As Minor League camp gets underway, there appears to be no more fitting time to take an initial look at what the Double-A Trenton Thunder’s roster could look like on Opening Day. Some of these assignments can be virtually locked in stone, while others are completely up in the air and heavily dependent on spring performance.

Top organizational prospect Luis Severino will likely return to anchor the Thunder rotation to begin 2015 after tossing 25 innings for the club last season. It appears that last season’s breakout pitcher of the year, Jaron Long, will join him at the top of the rotation. All indications are that right-hander Caleb Cotham and left-handed Dan Camarena will return to Trenton as well. Rounding out the Thunder rotation will likely be Miguel Sulbaran, who earns the promotion after a solid season with High-A Tampa. Sulbaran came to the Yankees last season in exchange for Eduardo Nunez.

With a glut of pitchers competing for spots in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s bullpen, a few youngsters will inevitably get squeezed out, at least initially. Perhaps the biggest surprise in this projection is the thought that Jacob Lindgren could return to Trenton to begin the season. Lindgren dominated after being drafted in June, working his way to Double-A. With only a handful of appearances under his belt at the level, it makes sense for Lindgren to return. Despite spending time at Triple-A last year, it appears that Diego Moreno and Mark Montgomery are ticketed to head back to Trenton as well. James Pazos, Nick Goody, and Phil Wetherell should return after ending last season in the Thunder pen, while Alex Smith is in line to be promoted from Tampa to open the season. New addition Johnny Barbato will almost certainly round out the Thunder pen after being acquired from the Padres this offseason.

After missing most of 2013 and 204 due to Tommy John surgery, Kyle Higashioka projects to return to Trenton’s lineup in 2015. He seems likely to partner with Trent Garrison, who spent last season with the Tampa Yankees. Tyson Blaser, who has functioned as the team’s emergency catcher in the past, will probably be placed on Staten Island’s paper roster and be transferred in as needed.

Greg Bird may be the best all-around hitter in the Yankees system, and he will return to Trenton as the team’s everyday first baseman in 2015. Across the diamond from him will be Dante Bichette, Jr., a former first rounder who came into his own last season. Another former first round pick, Cito Culver, received a spring training invite and, if he shows he can hit this spring, could well be in line for a promotion to Trenton to start the year. After spending the majority of last season in Trenton, Dan Fiorito should have some role with the Thunder come Opening Day. With no clear option at second base, Fiorito could potentially fill the void – he has 28 games at the position. Another potential option is Ali Castillo, who, despite a solid season in Trenton, looks like he may get squeezed out of the Triple-A infield. Castillo would surely fall in behind non-roster invitee Culver, but could be a legitimate super-utility option on Opening Day. The final infield spot probably goes to Zach Wilson, a third baseman by trade who has experience in all four corners.

The Thunder outfield will likely ooze with potential in 2015, highlighted by top position prospect Aaron Judge. The former first round pick has been all but assured of beginning the season in Trenton after dominating Charleston and Tampa last year. After a late-season promotion, Jake Cave will return to ARM & HAMMER Park for 2015. The Yankees showed willingness to protect former top prospect Mason Williams from the Rule V draft by adding him to the 40-man roster, but that won’t be enough to earn him a spot in a crowded Triple-A outfield. Also crowded out of Scranton’s outfield is Ben Gamel, who was arguably the most valuable Thunder player last season.