MANCHESTER, N.H. - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced their preliminary roster for the 2017 season. The roster features five of the Blue Jays top eight prospects (MLB.com), and three members of Toronto's 40-man roster.

Click here to view the full tentative Opening Day Roster. Please note that this is a projected roster and is subject to change.

"It's always a thrill to learn about the future MLB stars we'll get to see in New Hampshire this year," said Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw. "Especially with the recent performance of [former Fisher Cat and World Baseball Classic MVP] Marcus Stroman, we can't wait to get the season started and see who's next."

The pitching rotation will be headlined by Blue Jays No. 2 prospect Sean Reid-Foley (a first-round pick in 2014), No. 6 prospect Conner Greene (a seventh-round pick in 2013), and No. 8 prospect Jon Harris (a first-round pick in 2015).

New Hampshire's lineup will feature former college football standout and No. 3 prospect Anthony Alford, as well as No. 4 prospect Richard Urena, who set a Fisher Cats record with three triples in one game last August 10. Along with No. 14 prospect Harold Ramirez, Alford and Urena have secured spots on the Blue Jays 40-man roster.

Ranked No. 6 among MLB catching prospects (MLB.com), Reese McGuire will share backstop duties with Rafael Lopez, who brings major league experience from his time with the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

Roemon Fields and Jonathan Davis will provide speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Fields finished second in the Eastern League with 44 stolen bases last season, while Davis swiped 33 bags in the Florida State League, also good for second most.

Jonathan Diaz will return to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium after a five-year hiatus, having played 297 games in a Fisher Cats uniform from 2008-2012. Diaz was a member of New Hampshire's 2011 Eastern League Championship team, and played for the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

The Fisher Cats open the 2017 season this Thursday, April 6, versus the recently renamed Binghamton Rumble Ponies (AA-New York Mets). Single-game tickets are on sale now at nhfishercats.com or over the phone at (603) 641-2005. Fans will have the first chance to experience the stadium's new plaza, pavilion, tiki bar and live music stage.

On July 12, the team will host the 2017 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Classic at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, featuring the top prospects from each of the league's 12 teams. All-Star tickets are available through the purchase of any Fisher Cats Ticket Plan.

For a full schedule and more information on the Fisher Cats, visit nhfishercats.com.

Posted 4/3/17