Palm Springs, Calif. – The Frontier League announced their opening day rosters on Thursday with 18 CWL alumni featured on rosters. The California Winter League serves as the official winter league of the Frontier League- the largest and longest running Major League Baseball Partner League.
CWL alumni are represented across nine Frontier League teams. CWL 2024 batting champion Alejandro Lara will debut for the Windy City ThunderBolts on Thursday in Chicago. He helped lead the Washington Blue Sox to the CWL Championship Game with a .432 BA and 16 RBI in Palm Springs.
Another 2024 Blue Sox alum Nick Gonzalez joins the defending Frontier League West Division Champs Evansville Otters.
Multiple former CWL players from past seasons continue their careers in the Frontier League. Robert Chayka returns to the Washington Wild Things for a second season after starring in 2023 with a .293 BA and 43 RBI in Washington. Chayka played for the Canada A’s in the 2023 CWL hitting for a .400 BA.
The Lake Erie Crushers return CWL alumni Scout Knotts and Vincent Byrd Jr. Both played in the Coachella Valley in 2023.
Veteran Peyton Issacson has become a Frontier League mainstay after playing in the 2020 CWL. He posted a .290 BA with 42 RBI last season with the Windy City ThunderBolts. Issacson now starts 2024 with the New York Boulders for his fifth season in the Frontier League.
Other notable names include Brendan Knoll earning a roster spot on the four-time Frontier League champions Schaumburg Boomers. The righty pitcher helped the Alberta Grizzly win the 2024 CWL Championship with a 1.47 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 19 innings of work.
Pitchers Shane Gustafson and Ayura Kobayashi will both fortify the Florence Y’alls pitching staff after shining in the 2024 CWL.
Frontier League opening day is May 9 or May 10 for all 16 teams as they start a 96 game season.
Registration for the 2025 California Winter League is now open online. The 2025 CWL will hold two sessions with session one from January 20 to February 2 and session two from February 3 to February 17. Players may register for one or both sessions.
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The California Winter League is the longest running professional showcase league of its kind. Since its inaugural season in 2010, the CWL has seen over 900 of its players sign professional contracts. Each year, it is the premier destination for free agent baseball players who are looking to be scouted and signed.
Stay up-to-date with the California Winter League at californiawinterleague.com or by following the CWL on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
For more information, visit californiawinterleague.com or call (760) 778-4487.
