FORT WAYNE – The San Diego Padres announced the Opening Day roster for the 2015 TinCaps on Sunday. The 25-man squad features 12 players who’ve previously worn a Fort Wayne uniform, including Josh VanMeter.

A year ago, as the first everyday player from the Fort Wayne area in team history, VanMeter helped lead the TinCaps to the Midwest League Eastern Division Championship Series. But the Norwell High School grad from Ossian isn’t the lone Hoosier on this year’s club. The second baseman, who was selected by the Padres in the 5th round of the 2013 draft, is joined by T.J. Weir, a right-handed pitcher who grew up in Kokomo and went to Ball State. Weir was drafted by San Diego last year in the 17th round.

The mostly highly touted prospect on the roster is Michael Gettys. The 19-year-old from Georgia is a center fielder who was selected by the Padres in the 2nd round of last year’s draft (51st overall) out of Gainesville High School. In 2014, Gettys led the rookie-level Arizona League in hits with 66 and finished second in total bases with 93. Noting his raw power and “cannon of an arm,” Baseball America writes that Gettys has “tantalizing upside” and “might be the best athlete from his draft class.”

Baseball America ranks Gettys as the No. 8 prospect in San Diego’s organization. MLB.com’s MLB Pipeline tabs him at No. 7 on their list. Meanwhile, shortstop Franchy Cordero (No. 9) and outfielder Franmil Reyes (No. 22) are also on Fort Wayne’s roster and ranked by MLB Pipeline as top Padres prospects.

Cordero played for the TinCaps last April before transferring to Short-Season Eugene where he became a Northwest League All-Star. Reyes spent all of last year in Fort Wayne. He led the 2014 TinCaps in games played (128), while he was second on the team in hits (126) and third in home runs (11).

Like VanMeter and Reyes, outfielder Henry Charles was also in Fort Wayne all of last season and returns for 2015. The other members of this year’s Opening Day roster with Fort Wayne service time are pitchers Payton Baskette, Yimmi Brasoban, Walker Lockett, Wilson Santos, and Bryan Verbitsky, along with catcher Miguel Del Castillo, infielder Duanel Jones, and outfielder Edwin Moreno.

As announced in February, Francisco Morales is the team’s manager, with Burt Hooton back as pitching coach and Lance Burkhart on board as hitting coach.
The TinCaps arrived in Fort Wayne Sunday night after traveling from Peoria, Ariz., where the Padres hold Spring Training. The club begins its season on Thursday night at Great Lakes (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Before then, fans are invited to “Meet the Team Night” Wednesday at Parkview Field. Starting at 5 p.m., fans can watch the team take batting practice. Immediately after, players, coaches, and Johnny TinCap will be signing autographs and posing for pictures on the concourse. The event is free.

Opening Day at Parkview Field is set for Sunday, April 12 at 4:05 p.m. against the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays). Tickets are available online at TinCapsTickets.com, by phone at (260) 482-6400, or in person at the Parkview Field Ticket Office.

2015 TinCaps Roster Breakdown
Pitchers (13): Taylor Aikenhead; Payton Baskette; Yimmi Brasoban; Taylor Cox; Thomas Dorminy; Dinelson Lamet; Walker Lockett; Seth Lucio; Kyle McGrath; Ernesto Montas; Wilson Santos; Bryan Verbitsky; T.J. Weir
Catchers (2): Miguel Del Castillo; Jose Ruiz
Infielders (5): Felipe Blanco; Franchy Cordero; Duanel Jones; Trae Santos; Josh VanMeter
Outfielders (5): Henry Charles; Michael Gettys; Edwin Moreno; Franmil Reyes; Nick Torres