Druw Jones will be an outfielder for the Visalia Rawhide. Screengrab via Rawhide Twitter account.

With opening day just around the corner, the Visalia Rawhide announced its opening day roster this week, spotlighted by several up-and-coming stars in the Rawhide’s major league affiliate Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization.

Diamondback’s 1st pick in the 2022 draft (2nd overall), Druw Jones, is set to make his Rawhide debut when the team starts the season this Thursday against the Lake Elsinore Storm. Jones is the son of former big leaguer, rookie of the year, MLB All Star and World Series Champion Andruw Jones. Andrew played for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.

The Rawhide home opener is on Tuesday, April 11 against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Two of this year’s star players, Jones and middle infielder Manuel Pena, are set to make their debuts with the team. At 19, both players continue the trend of youthfulness on the Rawhide roster; last season the team held the youngest average age for both batters (20.4) and pitchers (20.8).

Jones spent all of last season recovering from a shoulder labrum tear on the first day of 2022 spring training.

Rawhide Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager Jill Gearin said both players, as well as the team, seem game ready for the start of the season this week.

“I don’t expect any holdbacks on Druw,” Gearin said. “I think there’s still a little bit of a progression where he might not be playing every single day, but I’m really excited to see him.”

As for Pena, Gearin, who saw him play with the Rawhide last season, said his development as a player will determine his success this year.

“He has a lot of maturity,” she said. “He just has a really smooth swing and a mature presence both in the infield at second base where I saw him last year and at the plate.”

The Rawhide will also introduce a new promotional calendar this year, featuring giveaways, family fun and veteran recognitions.

Promos include:

• Tuesday: Two-dollar Tuesdays – Two-dollar admission to the right field “pasture”
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• Wednesday: Brats, Brews and Bingo nights – Features discounts on brats, beer and free bingo for those in attendance
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• Thursday: Copa Days – The Rawhide “turn into” Los Torros de Visalia, celebrating cultural heritage at the ballpark
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• Fridays: Jersey giveaway – First 200 fans receive a different themed free jersey
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• Saturdays: “All American Saturdays” – Focuses on honoring veterans, reserves and retired military, as well as a once-a-month fireworks show
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• Sundays: Family Fun Days – Focuses specifically on family fun including more attractions for families and fun events for kids in attendance

 

The Rawhide will also host  “Girls Night Out,” on May 18, featuring local women-owned businesses at the ballpark, and the “Bacon and Beer Classic,” on Fathers Day (June 18), featuring all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink brats and beer, pairing local bacon dishes with Sam Adams Beer.

“Our assistant general manager who’s also one of the directors of ticketing said this is the best promotional schedule that he’s ever worked with,” Gearin said.

The Rawhide open a six-game homestand against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes starting with their home opener on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m.