Nick Yorke Is More Than Just A Hitter
By Rodger M. Wood
In the second game of a doubleheader May 30th against Myrtle Beach Pelicans' RHP prospect Richard Gallardo, hitting a mere 195 BA, Nick Yorke's bat suddenly exploded for a double and a single in 3 AB, igniting a 5-game hitting streak, with 10 hits for next 15 AB, including 3 doubles and a triple..
It took the 19 -year old Salem Red Sox 2B just 24 games into the 2021 season to adjust to the older Low A - pitchers and start proving that Red Sox chief baseball officer, Clair Bloom, was right when he predicted stardom for the Boston #1 (17th overall) pick in the 2020 Draft, "We love this kid's bat, and think this youngster has a chance to be a special bat, who is going to play the infield."
Nick Yorke Started Blistering the Ball May 30th
While Yorke finished his Archbishop Mitty (San Jose CA) amateur career hitting 457 with 134 hits, including 49 extra base hits, 77 RBI in 94 games, a shoulder injury during his junior year in 2019 relegating him to designated hitter, and eventually requiring surgery, and a COVID shortened five game season limited the number of games scouts could see him play the field and probably discouraged some teams from drafting him in a early round. The Red Sox still thought the youngster would not be available if they had waited longer to pick him in the draft.
Yorke Goes to the Plate Knowing What Pitch He Wants to Hit
Several other scouts agreed with Bloom's assessment. Before the draft, he was rated one of the best prep hitters on the West Coast, and by Baseball America, the 96th best prospect entering the draft, by MLB Pipeline 139th, and FanGraph the 165th. The key to hitting is a player's approach at the plate. Boston Red Sox scouts compared his approach to Kevin Youkilis', Baseball America to Toronto Blue Jays' Cavin Biggio's.
Explaining why he thought the Red Sox drafted him in the first round, Yorke told MLB Pipeline, "I'm more of a blue collar, put - your-head down, go-to-work kind of a guy. Wherever I played ball, I played my hardest and the Red Sox fortunately saw me at one of those times and the rest is just what happened."
He was committed to Arizona State before the draft but the Red Sox changed his mind with a $2.7 million dollar signing bonus. A month shy of his 19th birthday, the Red Sox started him off working out with the parent club in 2021 Spring Training . Red Sox manager Alex Cora gave him a chance to play in a couple games with the big club. He reached base 5 of his first 6 AB, and hit 231 in 16 major league AB, including a double off major league pitcher Matt Hall. Cora .was impressed with the youngster's performance, work ethic and demeanor. While he was a shortstop in high school, the Red Sox, feeling his arm range, and speed made him a better fix at a different position, decided to convert him to 2B.
Nick Yorke Can Make the Throws at 2B
He has more than a designated hitter potential - showing some speed in 72 GP at Salem, he has stolen 11 bases and is exhibiting some saviness and wider.range at 2B. He turns a nice double play and has the instincts and athleticism to be a good position player.The fear that his arm strength has not returned after his shoulder injury is not been supported by his performance.
Nick Yorke Is a Good Fit at 2B
In games against the FredNats in May, June, July, I sat on the 3B side of the stands hoping to get a shot of Nick following through on a full swing with his face looking toward my camera. In the plate appearances those games,he swung a compact swing, took the pitchers deep into the count, and used the full field. He went to the plate with a strategy and seemingly anticipated some of the pitches thrown by the pitcher. He was a 19 -year hitter who was far better prepared for the pitcher's arsenal than most the other older players on the field.
Since that hot May 30th Sunday afternoon, Yorke went on a torrid hitting streak, 348 BA, HR, 7 RBI in 26 GP in June, 358 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI in July, and 386 BA, 5 HR, 13 RBI 14 GP in August. In 72 GP, 276 AB, 326 PA, the 2021 season, he's hitting 312 BA, 8 HR, 40 RBI, and 471 SLG. His super talent is starting to blossom and he is proving himself to be more than just a hitter - he is showing more leadership qualities and making the tougher plays at 2B. As Red Sox management predicted, Nick Yorke is now showing he has a "special bat" and can can play 2B.
Almost Ready for Coors Field Elehuis Montero, Hartford Yard Goats
by Rodger M. Wood
Surprisingly, especially with Adley Rutschmann, and so many other top Orioles and Rockies prospects on the field, It didn't take me but an inning to figure out which ball player in the Hartford Yard Goats/ Bowie Bay Sox game last Sunday I should feature in this article.
In the top of the first inning, a 6 -3, number three hitter in the Yard Goats' batting order stepped in the batter's box, set himself into a powerful stance, and looked over a couple pitch offerings from the talented Bay Sox right-handed starter, RHP Blaine Knight. On the third pitch, the 22 year old's bat exploded in a swing, driving the ball thirty feet above the left center field fence, far into the sky, maybe even into its own orbit circling high above the earth.
Elehuis Montero Hits 1st Inning Homerun
Later in the game. after making a strong presence with some good plays at 3B, and driving in 2 runs with a 4th inning single, the young Dominican hit a second mighty HR blast in the top of sixth inning, which convinced me that this batter, Elehuis Montero, was definitely my story that game.
The St. Louis Cardinals' first signed this then 16 year old talent to a $300,000 contract and assigned him to play rookie ball at DSL Cardinals in 2015.-2016, and GCL Cardinals in 2017. Although he finished the last 24 games of the 2018 season at Fast A Palm Beach Cardinals, he started showing his impressive potential in the 103 games he played with the
Low A - Peoria Chiefs the 2018 season, hitting 322 BA, 15 HR, 69 RBI, for which he was named the Class A Midwest League MVP.
Elehuis Sets Low for Groundballs at 3B
Tthe youngster suffered a setback in the 2019 season when the Cardinals rushed him past more seasoning at Fast A - Palm Beach to the AA - Springfield Cardinals where he was injured and hit only 188 BA in 59 games. Disappointed in those results and and wanting an established superstar at their hot corner, In February, 2021, the St. Louis Cardinals included Elehuis Montero in a trade to the Colorado Rockies for their all star 3B Nolan Arenado.
While understanding he was not ready for his first AA - test, and the pandemic layoff in 2020 hindered his development, the Rockies still had to be worried even more about their big investment in this young prospect when at the end of this past June, Elehuis was hitting a measly 224 BA in his second try against the older, savvy AA - pitchers. Scouts were reporting back that he did not have a plan or an approach to hit the upper level pitchers, had to improve his pitch recognition, and make his swing more compact.I
Elehuis Has a Rifle for an Arm
Starting in July, Elehuis must have started applying his hard learned AA - lessons to his play because he started to hit more consistently, including 10 HR and 23 RBI in 21 games against good AA - pitchers, Jose Butto, Blaine Knight, David Lebron, Cody Sedlock, Elvis Luciano, Kutter Crawford, and Matthew Kent. It didn't matter if he was facing a left handed or right handed pitcher. He hit a HR against savvy veteran LHP Matthew Kent in early July, hit the ball early and late in the count, and hit a pitcher's best stuff..He was hitting for average and power with a 284 BA, with 18 HR, and 54 RBI in 250 AB.
Elehuis Runs Home After a Big Blast HR
The scouting evaluation in the Baseball America (BA) "2020 Prospect Handbook",reported,"While he is a strong, physical hitter, with excellent hand eye coordination, bat speed, and raw power," the Rockies still have not decided where they will put him on the field. So far in 2021, they have been using him as a DH, at 3B, and 1B. BA also reported, that "he had a plus arm for third base, but his size limits his range and makes him an average fielder likely to move to first base."
Rockies Aren't Sure 3B Is His Position
On one play that Sunday, Elehuis made a Brooks Robinson type dive for a hard hit shot over the 3B bag just inside the foul line. He covered the ground at 3B, cutting off balls to the shortstop, stayed down low on the ground balls and threw to first base with a rifle arm. Although a dominant presence at 3B that game, time will tell where Rockies management will choose to put him, In any event, he's more than just a DH and could turn out to be a good fix at 3B or 1B.
Elehuis Reacts to a Popup Hit to HIs Right at 3B
Simultaneous to Elehuis' rebirth at the plate at the beginning of July, the Yard Goats began to win more ball games. They were 18 - 43 W - L record and in last place in the AA - NE Northwest League at the beginning of the month, but in the last 12 games mostly against a strong second place Bowie team, they improved winning 5 of 12 games..
Elehuis Montero is getting better and better every game he plays at Hartford. The sky is the limit for this youngster. Someday after some more games at AA - Hartford and probably at AAA - Fresno Grizzlies, he will be playing major league baseball for the Colorado Rockies. When he starts hitting rocket shots at Coors Field, Rockies/ fans will rise to their feet. Seeing those balls high above the stadium, they will soon forget about Nolan Arenado and remember Elehuis Montero is their new power hitting third baseman.
Mason Martin Must Mix an Occasional Single In With His Homeruns
By Rodger M. Wood
Pittsburgh Pirates' twenty - two year old prospect Mason Martin hit a homer in each of the five games I have seen him play at Greensboro in 2019 and at Altoona Curve in 2021, and to make matters even more unbelievable, he went onto hit 7 HR in the 9 games before and after the four games I saw him play this season.
