Left-hander Justin Nicolino and right-handers Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Sanchez lead the starting rotation as perhaps the best top-three in the entire Midwest League. Joining them and not to be overlooked are 2011 draft picks Anthony DeSclafani and David Rollins, while the bullpen will feature 2011 Lugnut Brandon Berl as well as other intriguing arms like Jesse Hernandez, Blake MacFarland, Ajay Meyer and Tyler Ybarra, though Meyer and Ybarra could be starters periodically throughout the year as well.

Catching-wise, I’m somewhat surprised that Carlos Perez will be returning. Though he did have a down year for the Lugnuts in 2011 getting used to both the colder weather and full-season ball, I would have that he would have been promoted anyway to Dunedin given the departure of A.J. Jimenez.

Overall, there’s a great group of fielders, as notable prospects Chino Vega and Kellen Sweeney will man the left side of Lansing’s infield while Chris Hawkins and Kevin Pillar will patrol the outfield.

Here’s the full list:

Pitchers

RHP Javier Avendano

RHP Brandon Berl

RHP Kramer Champlin

RHP Anthony DeSclafani

RHP Jesse Hernandez

RHP Blake MacFarland

RHP Ajay Meyer

LHP Justin Nicolino

LHP Carlos Pina (DL)

LHP David Rollins

RHP Aaron Sanchez

RHP Noah Syndergaard

LHP Tyler Ybarra

Catchers

Carlos Perez

Pierce Rankin

Infielders

1B K.C. Hobson

1B Kevin Patterson

2B Jonathan Berti

3B Kellen Sweeney

3B Bryson Namba

3B/SS Andy Burns

SS Chino Vega

Outfielders

LF Christopher Hawkins

CF Kevin Pillar

CF Kenny Wilson

RF Markus Brisker

-JM

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Drew Hutchison, Deck McGuire, Chad Jenkins and Joel Carreno all return to the rotation, and all four hurlers will be knocking on the major-league door by season’s end. Right-hander Ryan Tepera is the only new starter after making 23 starts for High-A Dunedin in 2011.

A.J. Jimenez, considered the best defensive catcher in the Jays’ minor league system, makes his Double-A debut after putting together a breakout year on both sides of the ball with Dunedin last season. Brian Jeroloman, who spent the majority of last season with Triple-A Las Vegas, will return to New Hampshire to be the backup.

The infield will look very familiar, as all the players outside shortstop Ryan Goins were with the Fisher Cats last year. One new addition from outside the organization is first baseman Koby Clemens, a true power hitter that is indeed the son of former Blue Jays pitcher and Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.

Outside of John Tolisano, a second baseman that can dabble in the outfield, the Fisher Cats’ outfield will be made up entirely of players who spent all or most of the 2011 campaign with High-A Dunedin: Brian Van Kirk, Brad McElroy, Brad Glenn and familiar face Justin Jackson, who appeared in two separate stints with the Fisher Cats last season.

Here’s the full list:

Pitchers

RHP Drew Hutchison

RHP Deck McGuire

RHP Chad Jenkins

RHP Joel Carreno

RHP Ryan Tepera

RHP Yohan Pino

RHP Ronald Uviedo

LHP Evan Crawford

LHP Danny Farquhar

RHP Boomer Potts

RHP Matt Daly

RHP Fernando Hernandez

LHP Aaron Loup

Catchers

A.J. Jimenez

Brian Jeroloman

Infielders

1B Mike McDade

1B Koby Clemens

2B John Tolisano

SS Ryan Goins

3B Kevin Howard

3B Mark Sobolewski

SS Jonathan Diaz

Outfielders

LF Brian Van Kirk

CF Brad McElroy

RF Brad Glenn

OF Justin Jackson

-JM

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