MLB Opening Day is right around the corner and the minor leagues will begin their seasons soon after. The Double-A Portland Sea Dogs will open their season on Friday, April 3, against the New York Yankees' Double-A squad, the Somerset Patriots.
Here, we'll project the Sea Dogs' Opening Day roster, which could look quite different than last season's after prospect promotions and trades. We'll also include some predictions for the coming season.
Sea Dogs 2026 roster projections and predictions: Miguel Bleis 20/20 season, elite defense
Catchers: Nate Baez, Raudelis Martinez, Ronald Rosario
The Red Sox went from having zero catching depth throughout the minor leagues last season to having too many cooks in the kitchen this year. If it weren’t for an injury to Brooks Brannon, this would be even more complicated.
Ronald Rosario was here in 2025. He struggled at times both behind the plate and with the bat. However, the right-handed hitter also had some big moments (including a scorching-hot July).
Raudelis Martinez is one of the new additions this season. The left-handed hitter doesn’t have much power, but he doesn’t strike out, and he can get on base. Martinez is the best defensive catcher of the group, and he’ll probably get the most starts behind the dish of the three options listed here.
Nate Baez is another new addition. He’s a good defensive catcher with decent offensive projection. The right-handed hitter can also play first base, where he'll likely play quite a bit.
First Base: Nate Baez and Raudelis Martinez (again)
Not much to say here, as Baez and Martinez were mentioned in the catcher group.
Second Base: Marvin Alcantara
Marvin Alcantara is one of the best defenders in the system — pitchers, coaches, and fellow position players have praised him for this. He’s also gotten praise for his leadership. While he doesn't boast much power, Alcantara’s no slouch with the bat either. The right-handed hitter doesn’t strike out much and is a good table-setter for some of the heavy hitters.
Third Base: Ahbram Liendo
Ahbram Liendo is another one of the best defenders in the system. He made countless web gems all over the infield last year, but should get a majority of his playing time at third base with Alcantara at second base.
After ditching switch-hitting and becoming a full-time right-handed hitter last season, Liendo had the best offensive year of his career. He also stole a career-high 42 bases. First big bold prediction here, Liendo sets another career-high in that category and swipes over 50.
Shortstop: Franklin Arias
Franklin Arias is one of the best defenders in the system (subscription required). Yes, I said that three times in a row, and yes, Portland’s infield defense should be bonkers.
The right-handed hitter went from Single-A to Double-A last season, and could find his way to Triple-A in 2026 (despite the fact that he won’t turn 21 until after the season). Arias isn’t a big power bat, but he could reach 15-plus homers this season.
Outfield: Miguel Bleis, Nelly Taylor, Yophery Rodriguez, Caden Rose, Juan Chacon
Miguel Bleis, Nelly Taylor, and Yophery Rodriguez are some of the best defenders in the system (okay, maybe the entire Portland defense is going to be elite).
Bleis has had issues with consistency, but every few weeks, he’ll go on a run that showcases his five-tool abilities. Still just 22, there’s no reason to doubt he can’t put it all together. My big Bleis prediction is that he'll be the right-handed hitter gives us a 20/20 season.
Taylor draws walks, steals bases, and has sneaky power. The left-handed hitter has also been praised for his leadership.
Rodriguez was acquired via trade last season, and although he struggled at times, he impressed in his debut season. The lefty was electric in the outfield and on the base paths. After a full offseason, fans should expect big things.
Caden Rose has good raw power and can swipe a few bags. He’s going to be the fourth outfielder, but he’ll still steal the show a few times. Juan Chacon is a good defender with decent offensive projections. He finished the year strong after a slow start.
UTIL: Max Ferguson, Drew Ehrhard, Hudson White
Max Ferguson comes up with some big games, monster hits, good defense, and plenty of steals.
Drew Ehrhard gets limited playing time, but tends to come through. He's mainly a first baseman at this point. He’s also going to get some innings in on the mound (seven total appearances over his first two seasons).
Hudson White has been primarily a catcher, but he does have limited time at first base. I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s a bigger role for him until Brooks Brannon returns from injury.
Starting pitchers: Jake Bennett (LHP), Hayden Mullins (LHP), John Holobetz (RHP), Eduardo Rivera (LHP), Dalton Rogers (LHP), Shea Sprague (LHP), Blake Wehunt (RHP), Gage Ziehl (RHP)
Portland’s pitching staff is loaded. Jake Bennett was part of a big trade, and his velocity was up this spring. Hayden Mullins somehow snuck through the Rule 5 Draft, and racks up punchouts. John Holobetz has elite command and was phenomenal in his short Double-A stint to end 2025.
Dalton Rogers was surprisingly dominant last year (needs to limit base runners a bit more), and Shea Sprague was great outside of a few blowup outings. Blake Wehunt is poised for a bounce-back season, and Gage Ziehl is an intriguing new piece.
Eduardo Rivera became a bit of a household name thanks to a strong showing in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. The lefty has fantastic extension, a great fastball, and intriguing secondaries. Bold prediction: Rivera flirts with a top 100 prospect spot at some point in 2026.
Relief pitchers: Reidis Sena (RHP), Cooper Adams (RHP), Max Carlson (RHP), Michael Sansone (LHP), Joe Vogatsky (RHP), Danny Kirwin (RHP)
Reidis Sena was seriously underappreciated last season, and he should receive a bit more attention in 2026. Danny Kirwin can eat innings out of the bullpen and had a fantastic Double-A debut (two runs over five innings) to end 2025.
Max Carlson can throw frisbees, Joe Vogatsky had a strong organizational debut last season, and Michael Sansone was phenomenal in 2025. Cooper Adams posted a 0.69 ERA over 26 innings with Portland last year and should anchor the bullpen to start 2026.