In his first taste of facing the older, more challenging AA -pitchers, he has hit 18 HR and driven in 54 RBI in 235 AB. He started the season off slow, hitting only 4 HR in May and 5 in June but then his bat exploded with a mighty 9 HRs in July with a week to go in the month.
Mason Martin Hit 7 HR in 7 Games in July
Hitting HR is not a new experience for the youngster. In 131 games at Low A - Greensboro Grasshoppers and High A - Bradenton Marauders in 2019, he hit 35 HR and knocked in 129 RBI. In 2017 the unheralded 17th round pick out of Kennewick, WA Southridge HS set a GCL Pirates HR record hitting 11 HR in 127 AB.
Mason Hit 35 HR in A - Ball in 2019
Signing with the Pirates right out of high school after the 2017 draft, he missed out on learning some of the hitting rudiments he would have picked up in junior college or college baseball competition. Although improving each professional season, he is still striking out too much - 88 Ks in 235 AB compared to the 20 BB so far in 2021 season or almost a K / 3 ABs. The ratio of walks and Ks should be closer to a 1:1.
Mason Martin Has a Compact Powerful Swing
In their "2020 Prospect Handbook," Baseball America recommended that Mason work at the plate being more aggressive earlier in the count - he is waiting for a pitch he can crush. He has raw power but his extremely patient approach works to the pitcher's advantage and causes him to strike out frequently.
Mason Martin Has All of the Tools for a Major League 1B
He is working on his weakness of waiting out too many hittable pitches until later in the count. giving the opposing pitcher a count advantage, and then striking out. I know this because I missed taking a HR photo when I thought he would not swing at an Akron pitcher's first pitch offering, and focused on the runner at first base expecting a double play shot and then what does he do but smash a HR with a perfect left handed batter's swing on the first pitch.
Mason Martin's Plate Approach Will Determine His Major League Fate
Mason meets the criteria for a major league first baseman - he can hit the ball with power and drive in runs. As he matures, he will improve his defense. His compact power swing and power stats will get him the Pirates' front office attention, but occasionally, as he did to ruin my HR photo, he must swing at an occasional first pitch. His ability to mix in an occasional single and double with a HR will determine his major league baseball fate.
Grayson Rodriguez Is A Special Pitcher
By Rodger M. Wood
Although Bowie Bay Sox RHP Grayson Rodriguez was just rated the Baseball America's #1 minor league pitching prospect, and has struck out 36 batters in the first 24.2 innings he pitched in AA - ball, he still humbly thinks the hitters at that level can challenge his pitching.
"The hitters at AA - level are excellent hitters, they're more organized and have a better approach at the plate than batters in A and lower level ball. They're up at the plate looking and ready for a specific pitch."
Grayson Rodriguez Thinks AA - Batters are a Challenge
While the youngster throws a 98 mph fast ball, a mid- 70s curve ball and mid 80s slider that alternate as his best breaking ball game by game, and has developed a change up that dances up to the plate, the pitch he uses to get batters out with varies game by game.
In his last start this past Saturday against the Blue Jays AA - affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats, he used his change up to strike out eight batters and in the game before against the Cleveland Indians AA - affiliate Akron Rubber Ducks, he used his curve ball to strike eight batters.
Grayson Rodriguez Can Throw a 98 MPH Heater
While he has demonstrated he has good command of all four of his pitches, walking only 7 batters in 24.2 innings pitched at Bowie, and "thinks his heater stays low in the strike zone and is hard to hit, he believes he can still improve his off speed pitches by getting them more consistently down in the strike zone."
The 6-5, 220 pound youngster casts an intimidating image out there on the mound to batters, who have to look twice to find his 98 mph fast ball blazing downhill at them. Before his senior year in high school, through an exacting regimen he remade his body and delivery into a formidable force on the mound..
He has an Intimidating presence on the mound
The 21-year old grew up in the warm weather of Nacogdoches Texas, where he felt he benefited from the longer high school baseball seasons. As a junior, he went 14-1 with a fantastic 0.38 ERA, leading Central Heights to the 3A state title He signed up to play college baseball at Texas A&M University but changed his mind when the Orioles drafted him in the first round, 11th overall in the 2018 draft and offered him a $4.3 million dollar contract.
As a young professional, Grayson has dominated hitters at each level he has pitched. In 2018 GCL rookie ball, he struck out 20 batters in 19 IP. In his first full season at Delmarva Shorebirds in 2019, he manhandled Low A hitters with a 10-4 W-L record, 2.68 ERA, with 129 K in 94 IP. At Fast A - Aberdeen Iron Birds the first month of 2021 season, he stuck out 40 batters in 23.8 IP.
Grayson Never Got Tired of Baseball
Looking back at his youth, he says "while a lot of my friends and teammates in high school couldn't wait until practice was over so they could head home and do other things, I never wanted to be separated from baseball. I could practice and play the game morning, noon and night and never get tired of it."
It is Grayson's intangible qualities that make him is a special baseball player. He loves the game, he works hard, and has the talent and grit to be a great pitcher.
He is also a big half of a battery at Bowie which can lead the Baltimore Orioles back to their glory days. Most games he pitches nowadays, Adley Ruschman is his catcher and driving in the runs to make him the game winner. Together in a season or two, the two of them could start to lead the Birds back up the major league standings to a World Series title.
His Reward May Be a Chance to Pitch in the Majors
By. Rodger M. Wood
On each pitch, the scout next to me in the press box spoke into his computer, "96, 88, 93, 97............." .and kept track of the speed the 18 - year Frederick Keys southpaw, Ronan Kopp was throwing his four - pitch arsenal at to opposing Mahoning Valley Scrapper hitters.. In 3.2 innings the youngster pitched that Sunday afternoon, he struck out 9 batters, walked 3, and allowed only one hit and two earned runs.
Ronan Kopp Fires a Fastball to the Batter
PDR Plus reported in its May 18th "Draft League Spotlight" the LHP, throws a 93-97 mph fastball, a sweeping slider, curve, and a cutter. Although his fast ball is his out pitch, he showed that afternoon at Frederick he was not afraid to break off a curve or slider to strike a batter out.
The 6-7, 240, the youngster has a Randy Johnson look - a - like physical presence on the mound, which will only get more intimidating as he gets older and bulks up even more. When he is throwing to them from the mound, batters see all arms and legs coming at them in the batter's box. The pitch comes at them from an exaggerated downhill direction.
The Youngster has a Physical Presence on the Mound
After the COVID pandemic brought his high school career to an abrupt end, the left hander attended South Mountain Community College, where in 10 appearances the 2021 school season, Kopp started 6 games and completed the season with a 0-1 W-L, and a save in 25.1 innings pitched. School teams scored 8 earned runs off him while he struck out 38 batters and had a very respectable 2.84 ERA.
In the new Major League Draft League, Ronan is holding his own against mostly older, more experienced college hitters, who are vying for major league scouts attention and hoping to be drafted in the July MLB draft . In 12. 5 IP he's struck out 32 batters or double the number of sixteen batters he has walked and averaged 2.5 K an inning pitched.
The Young Southpaw is Learning the Science of Baseball at Frederick
He likes pitching in the new MLB Draft League. "I love the team, all of the guys are really great, we're really meshing together well so far. I was surprised to see everybody become so close so quick because normally you get to a place and the first week is kind of weird but we all meshed together well pretty quickly. All of the guys on the team have been pretty good and it's been a fun time."
While dwarfed by his K count, his walk count of 16 is an atrocious average of 1.9 batters walked an inning, but find him a savvy pitching coach who can steady down his youthful tendency to overthrow and vary his delivery and you may have a refined Bob Feller or Nolan Ryan throwing from your team's pitchers' mound.
Ronan Uncorks Another 97 MPH Fastball
Keys pitching coach Glenn Dishman is getting the youngster started on the right foot. Under the tutelage of the former Padres, Phillies, and Tigers LHP, Ronan is learning to respect the value of sabermetrics in improving his pitching, After games he pitches in, Ronan said, "I like to focus on my spin rate, and what speed I'm throwing my off speed pitches at. It's definitely something that because I think it is the future of pitching with the analytics and saber metrics, I am doing my best to learn it at a young age."
Ronan has won his share of accolades in his eighteen years, 2019 PBR Arizona Player of the Year, Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, a verbal scholarship offer to Arizona State, and a chance to pitch in the new MLB Draft League. In July, he may be rewarded for his effort with a another. He could be drafted high by a MLB team and get a good chance to pitch someday for a major league team.
Southpaws Started the Game Off, But Righties Finished It
By Rodger M. Wood
Catcher Alex Dunlap, Pitching Coach Sam Narron and Starting Pitcher Tim Cate
On this hot June day, Harrisburg Senators rookie LHP Tim Cate battled savvy veteran Portland Sea Dogs LHP Matthew Kent for 5 innings before allowing a run that put the Sea Dogs ahead 1 - 0. In the 2nd and 4th innings, the 23 - year old Cate struck out a batter with a wicked curve ball to strand two opposing base runners. In 5 innings pitched, he allowed only one run, 5 hits, and struck out 4 batters.
