Dodgers Digest Breaks Down Oklahoma City Comets 2026 Triple-A Roster

The Oklahoma City Comets enter 2026 with a roster construction that should feel familiar to anyone who has watched this affiliate closely: a defensive backbone built around elite up-the-middle talent, a corner infield propped up by experienced big leaguers, and a bullpen in the middle of a significant makeover. Jared Massey of Dodgers Digest broke it all down in a March 12 preview, projecting what could be the most balanced Comets squad in recent memory.

This marks the franchise's 11th consecutive season as the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, and Scott Hennessey returns for his second year as manager. The Comets have been a reliable proving ground for Dodgers prospects and a soft landing spot for veterans working their way back to the majors, and the 2026 version leans into both roles simultaneously.

The Defense Up the Middle Defines This Team

The single most compelling thing about the projected 2026 Comets is how they're built defensively. Massey's preview identifies Noah Miller as the anchor, writing that he is "arguably the best defender in the organization" and projecting that he "should return to captain the defense at shortstop." That's not a throwaway phrase in a system as talent-rich as the Dodgers'. Miller's presence at short alone changes what Oklahoma City can do with its pitching staff.

Center field provides another genuine weapon. Michael Siani brings what Dodgers Digest describes as a "glove in center" that "gives the Dodgers another strong defender up the middle." Pairing Siani with Miller means the Comets should be able to cover considerable ground in the Pacific Coast League, where the ballpark dimensions and offensive environments at some parks can punish bad outfield defense.

Prospects and Veterans Fill the Corners

Alex Freeland is "likely to return" at second base, and Ryan Ward, who cracked a two-run homer on September 19, 2025, in one of his most-watched highlights of last season, figures to hold down first. The corner outfield spots are where the prospect infusion gets interesting. Dodgers Digest projects Zach Ehrhard in left and James Tibbs III in right, describing both as "highly touted prospects" who "should join them." Getting Ehrhard and Tibbs III extended Triple-A at-bats against quality arms is exactly the kind of developmental runway the Dodgers need to move them toward the major leagues.

At the corners of the infield, the organization is leaning on its depth of experienced players. Nick Senzel slots in at third, and Keston Hiura gets designated hitter duties in the projected lineup. Massey's preview describes both as "veterans with major league experience" who "could man the corners of the infield," and that blend of service time alongside younger players like Ehrhard and Tibbs III is the kind of clubhouse chemistry the Dodgers have cultivated at this level for years.

Behind the plate, Eliezer Alfonzo draws the Opening Day starting nod in the Dodgers Digest projection.

The Projected Opening Day Lineup

Massey offered a "just for fun" look at what Oklahoma City's Opening Day lineup could resemble, and it's worth presenting in full given how clearly it illustrates the team's construction:

• LF: Zach Ehrhard
• RF: James Tibbs III
• 2B: Alex Freeland
• 1B: Ryan Ward
• 3B: Nick Senzel
• DH: Keston Hiura
• CF: Michael Siani
• SS: Noah Miller
• C: Eliezer Alfonzo
• P: River Ryan

Massey's summary after running through it: "That's a strong group of guys that should be fun to watch. Some former and future major leaguers that should produce on offense and defense." Hard to argue with that framing. The lineup has enough veteran presence to not crater during cold stretches, and enough legitimate prospect upside that any hot month from Ehrhard or Tibbs III could draw serious organizational attention.

A Bullpen in Transition

The pitching staff is where the most notable structural changes are happening. Dodgers Digest reports that both Kyle Hurt and Bobby Miller "will transition to relief roles," a significant shift for two pitchers who have worked as starters in the system. The move adds name-brand arms to a pen that could otherwise be an organizational afterthought.

Hurt and Miller figure to be joined by Paul Gervase, Ronan Kopp, Jose Rodriguez, and Carlos Duran, giving the Comets a bullpen with real depth on paper. The addition that stands out most, though, is lefty Antoine Kelly, who was signed out of the Rockies' organization this offseason. Massey notes that Kelly "has looked good in spring training and could add another hard-throwing southpaw to the OKC pen," a development worth tracking as the season progresses. Left-handed relief depth is always at a premium, and Kelly's spring performance suggests he could carve out a meaningful role.

River Ryan gets the projected Opening Day starting assignment, which would be his most prominent stage in an Oklahoma City uniform if it holds.

At Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

The Comets play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark at 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive in Oklahoma City, and the 2026 promotional calendar is loaded. Fan Fest is scheduled for March 14, and the team has already announced Cosmic Baseball coming to Oklahoma City on April 4. Competitive eater Joey Chestnut is slated to attend a Comets game on May 5, and the Banana Ball event has also been announced. Single-game tickets are on sale now, and the team has released its full promotional schedule including theme nights, group offers, and giveaways. The Comets can be reached by phone at (405) 218-1000.

The Dodgers' full minor-league structure places Oklahoma City at the top of a system that also includes the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, the High-A Great Lakes Loons, and the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers, with rookie-level teams in the Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League rounding out the pipeline. Players promoted through those levels arrive in Oklahoma City ready for the final developmental step before the majors, which is exactly the situation Ehrhard and Tibbs III find themselves in now.

Eleven seasons into this affiliation, the Comets remain one of the more watchable Triple-A rosters in the Pacific Coast League. The combination of Miller's elite defense, the prospect firepower in the corner outfield, and a bullpen being rebuilt around hard-throwing arms gives Oklahoma City a real identity heading into 2026.