With solid talent aboard, Redbirds rev for opener

As the temperatures slowly start to rise and the sun begins peeking out from the clouds more often, the excitement surrounding another baseball season has begun.

And with a host of some of minor league baseball’s top prospects expected to make their way through AutoZone Park this season, the stir around the Redbirds is louder than normal.

“There’s quite a buzz around the office and I think the community is definitely getting fired up,” Redbirds general manager Ben Weiss said. “All of our marketing just started over the last two weeks. We’re starting to see the phones ring with a lot of questions, a lot of ticket purchasing going on. Things are looking really good.

“I think there’s a lot of buzz around the prospects and the team we’re going to have this year. I think the hard-core Cardinals fans and the people that follow baseball are seeing some of the potential names — Kolten Wong, (Oscar) Taveras; looks like Adron Chambers is going to come back.” Chambers was sent to the Redbirds by the Cardinals on Friday.

The Redbirds open the season Thursday at 7:05 p.m. when they host Oklahoma City.

During the winter, the St. Louis Cardinals were tabbed by Baseball America as having the top minor league farm system. And a lot of that talent is expected to come through Memphis this season.

Among those Redbirds fans are hoping to see is the Cardinals’ top prospect, Taveras, a 20-yearold, slick-hitting outfield- Opening Day: Thursday, 7:05 p.m. against Oklahoma City at AutoZone Park. er whom the Cardinals reassigned to their minor league camp Friday.

Memphis fans will, however, get to see last year’s f irst-round draft pick, pitcher Michael Wacha, who was the 18th player taken overall out of Texas A&M. After signing last summer, Wacha pitched at three levels, ending the season at Double-A Springfield. He is rated No. 6 on the Cardinals’ top 10 prospects list.

Expected to join him in Memphis is No. 4, LHP Trevor Rosenthal. No. 5, second baseman Wong, was sent down to the Redbirds on Friday.

The Redbirds front office is just as excited about what it has to offer its fans off the field. A beefed-up promotional calendar features 18 premium giveaways this year. Among the items are a Redbirds batting practice hat, a Charlie Lea Memphis Chicks hat, a 2006 St. Louis Cardinals World Series replica ring, a Redbirds piggy bank, and a gym bag.

One item that has garnered a lot of attention is the BBQ Bobblehead, which will be given away Aug. 16.

“It’s going to be a Red- birds player to be announced later,” Weiss said. “His arm is going to be bobbling holding a piece of barbecue and there’s going to be barbecue getting all over his face.”

The Redbirds will have a fireworks show every Friday night, which is also their Block Party night. New this year is their Twosday specials. On Tuesday nights, fans can purchase two-for-one tickets, as well as $2 hot dogs, $2 sodas and $2 popcorn.

Redbirds director of marketing Adam Goldberg said the team has also made improvements to the $2 million video board the team purchased last year. New to the Boardwalk this year is a pitching cage.