Tim Cate Reaches Back For a Fast Ball
A Washington Nationals' 2018 second round draft pick, 65th overall, Cate threw 52 IP at Rookie A Auburn and Low A - Hagerstown in 2018 and 143.2 IP at Hagerstown and Fast A Potomac in 2019. His curve ball is described by scouts as having teeth and depth. He sets it up as his out pitch with a 92 mph fast ball and change up.
Tim Cate Shows Me His Fast Ball
Mixing his pitches up effectively, the savvy 28 - year old AA - ball Portland veteran Matthew Kent allowed no runs, and
6 hits, while striking out three Senators in just his first start of the 2021 campaign. Twice he too closed out innings with runners in scoring position.
RHP Matthew Kent Keeps Batters Off Balance
Drafted in the 13th Round, 381st by the Boston Red Sox in 2015, the Texas A&M alumnae has thrown over 700 IP in 132 games at Rookie A - Lowell in 2015, Low A - Greenville and Fast A - Salem in 2016 and 2017, AA- Portland and AAA - Pawtucket in 2018-2019. While mostly starting in his first five minor league seasons, he has worked out of the bullpen the beginning of 2021, and made his first start of the season in today's game.
After both lefties departed the game in the 6th, both teams' bullpens continued the fight to the game's end. Sea Dogs RHP Zack Kelly, and Jake Thompson blanked the Senators without a hit or run in the 7th and 8th innings, and stopper Joae Adames closed the game out in the 9th for his 8th save of the season.
In relief of Cate, Senators LHP Nick Wells allowed a run on Tanner Nishioka's double in the 6th, but threw a shutout 7th inning before RHP John Romero and Gabe Klobosits shut down the side in the 8th and 9th.
Senators pitchers struck out Sea Dogs cleanup hitter and catcher, Ronaldo Hernandez three times but the 23 year old Colombian looked strong behind the plate and has hit 3 HR in 87AB in 2021.
Ronaldo Hernandez Hits Away
Senators prospect LF and leadoff hitter Cole Freeman got 1 for 4 AB, hustled on every play and chased down every ball in the outfield.
Cole Freeman Hits the Ball In the 5th
It was another old time baseball game at Harrisburg today, good pitching and good defense, and the way the game should be played. The southpaw pitchers battled for five innings, and then the righties came in to close the game out. Pitchers fought off rallies and the game went by too fast! Portland 2 Harrisburg 0!
A Young Brookie Robinson Look A Like
By Rodger M. Wood
Alex Ulloa has a ways to go yet to be just as good, but when I saw the 18 year old Frederick Keys' 3B dive outstretched for a hot shot hit just inside the bag last night, he brought back a memory to me instantaneously of old Orioles 3B and HOFer Brooks Robinson lunging for the same kind of shot in the 1970 World Series
One of just a few June high school graduates competing in the new Major League Draft League, Ulloa explained why he chose to compete against the mostly older college and junior college ballplayers this summer.
"I'm just playing baseball trying to improve my stock just like everyone else. I have to keep playing baseball and keep doing to continue to grow as a baseball player."
Alex Ulloa Makes Throw To 1B
Ranked the 196th in May 3rd edition of Baseball America's top 400 prospects in 2021 and committed to Oklahoma State, Alex will be faced with a choice between college and Major League Baseball after the July amateur draft .
He says that difficult choice may be the best of all worlds for him. "When the time comes I will make that decision. It can go both ways, but either way I have really good options at both Oklahoma State or with Major League Baseball.
Alex Ulloa Stays Low to the Ground
While struggling a bit getting acclimated to the life of a "professional" baseball player at Frederick and playing against the more experienced ball players, Alex is still showing some signs of breaking loose on the diamond. Last Saturday at Mahoning Valley, he had his best game of the season, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, a triple, and driving in 2 RBI.
He's playing a tough hot corner, staying close to the ground, and fielding rocket shots and routine grounders with a veterans finesse at the position. A good 3B will have black and blue marks all over his body and Ulloa is getting his share of them every game he plays.
Alex Ulloa Swings a Good Bat
Frederick is 0-7-1 for the season, but each game is starting to hit the ball harder and get better pitching. Win - Loss is important but development and individual performance measures are taken more seriously in the MLB Draft League. Every action is measured empirically but one.
As Mark Twain said once, It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of fight in the dog that counts." Playing 3B takes lots of heart, and Alex will combine his high score on that measure with his glove and bat stats. If Mark Twain could see Alex play 3B, he would too have a vision of Brooks Robinson back at hot corner for the Oriolles..
Field of Dreams
By Rodger M. Wood
Last night at Frederick MD, two teams of young college ballplayers battled it out for nine innings to get the attention of baseball scouts and score big points in their quests to become major league ballplayers. Like most of us ordinary folks, players in the new Major League Draft League do not get paid to play the game, the only stipend they get is a second look and the fun of playing on a minor league baseball field. If they do well, they may show enough talent to be drafted by a major league team in July.
In the fourth game of the inaugural Major League Draft League, the West Virginia Black Bears and Frederick Keys played 6 innings of mostly flawless, scoreless 1- 0 baseball. The second batter up in the top of the 1st, Black Bears catcher, Ranko Stevanovich hit a solo HR to deep right center and the one run held up until the Keys broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth. Learning from their mistakes, Keys pitchers walked the big catcher the next three times he came to the plate.
Ranko Stevanovich Waits for His Pitch
Keys 6'7" RHP from Iowa Western University Payton Zabel and 6'7" LHP Ronan South South Mountain Community College, combined to throw a 7 - inning 1 run game while leaving 10 men on base.
Matching them, Black Bears RHP, Joshua South pitched a perfect 4 inning 2 hit, 2 K shutout .
Joshua South Pitches 4 IP - 2 Hit Shutout
Keys 1B Nick Hernandez hit a 1-run HR and pinch hitter Dominque Collie a 2 -run double to break open the game in the bottom of the 6th to go ahead 5-1.
Nick Hernandez Hit a HR and 2B in game
Payton Zabel Throws a 3-hitter for 4 IP
Ronan Kopp strikes out 7 hitters in 3 IP
Half an inning later In the top of the 8th inning, the Black Bears came right back scoring 2 runs on 18-year old Oakville, Ontario Holy Trinity Catholic HS senior, Eli Hammil's triple and a run on Jeron Williams 's sacrifice fly. Eli has some speed to burn, legging out the triple and covering a wide berth at SS.
Eli Hammill Knocked in 2 RBI with Triple in the 8th
In the top Black Bear 1B Nick Hernandez doubled in the tying run and RHP Michael Hobbs closed the tie 5-5 game with his second scoreless inning in the 9th.
There is a happy family environment at NYMEO Field this season. The players playing on the field and spectators in the stands at this game were having lots of fun.
The higher the level of baseball, the more dog eat dog folks experience. The odds of making the majors are so infinitesimal that you can only hope you have the goods to make the bigs. Now a Major League Draft League venue, the NYMEO Field at Harry Grove Stadium this Thursday night has truly become a field of young players dreams.
Slugfest Games Can Be Fun Too!
By Rodger M. Wood
I've had thirty-five years of fond memories shooting photos at the old Prince William and Hagerstown Suns fields but yesterday at the new beautiful, state of the art, FredNats stadium I found a new venue for many more years of good times.
Most of FredNats young players are in their first full professional season and were shortchanged out of a year of development in the minors last year during pandemic 2020. They are struggling so far this season against more experienced Low A - teams with a 1-17 W-L record.
It took the young Nats over two weeks to win their first game last Friday 2-1 in a nail biter against the Salem Red Sox and go into Sunday's game against the same team looking for a second win. They showed some punch scoring 3 runs in the third inning, a run in the 4th, 2 in the 6th, 2 in the 9th inning, but unfortunately, the opposing Salem batters kept pace, scoring 14 runs in the game off a less experienced FredNats pitching staff.
Time will heal all wounds. The FredNats have lot of plus players who will blossom as the season goes on.
One of them, 20 year old Dominican 2B Viandel Pena scored 2 runs, got a base hit, and completed a double play in the 5th inning.
Viandel Pena Throws To 1B
20 year old Dominican catcher Geraldi Diaz looked strong behind the plate, and at the plate, hitting two singles and a double in 4 AB.
Geraldi Diaz Strokes a Double in 1st Inning
Batting 3rd in the batting order and playing first base, Alan Berrios had a big day at the plate, driving in 2 rbi in the 4th with a clutch single and adding another single for 2 for 5 day at the plate.
Allan Berrios Drove in 2 RBI the 4th Inning
Making his first Low A start after pitching 98.2 innings in the Rookie DSL and GCL in 2018 - 2019, LHP Bryan Pena pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 runs in the 3rd and 4th, striking out 3 and walking one.
