The 2026 season for the Single-A Hill City Howlers begins Thursday.
First things first, the team underwent a rebrand in the offseason, transitioning from the Lynchburg Hillcats to the Hill City Howlers. Personally, I love it. They just sound more ferocious. The Howlers released a preliminary roster Tuesday. Here are the active players we have so far:
Pitchers:
Eudry Alcantara RHP, Jerfis Alfaro RHP, Harrison Bodendorf LHP, Wes Burton RHP, Luke Fernandez RHP, Miguel Flores LHP, Ettore Giulianelli RHP, Nelson
Keljo LHP, Aidan Major RHP, Will McCausland RHP, Chase Mobley RHP, Joey Oakie RHP, Angel Perez RHP, Zane Petty RHP, Jacob Zibin RHP, Keegan Zinn RHP.
Analysis:
All eyes will be on top pitching prospect Joey Oakie as the headliner of this starting rotation, and rightfully so after his extremely promising finish to 2025. I’ll be interested to see what development former 10th round pick Jacob Zibin has made after pitching the entire 2025 campaign healthy for the first time in his career. Aidan Major, a 2024 fourth round pick, will be making his pro debut after missing last season with Tommy John surgery. Chase Mobley earned a huge bonus from Cleveland in 2024 and has a high ceiling, but likely will be a long developmental project.
Catchers:
Tyler Howard RHH, Victor Izturis LHH, Cannon Peebles SH.
Analysis:
I don’t see a ton here in terms of catching prospects, but Howard (11th round) and Peebles (17th round) were both 2025 draft picks by Cleveland while Izturis is finally making his full-season debut after three years in Arizona.
Infielders:
Luis De La Cruz SH 1B, Dauri Fernandez SH SS/3B, Anthony Martinez LHH 1B, Johnathan Martinez SH 2B, Yaikel Mijares SH 3B, Riley Nelson 1B LHH, Gabriel Rodriguez LHH SS.
Analysis:
Talk about a youth movement. The big names here are Dauri Fernandez and Gabriel Rodriguez. Fernandez had an extremely impressive 2025 campaign and could get a rocket strapped to him if his development continues in the same trajectory while Rodriguez has continued steady production and looks like he has the strong defensive chops to stay at shortstop. Nelson and Martinez also are interesting college bats from the 2025 draft.
Outfielders:
Robert Arias LHH CF, Juneiker Caceres LHH RF, Yeiferth Castillo LHH LF, Yerlin Luis SH LF, Jose Pirela LHH RF.
Analysis:
The oldest player in this group is Luis at an ancient 20 years old, incredible. Juneiker Caceres made a name for himself by raking a both Arizona and Lynchburg last season, but don’t forget about Robert Arias and Yeiferth Castillo. Arias has been an on-base machine his first two seasons, walking more than he struck out while Castillo has some sneaky power, blasting five home runs in Arizona last season despite standing just 5-foot-8.
Hill City is home of Cleveland’s youth movement, with prominent teenage infield, pitching and outfield prospects all getting huge full-season opportunities. Many of the high-end prospects may be on the other three full-season squads, but we’re getting a tremendous preview of the future of Cleveland’s offense and pitching with this team.
Which players are catching your eye as the Single-A season starts? Tell us in the comments below:
