Baseball comes back to Memphis Friday night and the Redbirds (4-2) hope to continue a hot start behind right fielder Oscar Taveras, their top prospect.
Taveras, who won the Midwest League's batting title in 2011, will look to lead his Redbirds team while also improving his own stock within the organization as an up-and-coming starter.
"Right now, Oscar Taveras is the number three overall prospect in the minors," said Mark Anderson, director of operations for the Memphis Redbirds.
Anderson said the recent selling of the team to its major league affiliate the St. Louis Cardinals should also excite fans about the new season.
"It's the first signs of spring," Anderson said. "And we have a beautiful ball park here In Memphis. It was named the Taj Mahal of Minor League Baseball by Baseball America."
The Redbirds' season opener was April 3 but their home opener will be Friday at 7:05 p.m. at AutoZone Park.
But Friday won't be the first opportunity fans have had to watch Taveras. Spectators watched the Dominican Republic native along with first round slugger Stephen Piscotty and speedy left fielder Randal Grinchuk take batting practice and field ground balls and routine pop-ups at the team's annual Bird Watch on March 31.
Anderson also expects prospects like Taveras to draw in crowds because he is primed to make a run at the Cardinals' right field discussion.
Redbirds' marketing assistant Ryan Slattery offered a different take on why locals should be excited for the team's upcoming season.
"Minor league baseball has a universal feel to it and it holds entertainment value," Slattery said. "There are lots of transitions going on this season and some high end talent, which I think will excite people."
Aside from promising players, the Redbirds will also offer numerous promotion nights, such as Bark in the Park on April 13 when spectators can bring their dogs to the game.
The team will also sponsor four bobblehead nights over the course of the season featuring greats such as Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha and Cardinals hall of famer Stan Musial.
The Redbirds ended the last season with a 69-75 record. They finished second in Pacific Coast League American Northern Division, missing the playoffs by one game.
Season tickets start as low as $700, giving fans access to all 72 home games. Individual game tickets can be purchased starting at $6 for access to the bluff.