Salem showed a lot of pop in the game. Leadoff hitter and Red Sox 5-tool top prospect, CF Gilberto Jimenez hit a 2-run HR in the 3rd Inning and showed some defense with his speed in centerfield.
In his first 71 AB against Low - A pitching, the 20 year old has shown he is an ideal lead off hitter, getting on base with a 352 BA, driving in 10 RBI, stealing 4 bases, and compiling an 881 OPS.
In 562 AB in 143 minor league games, he's hitting an overall 340 BA, 4 HR, 51 RBI. Watch this young player - he's going to be a special major league player with the Boston Red Sox someday soon.
Gilberto Jimenez Hit a 2-run HR in the 3rd Inning
At the Houston University, and 40 GP with Rookie A - Lowell Spinners in 2019, and 13 GP in Low A - ball this season, Salem Red Sox 1B Joe Davis showed he can hit the ball at a 292 BA, 5 HR, 39 RBI in 192 AB.
He drove in 2-runs with a double, scored 3 runs, and hit 3 for 5 AB in the game today.
Joe Davis Hits a Double in in the Second Inning
Red Sox #3 batter 3B Nicholas Northcut hit a 2-run HR in the 9th, scored 3 runs, and hit 2 for 5 AB and played good defense at the hot corner.
Nicholas Northcut Keeps His Nose Down at the Hot Corner
LF Wil Dalton was the game winning hitter, driving in a run in the 3rd with a double and 3 more runs with a HR in the 7th.
RHP Ryan Zeferjahn started for Salem pitched 3.0 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits. RHP Devon Roedahl 2 innings in relief, allowing a run scored in the 4th, and getting the win.
Devon Roedahl Was the Salem Winning Pitcher
Pitching on both teams needs some game work to get the rust off - only Jacinto Arredondo pitched a scoreless 8th for Salem and RHP Davis Moore a scoreless 5th inning for the FredNats.
Still slugfest games have lots of action, excitement and good times. I'll add this game to my many memories and look forward to the next time I can be at this beautiful FredNats Park.
Classic Ball Game at Harrisburg Today
by Rodger M. Wood
The Altoona/Harrisburg day game Wednesday, May 19th was a classic pitchers' duel until LHB Rhett Wiseman hit a 2-run HR off Curve reliever Will Gardner in the bottom of the 7th inning.
Rhett Wiseman Hits 7th Inning HR
Senators RHP Sterling Sharp battled a predominantly left-handed hitting Curves batting order for 6 IP, walking one, striking out 5 batters, and allowing only 3 hits.
Sterling Sharp Throws 6 Shutout Innings
LHP Alberto Baldanado struck out 6 batters and shutout Curve hitters in the 7th and 8th Innings to get the win, his second of the 2021 season. Frankie Bartow closed the game out in the 9th getting his 3rd save of the season.
Alberto Baldanado Strikes Out 6 in 7th and 8th
Curve's RHP starter Travis McGregor dueled Sharp for 5 innings, throwing one hit ball, 7 K, 2 BB. RHP Will Gardner came in in relief in the 6th and allowed Wisema's the break through HR in the bottom of 7th.
Travis McGregor Throws 5 Shutout Innings
Batting 5th in the batting order, Harrisburg 1B Drew Mendoza scored the winning run and got two BB.
LHB Drew Mendoza Swings Away in 7th
Altoona prospect 2B Ji-hwan Bae, turned a double play in the 3rd inning and got a single and stolen base in 4 AB.
2B Ji-hwan Bae turns doubleplay in 2nd Inning.
While SS O'Neil Cruz struggled at the plate striking out twice, and leaving two base runners on, he sparked at shortstop, starting a DP in the second, and making several other fine defensive plays.
O'Neil Cruz sparked on defense
Although cleanup hitter Mason Martin struck out three AB, he's hitting 304, 3 HR, 10 RBI in 46 AB and sprung with authority in 4 AB. He is a batter pitchers will learn to respect as he gets more AA - exposure.
Mason Martin hits away in the 7th
Good pitching silenced the hitters in this early season game, but as the weather grows warmer the bats will wake up. It was good to see good defense combined with good pitching dominated a ball game again. That combined with a warm spring afternoon sun, the smell of hot dogs, and fresh air in a wholesome environment made folks feel good again.
Half the Orioles Future is at Bowie in 2021
by Rodger M. Wood
A 20-month pandemic was far too long a wait to see a ball game, but just the same, it was quickly forgotten yesterday when I saw the Orioles' young AA Bowie Baysox knock the cover off the ball against the Phillies AA - Reading Fighting Phillies at Bowie MD.
In the bottom of the first inning, Anthony Santander, on rehab from the Big Orioles, fouled off a bunch of pitches before hitting a blast to right center which looked like it would come down on Route 50 and roll all the way to the Annapolis.
Anthony Santander swings away at Bowie
The 2019 #1 draft pick and Orioles #1, hitting cleanup 4th in the batting order, Adler Rutschman's followed suit in 9th Inning with another tremendous clout, his 3rd HR of the season tying the game. He caught the 10 inning game and looked like a leader behind the plate,
Adley Rutschman Gets Ahold of One
CF and lead off hitter, Terrin Vavra, who the Orioles acquired in a trade for Mychal Gvens from the Rockies in 2020, looked like 5-tool talent, stealing a base, showing his speed in CF, and getting a couple base hits and BB in 4 AB.
Terrin Vavra leads off 1B
Unheralded 15th Round pick 2017, JC Escarra 1B won the game doubling in the winning runs in the walk off bottom of the 10th inning. In 32 AB he's hit 3 HR and driven in 8 RBI.
JC Escarra swings away.
Hitting 5th in the order, 3B Patrick Dorrian, walked three times and sacrificed flied in a couple runs. He kept his nose down on a couple rocket shots and played a tough hot corner.
Patrick Dorrian makes the throw to 1B
Orioles top rated prospect LHP DL Hall started and threw bee bees in the first inning getting the side out in the first inning, but then faltering in the second and third innings, allowing a HR, walking 4 batters, and allowing 4 earned runs. He looked overpowering in the first, but could not get any close pitches called a strike in 2nd and 3rd innings.
Don't give up on this young man, he's 1-0 W-L, 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 23 K in 12 IP in AA - ball in 2021 and looks like he's got the stuff to be great once he gets a handle on all his pitches.
DL Hall Fires Away
The young Orioles are for real - go out to see them and get back your optimism about the Orioles future. It'll take a little more than the pandemic wait, but once ready, these young ballplayers at Bowie will make be the difference between a mediocre and winning Baltimore Orioles team. They're worth waiting to see in the Bigs!
It Was A Glorious 2015 Baseball Season!
Glorious 2015 Baseball Season!By Rodger M. WoodI hated to see the 2015 baseball season, my 32nd as a professional sports photographer, come to an end.Getting an earlier start on my photography and being able to see 61 ball games, 37 different teams and shoot and edit over 45,000 photos in 12 different venues, ranging from down south in Kodak, Tennessee and Zebulon N.C. , northeast to Erie Pa, Syracuse, NY, and Burlington VT, and nearby in Frederick, Bowie, Aberdeen and Hagerstown, MD, Potomac, VA, Harrisburg, PA, and Washington, DC, in mostly nice bright day light, made it a glorious season.I also felt extremely responsible, more animated with energy, and good about my photography shooting all those photos for Baseball America, Boston Baseball, Sporting News, Orioles Kids Magazine, Vine Line, Reds Report, and Leaf Baseball Cards.At a Nationals game in May, I enjoyed meeting up with some old friends (but younger than me) Matt LeCroy, Randy Knorr, Steve McCatty, Michael Taylor and several other National players whom I saw grow up in the minors, including 2015 MVP Bryce Harper who feasted on Miami Marlins' pitchers that day with three homers.At the NY/PA League All Star Game at Aberdeen, MD in August, probably because I was the oldest photographer there and representing “Baseball America,” I loved being treated with the upmost respect and consideration by the many other press corp members and team representatives there. I enjoyed running the four young Lowell Spinner Boston Red Sox all stars, Josh Ockimey, Chad DeLaGuerra, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Victor Acosta, New York Yankees outfielder Jhalen Jackson, and Orioles shortstop Ricardo Andujar through my photography antics well before the game and later taking low light shots of other players during the game just like the good old days when I did that a lot.
