Threshers Opening Night

The Clearwater Threshers will host the Dunedin Blue Jays at 6:30pm on Friday, April 6 in the 2012 home opener at Bright House Field. This season marks the 27th year that the Threshers have participated in Florida State League play, as they welcome back fans of all ages for another fabulous season of baseball in Clearwater.

Guests attending Friday night’s matchup are encouraged to take advantage of the all-new Tampa Bay Times Family Night promotion. Bring in a coupon found in the Times and receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of chips for just $25.

Additionally, all fans are welcomed to stay after the final pitch to enjoy an amazing post-game fireworks show, the first of many at Bright House Field this season.

Click to view the full

2012 Threshers Schedule.

The Clearwater Threshers have announced the team’s opening day roster for the 2012 season. With a majority of the 2011 squad headed to Double-A Reading, the Threshers once again inherit a large group of prospects graduated from Class-A Lakewood and Williamsport.

Highlighting new manager Chris Truby’s squad is left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle, Philadelphia’s first-round pick in 2010. Biddle, 20, finished with a 2.98 ERA and 124 strikeouts for the Lakewood BlueClaws last season.

Also joining Biddle in the rotation are left-handers Adam Morgan and Austin Wright, both of whom impressed at lower levels after being drafted in 2011. Rounding out the group are right-handers Brody Colvin and Perci Garner. Colvin posted a 4.71 ERA for Clearwater last season, while Garner makes the jump from Williamsport after finishing with a 1.20 ERA in 30 innings for the Crosscutters.

Taking over the primary catching duties for the Threshers is 2010 third-round pick Cameron Rupp. Rupp advances after a strong campaign in Lakewood where he hit .272 with 24 extra-base hits. Also expected to see time behind the plate for the Threshers are Bob Stumpo and Kyle Lafrenz.

Clearwater’s 2012 infield features a pair of former Threshers to go with several new faces. Jim Murphy, a Thresher in 2010, will man first base and be a middle-of-the-order bat after mashing 22 home runs for the BlueClaws last season. Jeremy Barnes returns after a solid 2011 showing and will be teamed up with newcomers Carlos Alonso, Edgar Duran, Cody Asche, and Albert Cartwright.

Returning to help patrol the outfield in 2012 are D’arby Myers and Brandon Tripp, who both spent time with the team in 2011. They will be joined by Miguel Alvarez, who spent the past season in Lakewood, as well as Pete Lavin, who makes the jump from Williamsport after hitting .314 in 32 games for the Crosscutters.

Click here to view the roster.