Vibes Unveil 2025 Opening Day Roster
Frisbees flying across the outfield of blocktickets PARK marked a day of decompression after the stress of training camp cuts died down for the Rocky Mountain Vibes. The coaching staff in Colorado Springs tasked itself with narrowing the roster from 36 players at the start of pre-season practices down to 26.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Frisbees flying across the outfield of blocktickets PARK marked a day of decompression after the stress of training camp cuts died down for the Rocky Mountain Vibes. The coaching staff in Colorado Springs tasked itself with narrowing the roster from 36 players at the start of pre-season practices down to 26.
"Fun," started manager Les Lancaster. "We're gonna have some fun."
As the now official teammates ran and laughed, chasing down flimsy flying discs, the coaching staff emphasized the importance of relaxation after such a demanding 10 days.
With 14 healthy pitchers, one more on the injured list (not counted in the total roster), nine outfielders and infielders, and three catchers, the roster is set.
Lancaster quickly turned to highlighting the offense. The Vibes' third-year manager said, "I feel like -- up and down the lineup -- we definitely bring more power."
"I don't think we're gonna have quite as much speed as we had last year," he continued. That's not an insult to this year's crew, but it is simply a statement about a very big roster move. The team's 2024 leader in stolen bases, Ernie Yake, made the switch in the off-season from player to coach, now helping teach the batters alongside new coach Anthony Ray.
"We're gonna run -- we're gonna try it," Lancaster wrapped up.
The seven-year big leaguer's praise for Yake and Ray goes beyond their ability on the bases extending to their approach at the plate. He said, "They're not strikeout guys… they talk about putting the ball in play."
Apart from managing the crew, Lancaster teams up with assistant coach Bobby Chouinard, another former Major League hurler, to compose the pitching coach unit. Combined those two dealt 12 seasons in the bigs, and that experience makes a sizable difference for the bullpen.
"This year, I'm more hands-on, and I think the guys like it," began Lancaster. "They've still gotta learn how to respond to me -- they're not sure, yet -- but overall right now the feedback is great… Hopefully the pitching will step up and do what we think they can."
Nine members of the 2024 Vibes roster are back (including Yake). Apart from the fundamentals, the manager says the chemistry adds a key factor. He explained, "They know me. The other players can go to them, and ask how I am, and hopefully get more comfortable with me and the way I like to do things."
Of the batters making their way back to Colorado Springs, two-way player Stephen Wilmer posted the best batting line with a .333 average before being traded away mid-season and re-signing in the winter. Infielder Dane Tofteland brought the power with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs.
Heading out to the bump, right-hander Trey Morrill's 5.03 ERA leads the familiar pack on the mound. Bullpen arm Wyatt Tucker kept the bases light with a WHIP of 1.577.
Yake, Wilmer, Tofteland, Morrill, and Tucker join fellow returners right-handed reliever Caden Kratz, left-handed pitcher Nick Powers, catcher Austin Chouinard (son of assistant coach Bobby), and infielder Alex Adams.
Joining the team in the bullpen are LHP Cregg Scherrer, two-way player Hunter Bryan, RHP Osvaldo Morel, LHP Anthony Imhoff, RHP Kerry Wright, LHP Gabe White, LHP Caleb Strack, RHP Malik Binns, LHP Riley Phillips, and LHP Tom Peltier.
In the dugout, catcher Otto Jones made the team out of the Arizona tryout, joining fellow catcher Chris Pregent. In the field, Colorado Springs rounds out its roster with infielders Gary Lora, Tristin Garcia, Will Butcher, and Garrett Kueber, as well as outfielders Carter Booth, Sam Linscott, and Kellum Clark.
Six players come in with experience in minor league organizations affiliated with MLB teams: Bryan operated as a hitter-only for a couple seasons of rookie-ball in the Rangers system, Clark and Pregent were teammates at the Single-A and High-A levels for the Mets, Morel spent 2019-2024 working through the Diamondbacks levels, Imhoff tossed for six outings on a White Sox rookie crew in 2024, and Binns made it up to High-A for the Phillies.
Binns and Imhoff bring more than MiLB experience, they bring their stature. With Binns (and Morrill) standing at 6'7" and Imhoff towering even higher at 6'8", Rocky Mountain showcases an aesthetically imposing set of pitchers.
Apart from the returners and those with experience in Major League organizations, the Vibes welcome nine additional players with pro experience. Linscott, Kueber, Lora, Bryan, and Phillips have all bounced around the Pioneer League over the past few seasons. Peltier, Garcia, Butcher, and Linscott competed elsewhere in indy ball in the Frontier League and Atlantic League.
With a Saturday exhibition against the barnstorming Black Sox squad, Rocky Mountain sets up to open its doors for Opening Day on Tuesday night against the Northern Colorado Owlz with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.
Jesse Cook
Thursday, May 15