Lowell 2015 NY PA League All Stars (l-r) Nick Faciana, Iggy Suarez, Josh Ockimey, Chad De La Guerra, Luke Murton, Lance Carter, Joe Oliver, Luis Alexander Basabe, Victor Acosta.I enjoyed taking action photos of the AAA - Pawtucket Red Sox for "Boston Baseball" at Syracuse NY, action and posed of the Rookie A Lowell Spinners at Burlington, VT, and Aberdeen MD, Low A Greenville Drive at Hagerstown MD, and Fast A Salem Red Sox at Zebulon, NC, Frederick MD, and Potomac VA . I go way back to 1992, with the BB Managing Editor and Publisher, Michael Rutstein and always get hyped up when working for him and that Sports Illustrated quality magazine, which seems to get better and better every season.I also enjoyed taking action shots of the young Cubs prospects at AA Tennessee Smokies at Kodak TN, and Fast A- Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the Chicago Cubs archives, Steve Green, Cubs team photographer, and Vine Line, the Cubs team magazine.I enjoyed taking photos of young Orioles prospects, Trey Mancini, Parker Bridwell, and Mike Yastrzemski at Fast A- Frederick, Low A-Delmarva, AA Bowie, and Rookie A Aberdeen for editor Joe Cooney and the “Orioles Kids” Magazine."I enjoyed shooting my Bradley Zimmer prospect photos at Harrisburg PA and Lynchburg VA for my friends, Scott Smith, managing editor and Scott Greig, my photography editor at Sporting News Baseball Annal.,I enjoyed seeing and taking photos of the young Washington Nationals prospects at AAA Syracuse NY, AA Harrisburg PA, Fast A Potomac, Low A Hagerstown MD, and Rookie A Aberdeen for possible use by the Washington Nationals in their "Minor League Report" which was shown on the big tele screen every home game at Nationals Stadium.I enjoyed spending time with lots of old friends including Billy Gardner, AAA Syracuse manager, Mark Harris, AA Harrisburg hitting coach, Franklin Bravo, pitching coach at Fast A - Potomac, Keenie Steenstra pitching coach at Frederick Keys, Blaine Beatty, pitching coach at Low A - Delmarva, Alan Mills at AA Bowie Bay Sox, Ryan Minor manager at Low A Delmarva, Charles Poe, hitting coach and JR Perdue pitching coach at Fast A Winston Salem, Steve Luebber pitching coach at Fast A –Wilmington. Paco Figueroa, Fast A Frederick hitting coach, Carlos Febles manager, Jon Nunnally hitting coach Paul Abbot pitching coach, and Mickey Jiang, coach with the Salem Red Sox, and lots of other good friends it would take pages to list.And most of all, I enjoyed talking with, teasing, and watching the young ball players, some of whom are designated below as “Rodger’s Picks,” develop their skills, die a million deaths with each bounce of the ball, and grow up playing the sometimes very cruel business and game of professional baseball at an early stage in their young lives. Not many of these young men will make the majors and it is sad to see most of them drop off the prospect radar but at least they can say they tried and enjoyed the opportunity of playing professional baseball at a level far in excess of most other folks playing the game, and stuck it out to the end.I am going to list my top twelve (12) 2015 Season Rodger’s Picks below, who were my selections based on some valid and invalid criteria: talent, performance, likeability, hustle, hard play, and sportsmanship.2015 Top Twelve (12) Rodger’s Picks1. Trey Michalczewski, 3B, Fast A, Winston Salem Dash, Chicago White SoxTrey first got my attention one day in July at Frederick MD when I saw the 20 year old dive to the ground to field a shot hit to his right, just inside the 3B bag, get up in a flash and throw the runner out at first. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a fantastic play, the best defensive play I had seen all season. He also hit for average (259 BA) and showed signs of power (35 2B 4 3B 7 HR) last season in 127 games played at Winston Salem against older, more savvy Fast A Carolina League pitchers. I think this youngster will be heir apparent to the Chicago White Sox hot corner in a couple seasons, even though they just traded for Reds 3B and home run and rbi leader Todd Frazier.
2. 2. Keon Bynum, 1B, Fast A Winston Salem Dash, Chicago White SoxTwenty-two year, White Sox 1B and DH prospect Keon Bynum was the only hitter I photographed last season who was smiling when he ripped a double down the first base line for extra bases. Tested by tough Fast A Carolina League pitchers, he hit 24 2B, 9 HR, and drove 67 RBI in 105 games played at Winston Salem in 2015. In a season or two, after he shortens his swing and cuts down on strike outs, he will win a job with the parent White Sox. He has the power to be both a home run hitting first baseman or designated hitter.
3. Bradley Zimmer, CF, Fast A- Lynchburg Hill Cats, and AA Akron Aeroes, Cleveland IndiansYou will to hear the name, "Bradley Zimmer" a zillion times in the near future. This twenty -three year old, 2014 Indians #1 draft pick has 5-tool talent. He runs like a gazelle, he throws accurately for distance, is a ball hawk in CF, and hits for average and power.In only his first full professional season, he sped through Fast A Lynchburg and AA Akron and will probably start the 2016 season at AAA Columbus before getting a call up to the Cleveland Indians. He could be a franchise player.
4. Trey Mancini, 1B, Fast A Frederick Keys and AA- Bowie Bay Sox, Baltimore Orioles
T Eastern League MVP, 1B Trey Mancini helped his Bowie teammates win their first ever AA Eastern League championship in 2015. He is a proverbial 1B, clutch hitting for power and fielding all grounders hit his way. The 23 year old, Notre Dame alumna hit 359 BA, 13 HR, and drove in 57 RBI in 84 games played his first exposure to AA ball. In 52 games played at Fast A Frederick, he hit 314 BA, 8 HR, and 32 RBI. He'll start the 2016 season at AAA Norfolk and make Orioles' fans forget Chris Davis by mid season.5. Raudy Read, Catcher, Low A Hagerstown Suns, Fast A Potomac Nationals, Washington Nationals
Raudy Read is a Washington Nationals' "diamond in the rough." After making his debut at Low A Hagerstown in mid May, hitting 244 BA, 5 HR, and 36 RBI in 82 games played, he kept adding glimmer to his play, until the 22-year catcher was making making throws to nail runners at 1B, 2B, 3B, handling pitchers like a vet, and hitting the ball with extra base authority. He finished the 2015 season at Fast A Potomac dazzling the fans there too with his increasing brilliance.6. Wendell Rios, 2B, Fast A Salem Red Sox, Boston Red Sox 
This 20-year old 2B bubbles with enthusiasm every time he steps onto a baseball field. At Fast A Salem in 2015, he 27 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, and drove in 47 RBI and was hitting #3 in the lineup by the end of the season. You can't help liking the way he plays the game day in and day out. He hustles, is quick to get balls hit wide to his left, executes the double play well, and hits a heavy ball hard to all parts of the field. He is fast enough to be a base stealing threat as well as strong enough to punch balls over the fence.. Almost ready to blossom on the Boston Red Sox' horizon, Wendell could become a fan favorite of Fenway Park partisans someday soon.7. Dale Carey, Low A-Hagerstown Suns, Washington Nationals
D You can't help but hope this young Washington Nationals outfielder succeeds at the game. He hit 18 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, and drove in 52 RBI at Low A Hagerstown and he hustled on every play, learned from every mistake, and got better at the plate and in the outfield every game he played last season. The parent club will let Dale develop in the minors at his own pace but he has all of the tools to be a good center or right fielder. When he gets better plate discipline and lays off the hard to hit pitches he could develop into an ideal lead off hitter and accelerate through Fast A Potomac, AA Harrisburg, and AAA Syracuse to fill the needs of the parent club..8. Mitch Horacek, Fast A Frederick Keys, Baltimore Orioles
B A south paw myself, I'm bias about Orioles left hander Mitch Horacek Plus, he likes my pictures. But dismissing those invalid reasons for judgment of his baseball skills, I have to say Mitch pitches with a lot of heart and soul. He has the potential to be a major league starter with the parent club once he is fine tunes his pitch command and location. He threw 154 innings last year at Fast A- Frederick, striking out almost an average of one hitter per inning (146 K) while walking only 52 batters. Under the capable tutelage of Orioles minor league pitching coaches, Blaine Beattie, Kennie Steenstra and Alan Mills, Mitch will learn the pitching trade and succeed at AA Bowie, AAA Norfolk, to find himself pitching off the mound at Camden Yards.9. Drew Ward, 3B, Fast A Potomac Nationals , Washington Nationals
A Drew is a big raw boned 21 -year old Oklahoman 3B with an unlimited potential to be an outstanding major league ball player. In 111 games last season at Fast A - Potomac, he showed a good glove and strong arm at the hot corner and hitting 6 HR and driving in 47 RBI, flashes of power at the plate. Like most young ball players, he has to learn how to out think opposing pitchers, who in the Carolina League were typically more mature and savvy than the pitchers he faced at lower levels. 10. Drew Dosch, 3B Frederick Keys and Bowie Bay Sox, Baltimore Orioles
Twenty three old Drew Dosch is another hard nosed young 3B who can make it big in the majors guarding the hot corner at Camden Yards..He is quick enough to field hot shots to his right or left, on his feet, or on the ground. No slouch in power at the plate, he drove in 34 RBI in 55 games at Fast A Frederick and 1 HR and 21 RBIs in 68 games after advancing to AA Bowie. After more seasoning at Bowie and AAA Norfolk next season, he may be ready to assume Orioles Hall of Fame 3B Brooks Robinson's hot corner legacy at Camden Yards.11. Tony Renda, 2B, AA Harrisburg Senators and AA Trenton Thunder, New York Yankees
Tony Renda is a pleasure to watch on a baseball field. He hustles, plays hard, puts out 100 percent effort, and shows respect for the game of baseball every play he makes on the field. He started off last season with Nationals AA Harrisburg, by mid season was traded to the Yankees where he played at AA Trention, and in December, was one of five prospects the Yankees traded to Cincinnati for reliever Arodis Chapman. His BA hovered around 270 in 127 games played in 2015, Mark my words, down the road, this twenty -four year old 2B may prove to be a steal for the Reds and be the best of all the 2015 Rodger's Picks listed, as he has the sheer will power to work hard, be the best and get ahead12. Cole Tucker, SS Low A West Virginia Power, Pittsburgh Pirates
Less than a year out of Phoenix AZ Mountain Pointe HS, 19-year old SS Cole Tucker has demonstrated that he is a bonafidecandidate for major league shortstop. Mature beyond his years, the Pittsburgh Pirates 2014 #1 hit 283 BA in his first full professional season with Low A West Virginia Power. He has quick hands and is fast enough to play the shortstop position as well as steal some bases. He will be an ideal candidate for lead off or #2 hitter in the batting order, will be comfortable on the big league stage and will soon become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh or wherever else he may play.Sent from my iPad
Fight of a Dog
by Rodger M. WoodWhile watching the three hard fought, close games and imbalance of talent on the two teams competing in the 2018 West Division, Rookie A Appalachin League Playoff Series between the Elizabethton Twins and the Kingsport Mets, I kept remembering a statement Mark Twain made many moons ago, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
2018 Mets #1 Draft Pick Jared Kelenic Started in CF for Kingsport
Before the series started, Kingsport looked like a lock to win. Possibly looking ahead to an Appy League Championship, the New York Mets had stacked their Rookie A affiliate with five prime prospects, 2018 #1 draft pick CF Jarred Kelenic, 17-year old #8 top prospect SS Ronny Maurico, #10 top prospect 3B and DH Mark Vientos, #16 top prospect 3B Shervyan Newton and 2018 #2 Draft Pick 17 year old Texan high schooler RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson, while the Minnesota Twins placed only #14 top prospect, 19 year old Dominican CF Gilberto Celestino, and 21st top prospect Dominican 2B Yunior Severino on the Elizabethton roster.
