mounds, "everyone should come out and enjoy seeing this group of guys play. They're going to compete this season."