For the first time in two seasons, the Swift Current 57's head into opening day of the WCBL season without the status of defending-league champions.

Swift Current of course won the 2016 title as the Indians, then completed the back-to-back bid in 2017 in Year 1 as the 57's.

Coming off an exit in the quarter-finals in 2018 at the hands of the league-finalist Regina Red Sox, it'll be nice to have some of that past championship experience back on the roster.

Pitcher Ryo Takenaka returns to Swift Current after a two-year hiatus from the WCBL, having last played in 2016.

"That was a very, very amazing year. I didn't get to play a lot, but I was able to learn a lot from these amazing players that I was able to play with," said Takenaka. "Now I'm back, ready to get a ring - my second ring - and get another championship."

As a Freshman at the University of Maryland back in 2016, the product of Richmond, BC logged just six innings of work with the Indians over seven games.

Takenaka had a 7.50 earned-run-average, striking out five batters, and walking seven with Swift Current.

Despite the small sample size of work, Takenaka said he learned a lot from fan-favourite ace Bobby St. Pierre in his first season in the southwest.

"He's always good with pressure on," Takenaka noted. "Whenever he goes on the mound, he shows a lot of confidence, and that's one thing that I learned from him - in any type of situation you're supposed to show your confidence and pitch with what you've got."

Now, Takenaka is a Senior at Sterling College in Kansas, and said head coach Joe Carnahan was happy to have a familiar face and veteran presence in the bullpen.

"He was very excited to have me back. I think that with me being a Senior, I think I can show some type of leadership and help the team out."

As for his arsenal of pitches, Takenaka says he has a four-seam fastball, sinker, splitter, and a slider, and prides himself in his middle-to-late-inning work.

"I'm a middle relief guy or I can be a late inning guy, but whenever we get into a pinch and trouble situation, I come in and shut it down," said Tanaka, who noted that the importance of a role like his could be tested early and often, as the 57's play their 56 regular season games over just 69 days.

"Especially early in the season, there's still pitchers coming in, I think for me it's to save the starters arms and pitch a lot of innings as much as possible."

A chunk of the roster is still playing with their respective college teams, and will be reporting north of the border in due time. That includes fellow league champion Kiel Krumwiede (2017), who will be heading into his third summer with Swift Current.

However, for the guys that are already here, Takenaka is excited to see what the group has the potential of achieving.

"From what I see, I think there's a lot of guys that can swing the bat, and pitchers that have some good command and good off-speed pitches. I'm very excited to see some good competition."

The season and home-opener is Wednesday night at Mitchell Field, as the 57's host the Weyburn Beavers at 7:05 p.m.

2019 Roster Breakdown

Familiarity

There's a decent amount of carry-over from last season

Familiar faces include:

  • Isiah Campa - Pitcher
  • Garrett Hawkins - Pitcher
  • Ryo Takenaka - Pitcher (2016)
  • Aaron Pugh - Pitcher
  • Kiel Krumwiede - Pitcher/Infielder
  • Jared Binsfield - Outfielder

Another two players, hometown pitcher Jackson Fraser and Saskatoon-born pitcher Connor Sparks, were listed on the 2018 roster, though didn't make an appearance for the team. They look to be set for 2019 showings, however.

Meanwhile, the newest addition to the coaching staff, joining Carnahan and assistant coach Craig Kilshaw, is Ruben Rodriguez. The new assistant coach played in the infield for the 57's in 2018.

By The Numbers

It's once again a roster with geographic diversity.

An even dozen different states are represented on the roster this season (Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Illinois, Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Nevada, Maryland).

As well, players from five different provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario) will grace the newly constructed clubhouse at Mitchell Field.

The roster includes:

  • 17 Pitchers
  • 2 Catchers
  • 8 Infielders
  • 4 Outfielders

Among those with their eligibility listed, the roster breaks down fairly even across the board, though a slight nod is given to the underclassmen:

  • 10 Freshmen
  • 6 Sophomores
  • 5 Juniors
  • 7 Seniors