Twins 21st Top Minor League Prospect Yunior Severino played 2B for Elizabethton
In Game 1 played at Kingsport August 31st, four of the five Twins game heroes turned out to be a 2017 30th round draft pick, 3B Alex Robles who drove in three rbi with timely 2-out hits in the 2nd and 7th innings, 2017 Draft 6th Round pick, SS Ricky De La Torre, who also drove in two runners with two outs and 2018 #7 Round Draft pick out of Virginia Military Institute, RHP Josh Winder who pitched a 6 inning 4 - hitter, one earned run, 8 K to get the win. Twins top prospect, Gilberto Celestino knocked in two runs with a 7th inning homer to help the Twins win Game 1 7-3.
Elizabethton 3B Alex Robles Starred in Appy Series
Visiting team Kingsport came back slugging to win the second game in 10 innings 7-6, After scoring three runs in the first inning, Kingsport did not score again until the 10th inning. The Twins tied the game 3-3 with runs in the 2nd, 4th, and 7th innings. In the top of the 10th inning, Mets Mark Vientos hit a one-out, two run double and Ranfy Adon hit a 2 - run single to put Kingsport up 7-3.
Mets Mark Vientos' Double Wins Game 2
Elizabethton did not give up in the bottom of the tenth inning. Gilberto Celestino cut the lead to 7-5 with a two run double, and scored on a single by Twins #4 2018 Draft pick 1B Chris Williams. On a passed ball, Williams then advanced to second, and Robles walked. Jarred Akins grounded out for the second out and both runners advanced to second and third bases. However, Kingsport closer Nelson Leon came in to put out the fire and Kingsport won a tight no give up game 7-6 to even the three game series 1-1.All of the marbles were on the line in Game 3 at Elizabethton, the winner taking the West Division title and going on to face the Princeton Rays in the 2018 Appalachin League Championship Series. Both teams scored a run in the second inning, Kingsport on Domingo Martinez base hit to left field scoring 3B Shervyan Newton and Elizabethton on Yeltsin Encarnacion's single to right to score LF Lean Marrero. CF Gilberto Celestino's 2 - run home run in the fifth gave the Twins some breathing room 3-1, but Domingo Martinez' double closed the gap driving in Shervyan Newton to cut the lead to 3-2. With his third hit of the day, 2B Yunior Severino doubled in a run in the seventh inning, driving in a run, and Chris Williams singled in a run in the eighth to make the score 5-2. Late 2018 draft picks pitched in the game for the Twins, starter Andrew Calazaz (18th round) threw 4.1 IP, 1 run, 1 hit, winning pitcher Brian Rapp, (26th Round) 3.2 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, and Tanner Howell (35th Round) the 3-out save.
Twins Chris William Drove In 3 Critical RBI
Neither team gave up in this series, The first game was a 2-1 game until the top of the sixth when the Twins scored a run. In the second game, down 7- 3 in the tenth, Elizabethton fought back to score 3 runs in the bottom of the tenth and had runners on second and third when stopper Nelson Leon got the third out. In the championship game, the score was tied 1-1 until Elizabethan scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.Twins prospects, Yunior Severino (14 AB, 4 RS, 6 H, 1 RBI) and Gilberto Celestino (13 AB, 4 RS, 5 H, 5 RBI, 2 HR) starred at the plate in this series but so did lesser prospects Chris Williams (9 AB, 3 RS, 3 H, 3 RBI, 4 BB), Alex Robles (12 AB, 1 RS, 4 H, 4 RBI), Ricky DeLaTorre (10 AB, 1 RS, 4 Hits, and 2 RBI), and RHP Josh Winder with a 4 -hitter, 1 run in Game 1. They were the game winners, the spark that got Elizabethton the tough wins.
Top Twin Prospect Gilberto Celestino Homered Twice
With the exception of DH and 3B Mark Vientos (12 AB, 3 RS, 4 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, Kingsports stars did not get many timely hits.You cannot measure heart or desire in a baseball player, but sitting next to the Elizabethan Twins' dugout this series, I could feel the adrenalin flowing, see the desire, and the determination on the Elizabethton players' faces, and hear the encouragement the manager, coaches, and players gave each other. The chatter never ceased, It got me pumped up and enthusiastic about their chances to overcome the odds to win.The Elizabethton players did more of the little things necessary to win games. They hit in the clutch, they ran the bases with abandon, they stayed down low on hard hit ground balls, and their pitchers consistently threw strikes when it counted. You could tell Elizabethton players wanted to win by the way they played. The other team had more premium players, but the low budgeted Twins had the edge in heart. Old Mark Twain was never more right than when he predicted that the size of the fight in the dog would determine the winner of the game..With lots of heart the Elizabethan Twins went onto beat Princeton in the League Championship series 2 games to none.
Truly A Field of Dreams
Fifty-eight ball players, just out of high school and college got their chance of a lifetime to play on a “field of dreams” in the 2018 New York Penn League All Star Game at Medlar Field at Labrano Park, State College PA August 14th. Two days of fun festivities, autograph sessions, media interviews, old time picnics, and baseball in an idyllic 5,570 capacity ballpark nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain in a central Pennsylvania valley could not help but jumpstart the participants’ imaginary thoughts about the importance of this life defining event
The lower the level of baseball, the purer the game becomes and the lesser a mighty dollar drives the game. The NY/PA League is usually the first or second stop for college or high school youngsters drafted by major league teams the preceding June. The North squad in this game was composed of players playing their first professional season baseball in picturesque hamlets in Auburn NY, Batavia NY, Norwich CT, Hudson Valley NY, Troy NY, Burlington VT, and Lowell MA, the South in Aberdeen MD, Brooklyn NY (maybe not idyllic), Mahoning Valley Ohio, Morgantown WV, Williamsport, PA, and State College PA,Thirteen (13) major league teams drafted these young players with hopes they would realize the athletic potential that scouts had told them could carry them to the major-leagues. The Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Rays, Houston Astros, Oakland A’s, and Boston Red Sox, placed players on the North squad, and the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals on the South squad.
Prospect Watch rated only six (6) of these young players, Tyler Freeman (Indians), Delvin Perez (Cardinals), Travis Swaggerty (Pirates), Tyler Frank (Rays), Jeremy Pena (Astros), and Alex McKenna (Astros) in their major league teams’ top 30 prospects, and only one Travis Swaggerty (Pirates) made the list of the top 100 prospects (84th) in minor league baseball. The other 47 ballplayers still had to earn their fame and fortune.Much of a parent major league team’s interest and developmental resources is expended on their 1st through 5th Round draft picks. Three First Round and Compensatory First Round Picks (Travis Swaggerty – Pirates, Tyler Freeman – Indians, and Delvin Perez – Cardinals), two Second Rounder (Tyler Frank – Rays, Chris Betts -Rays), one Third Rounder, (Carlos Cortes – Mets), two Fourth Rounders, (Sean Reynolds – Marlins, and and Alex McKenna – Astros), and one Fifth Rounders (Nick Dunn – Cardinals) played in this game.The remaining 48 players on the North and South rosters were either drafted in the 7th through 32nd rounds (31 players) or signed out of Venezuela (8 players) or the Dominican Republic (7 players) and would have to stimulate greater interest from their parent clubs with a good all star performance.
