Salt River Rafters open season tonight in Arizona Fall League

The Salt River Rafters open Arizona Fall League play tonight against Scottsdale at 9:35 p.m. Eastern time at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

High Single-A Potomac's Tripp Keister is the manager of the team. Keister said that Oscar Hernandez, a Diamondbacks prospect, will do the bulk of the catching, and that Nationals farmhand Spencer Kieboom will do some catching and get to DH to build at-bats.

Kieboom is coming off a concussion this recently completed season, so Keister said he will get a lot of at-bats and maybe less defensive play. He feels it's more important he gets at-bats but also because Hernandez is the priority catcher.

"I'm glad to see Spencer healthy and back at it," Keister said. "He's lost 15-20 lbs., but he's getting body in good shape. He's excited to go. I'm excited to have him."

Keister said right-hander John Simms will be a starter.

"He had an abbreviated spring training, so this league will help him get back at it," Keister said. "He will be able to pick up where he left off at the end of the year and continue his year."

Right-hander Abel de los Santos, left-hander Nick Lee and right-hander Dakota Bacus will all be relievers.

"I have all these guys before, so I know what they can do and I know what they are about," he said. "I'm looking forward to being back with those guys."

Keister has at least eight left-handed hitters in the lineup with several power hitters, including his own third baseman, Drew Ward. Chris Bostick will play second base.

"We got a bunch of lefties and a lot of power, too," Keister said. "It's fun to watch BP. It looks like these guys can hit out of the ballpark. Looks like we are heavily left-handed, I noticed at BP, a very athletic group. Middle infield looks solid with a mix of speed and athleticism. Power in the corners, which is how you would design a club."

The Rafters will work out of the Colorado side and Surprise will work on the Arizona side of the facility at Talking Stick. Surprise's facility is being renovated, so the Sagueros will play their games at the Salt River site, which houses the Rockies and Diamondbacks during spring training.

Diamondbacks right-hander Yoan Lopez will start tonight's opener for Salt River.

Keister said Bostick will start at second base tonight, while Ward will make his initial start at third base and Kieboom will catch on Wednesday. Simms will piggy back for the Rafters on Thursday, pitching three innings after the starter is done.