BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ricky Tiedemann, the Toronto Blue Jays' top prospect, will be the opening day starting pitcher for the Buffalo Bisons.
Tiedemann, the team's No. 1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will take the mound when Bisons open the 2024 season at 2:05 p.m. Friday at Sahlen Field. Tiedemann ranks No. 29 among all MLB prospects.
"It's exciting, just because I have a lot of guys that I was drafted with here, so it's kind of cool to be able to play with them, especially at the Triple-A level," Tiedemann said Thursday.
"You don't really stick together as you get higher into the ranks of pro ball, so it's really exciting for me to come out and play with the guys that I was drafted with, and even the guys that I haven't played with. I think we really have a special team this year, and if we can get everyone going at the same time, we'll be in a good spot. "
Tiedemann, 21, made his Triple-A debut on Sept. 22 last year against the Norfolk Tides. He threw four innings and recorded six strikeouts. The Long Beach, Calif., native made 15 minor league starts last year, with 11 of them coming in Double-A with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday afternoon's game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It's the first of a three-game homestand for the Bisons, who have a list of special promotions throughout the season.
The Bisons are teaming up with NASA to host a total solar eclipse event at Sahlen Field on April 8, with an educational, but also entertaining, program that begins at 1 p.m.
The Savannah Bananas will also stop at Sahlen Field for three games from July 5 to 7 as part of their touring schedule.
You can find more promotions on the Bisons website.
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