Ross Adolph Hits a 2- run Triple in bottom of 1st
The mighty feats of the all star game started in the bottom of the first inning when the Mets 12th Round draft pick out the University of Toledo, and South #3 hitter, Ross Adolph blasted a 2-run triple over the out stretched glove of centerfielder Eric De La Rosa. “I was just trying to make sure I was’t going to miss my pitch,” said Adolph. “He had walked the batter before, so I was assuming no one wants to walk two guys in a row in an all star game so I figured he would throw me a fast ball in a 3-2 count. I just relaxed, made sure I didn’t miss and just got the job done.”
The next South batter and cleanup hitter, Edwin Rodriquez brought Adolph in with a sacrifice fly to deep right center-field to give the South a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd, North 2B and Washington Nationals prospect, Kyle Marinconz doubled in Boston baserunner Korby Batesole to make the score 3-1. Not all of the excitement, however, came from the batters, as Mahoning Valley RHP Luis Santos threw a 100 mph fast ball to Sean Reynolds in the top of the 3rd. After the pitch, Santos pointed to the right field wall where the speed was registered before striking Reynolds out with a much slower slider to end the inning.
Indians RHP Prospect Luis Santos Throws a 100 mph Fastball
Adolph did his deed again in the bottom of the 3rd inning with a solo homer over the right field fence to make the score 4-1. “I was feeling pretty good after the first at bat and told myself I was going to take a good hack at the first pitch I saw over the plate.” Pirates 2018 #1 draft pick (10th overall) out of South Alabama and CF, Travis Swaggerty added to the South’s lead in the bottom of the 4th with a 2-run single to make the score 6-1.
Travis Swaggerty Singles in 4th to drive in 2-runs
North pitchers, Tigers Yaya Chentouf, Nationals David Smith, A’s Slater Lee, Astros Austin Hansen and Marlins Manuel Rodriquez shut the South hitters down the 5th – 8th innings.Four players, Eric De La Rosa ( Connecticut Tigers), Travis Swaggerty, Willy Yahn (Aberdeen Iron Birds), and Ross Adolph got two hits, 14 of 17 pitchers threw a shutout inning, 4 pitchers struck out two batters in their IP, and 8 one hitter.Only three players made errors and one combo, West Virginia Pirates Mike Gretzler and Aberdeen Iron Birds 1B JC Escarra executed a a double play.Three players got extra base hits, Orioles Willy Yahn a triple and double, Red Sox Korby Batesole a double, and Ross Adolph a triple and homers.
While the South won the game on the field, a 12th round draft pick, Ross Adolph drove in 3 runs with a 3B and HR, and won the game’s Bush MVP Award. A 23 year old Dominican pitcher threw a 100 mph fast ball. The other 56 players on the field had the thrill of playing in their first professional all star game before 3, 570 fans who acted like they walked on water. Apart from the game, they had the thrill of signing an autograph for an excited 10-year old boy who waited in 20-deep lines just to talk to them. Young smiling ladies they'd never see again asked them to have a selfie taken with them. Down - to earth folks with old time values showed them the way to fame and fortune.
Matt Manning – Lessons Learned
Matt Manning is Averaging More than a K an inning
All of the Players Got a Chance in the 2018 Eastern League All Star Game
I like Tim Tebow, but there were fifty - nine other bonifide major-league prospects trying to show their talent in the 2018 AA Eastern League All Star Game at Trenton Thunder's Arm and Hammer Field last Wednesday.Binghamton's Tebow's double in his first All Star AB in the bottom of the second inning probably caused as much fan and media stir as the batter before, Phillies' prospect Deivi Grullon's HR, which gave the East an early 2-0 lead.
Tim Tebow cracks a double to left center field in the bottom of the second inningTwenty-three of the 60 players playing in the game were among major league teams top rated 30 minor league prospects, including a couple #1s, Colorado Rockies' SS Brandon Rogers representing Hartford and Toronto Blue Jays 3B Vladimir Guerrero representing New Hampshire.
East SS, Brandon Rodgers is the #1 minor league prospect of the Colorado RockiesThe All Star Game featured a little bit of everything, power hitting, good pitching, good defense, good base running, and drama at the end, all of the makings for a good game..East and West pitchers threw 18 IP, allowing only 15 hits, 8 earned runs scored, 6 BB, and an impressive 22 K, and a better than an average 1.22 K per inning. Sixteen (16) pitchers had at least a K, and six (6) two K in their IP.Seventeen (17) of the combined East and West 22 pitchers pitched shutout ball, with only five of the pitchers allowing any of the eight runs scored.East pitchers, New Hampshire's Jordan Romano and TJ Zeuch and Portland's Matt Kent and Kyle Hart didn't allow a hit until Harrisburg's Taylor Gushue singled for the West with one out in the fifth inning.
Colorado Rockies 2016 # 1 draft pick, TJ Zouch, pitched a scoreless 3rd inning for the East.The defense of both teams was flawless as neither made an error the entire game.East runners, New Hampshire's Jonathan Davis stole second base off strong armed Harrisburg's catcher Taylor Gushue in the first, and Hartford's Sam Hilliard off Bowie's Michael Cervenka in the seventh inning.Phillies Jan Hernandez's solo HR added to to the East's lead in the bottom of the 4th inning.
East's Jan Hernandez's solo HR in the bottom of the 4th made the score 3-0The West's offensive attack began for real in the fifth when Akron's Joe Sever and Connor Mirabell and Altoona's Ke'Bryan Hayes put together one -out hits, Mirabell and Hayes tagging up on a fly ball hit by Erie's Will Maddox, and Mirabell scoring on wild pitch to lift the West into a 3-3 tie.The West went ahead 4-3 in the eighth inning on Richmond and Bush's All Star MVP winner Luigi Rodriquez' blast of a 0-1 offering over the left center fence.
Richmond Flying Squirrels and Giants minor leaguer, Luigi Rodriquez won the Bush All Star MVP West (and Altoona Curve) manager, Michael Ryan complimented Rodriquez after the game, "He's just a special hitter with the hand eye coordination that he has. He's a special type of player....."The East rallied to tie the score in the 9th inning when Binghamton's Patrick Mazurka singled and scored the tying run on a double hit by the home team Trenton's Trey Amburgey.To resolve the 4-4 tie game, Altoona's Will Craig and Reading's Zach Green played a form of sandlot's "flies and grounders," so many points for hitting a homer over the fence, line drive up the alleys, grounders,..................with Craig outhitting his opponent to win the game for the West Division.East manager, Jay Bell thought it was a great game. "For me, it's about all the players getting in the game and showing their talent and I think both sides accomplished that. tonight"
Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 #1 Draft Pick, Will Craig won the "flies and grounders" and 2018 All Star Game for the West
Keegan Akin, Leftie on the Rise by Rodger M. Wood
Left handed pitchers are at a premium in the major leagues, every team wants one or two of them on their pitching staffs, if not more, to get those tough hitters out in the opposing teams' lineups.
The Orioles are fortunate enough to have some good ones in their minor league organization, but flying high above the radar right now at AA - Bowie Bay Sox is their Baseball America (BA) ranked 11th top minor league prospect, 23 year old LHP Keegan Akin.The Orioles drafted Akin 2nd (54th overall) in 2016, out of Western Michigan University, where he had set the school's single season strikeout record (133), was named BA Third Team All America, and had streaks of 30.2 and 22.2 innings pitched without an earned run.,Three weeks after the draft, he was showing Orioles minor league brass enough stuff on and off the mound with Rookie A- Aberdeen Iron Birds (0-1 W-L, 1.04 ERA, 29 K, 7 BB, 9 GS, 25 IP) to warrant skipping him past Low A- Delmarva Shorebirds and starting him in his first full professional 2017 season at Fast A, Carolina League Frederick KeysWith the Keys, he pitched a 100 innings, and mixing his 92-93 mph sinker, which he could locate inside to both left and right handed batters, with an 82 - 85 mph change up, he struck out an average of more than one of those older, more savvy Carolina League hitters per inning and a 111 for the season.
This season the young left-hander has been challenged by AA - Eastern League competition. " I'm trying to learn how to command each of my pitches to the maximum in any given situation. If you get behind hitters in the count in this league, you'll pay the price. I'm trying to see the hitter's swing and pitch to it. This season my goals have been to work hard, refine my pitches, be consistent, and stay healthy."So far this season, he has pitched 9 quality starts, after allowing only one run over 7 IP June 21st against Harrisburg, and allowing a pair of runs with 7 K against Portland Sea Dogs June 15th.He has given up only two earned runs or less in 11 of his 15 starts this season, including 6 of his last 7 games. He is 7th in the Eastern League with 95 K, 5th with a 2.98 ERA, and with 8 wins, is tied for 2nd in wins.Named an All Star, he will be pitching for the West Division in the 2018 Eastern League All Star Game Wednesday, July 11th at Trenton, NJ.Bay Sox pitching coach Kennie Steenstra thinks highly of the youngster, "Keegan Akin is one of the best pitching prospects in the Orioles minor league organization. We're working hard on sound fundamentals, mechanics, and improving his slider to go along with his fast ball and change up, If he keeps delivering like he has been, I believe we're looking at a pitcher who will be throwing at Camden Yards some day soon."
****************************************************************************************NoteBowie players, parents, family members, friends can see and if they want obtain a copy of photos taken during the 2018 season and before at woodsportsphotography / photo galleries / featured photos / Bowie Bay Sox 2018.
Alex Wells, Ready for the Challenge by Rodger M. Wood
Australian Orioles LHP prospect, Alex Wells, knows it will be challenging for him to pitch at Camden Yards some day, but he is showing positive signs he will be ready for the test.In 2012, Baseball Almanac listed only 31 Aussies who had played in at least one major league game, 21 pitchers and 10 position players. While White Sox RHP Grant Balfour pitched in the 2013 All Star Game, but other star Australian players have been far and few in between.Almost every single kid in Australia is said to play at least some T- ball, but 99 percent of them will never play the sport again afterwards. -They leave and play rugby, cricket and other sports.Alex and his twin brother Lachlan, growing up in Newcastle, did the reverse. They played cricket first and then switched to baseball. Alex said, "it was a natural adjustment for them. The sports were very similar in skills requirements and fundamentals."Both pitched youth and school ball, Lachlan a RHP, and Alex a LHP, and made the roster of the Australia National Baseball Team in the World Baseball Classic.In 2015, the Minnesota Twins signed Lachlan to a contract as an international free agent, shortly afterwards, the Orioles signed Alex to a $300,000 contract. Reports are that Lachlan was signed first because he threw a couple mph faster than Alex, but Alex was said to be the better long term major league prospect.
In the short season Rookie NY/Penn League at Aberdeen in 2016, Alex was 4-5 W-L, compiling a 2.15 ERA in 13 GS, 62.2 IP. He walked only 9 batters, and struck out 50.In 2017 at Low A-Delmarva, Wells pitched even better, 11-5 W-L, 2.38 ERA, 25 GS, 140 IP, 10 BB and a phenomenal 113 K. When presenting Alex the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award, Orioles General Manager, Dan Duquette predicted, "Hopefully we'll see Alex out here pitching for the Orioles soon."Wells dominated at Delmarva for long stretches last season. In a 5 straight starts stretch, 31 IP, he didn't allow a run. The last 66 IP, he did not walk a single batter. Command of his pitches, and getting the ball over the plate without the batter hitting it were his forte. .So far in the current season at Fast A- Frederick, he is 2-5, with a 3.90 ERA in 80.2 IP, 53 K and 24 BB. Alex admits the Carolina League experience is very challenging. "The first time around the circuit, I was getting acquainted with the hitters. They are very tough outs, very challenging lineups. I'm trying to pound the K-zone and get the hitters out."A former Orioles, Red Six and A's pitcher himself and Orioles minor league pitching coordinator, John Wasdin says "Wells is definitely a good prospect. This season is challenging for him, the hitters are more advanced, older, but he's learning how to use his pitches against them, and how to repeat the mechanics. He is making good progress in learning how to read their swings and get them out.The (4 seam) fast ball is his primary weapon, he throws in the high 80s and tops out about 91-92. He uses his fast ball aggressively to set up his curve and change up which he throws with a convincing arm action and nice sinking action. Some think his fast ball will top out about 91-92 mph, but with his heart, athleticism, and hard work between starts, I think his velocity may increase." .He must be succeeding in meeting the Carolina League challenges because he was named a 2018 Carolina League All Star and pitched the 5th inning of the All Star Game at Zebulon, North Carolina on June 19th, allowing just a hit and 2 unearned runs.Last spring Baseball America named him the Orioles 2018 thirteenth top minor league prospect.Step by step, slowly but surely, Alex is overcoming the obstacles and lowering the odds that he will indeed pitch at Camden Yards.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Parents, family members, teammates,and friends can view and if they want obtain copies of the photos I took at Alex's start against Winston Salem 29th in the photo galleries / featured photos / Frederick Keys 2018.*******************************************************************************************************************************************In the August issue of the Orioles Kids Magazine, Alex will be featured in a Minor Marvels interview by David Driver.****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
East and West Division Teams, , 2018 Midwest League All Star Game Action Photos On Web
The over 300 action photos I took at the 2018 Midwest League All Star Game on June 19th at Lansing, Michigan are now all published on this web page at woodsportsphotography / photo galleries / featured photos / Midwest League All Star Game, West Division 2018 and Midwest League All Star Game, East Division 2018.Players, parents, family member, and friends can view all of the photos and if they want buy copies of the photos in any size as listed.East Division Players Photos Available: West Division Players Photos AvailableMiguel Amaya, South Bend, Chicago Cubs Austin Beck, Beloit Snappers, Oakland A'sWill Benson, Lake County, Cleveland Indians Matt Brill, Kane County Cougars, Arizona D'BacksMaximo Castillo, Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto Blue Jays Jazz Chisholm, Kane County Cougars, Arizona D'BacksHenrik Clementine, Ft. Wayne, San Diego Padres Trace Loehr, Beloit Snappers, Oakland A'sRollie Lacy, South Bend, Chicago Cubs Ryan Costello, Clinton, Seattle MarinersNick Margevicius, Ft Wayne, San Diego Padres Julio Garcia, Burlington Bees, Los Angeles AngelsRiley O'Brien, Bowling Green, Tampa Rays Torii Hunter, Burlington Bees, Los Angeles AngelesKevin Vicuna, Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto Blue Jays Alex Korilloff, Cedar Rapids, Minnesota TwinsJared Walker, Great Lake Loon, Los Angeles Dodgers Royce Lewis, Cedar Rapids, Minnesota TwinsChavez Young, Lansing Lugnuts, Toronto Blue Jays Luis Maduro, Burlington Bees, Los Angeles AngelesJared Young, South Bend, Chicago Cubs Wyatt Marks, Beloit Snappers, Oakland A'sRenae Martinez, Kane County Cougars, Arizona D'BacksElehuis Montero, Peoria, St. Louis CardinalsDemi Orimoloye, Wisconsin, Milwaukee BrewersDennis Ortega, Peoria, St. Louis CardinalsHenry Payton, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Brewers
2018 Midwest League All Star Game Was a Show Case of Talent - by Rodger M. Wood
The 2018 Midwest League All Star Game, played in front of 9,396 fans at Cooley Law School Stadium, the home of the Lansing (Michigan) Lug Nuts, was a showcase of young ball players with lots of major league potential, playing a 10 inning walk off 3-2 game.Midwest League All Star game MVP, Reds prospect, 1B, Montrell Marshall made the game ending exciting, driving in Dayton Dragons' teammate, Stuart Fairchild from second base with a two out single on a 1-2 count to score the winning run.Twenty eight pitchers from both the East and West Division squads allowed only 15 hits, struck out 20 hitters, and did not walk a man.Twenty-four of the 28 pitchers of record threw shutout ball, 17 of the pitchers struck out a batter, and three, Blue Jays and LansingRHP Maximo Castillo, Reds and Dayton RHP, game winning pitcher, John Ghyzel, and Angels and Burlington RHP Luis Maduro stuck out two batters each in an IP.
Luis Maduro struck first two batters in bottom of the 2nd InningThe East Division drew first blood in the bottom of the 1st inning on Blue Jays prospect and home field Lug Nuts 2B Kevin Vicuna's double to left center field, and Tampa and Bowling Green's Tyler Wells clutch single up the middle to score the run.
Kevin Vicuna rifles a double up the lf/cf alley in the bottom of the first inning.The East added to their lead in the bottom of the 5th inning on Dodger's and Great Lakes 3B Jared Walker's HR off a 1-2 pitch, making the game 2-0.
Jared Walker gets ahold of ball HR in bottom of 5th.In the top of the sixth, the West Division hit balls that started to see some light and fall in. With 2 outs, Los Angeles Angels and Burlington Bees 3B Julio Garcia drove in Cardinals and Peoria's Yariel Gonzalez from 1B with a double to right center field, making the score 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.Tension building up with two outs in the top of the 8th inning, Twins and Burlington Bees' RF, Alex Kirilloff came through in the clutch with a hard hit single to right field to drive in the 2-2 tying run.
Alex Kirilloff hits away in the 8thNeither side made an error in the game and it wasn't because the players stayed away from making hard plays. Royce Lewis, #1 Twins Baseball America minor league prospect, 2017 #1 Draft, and Cedar Rapids SS stood out in the field for the first four innings of the game. In the bottom of the second inning, he made an unbelievable play, going wide to his left behind 2B, driving for the ball, getting up, and throwing the runner out at 1B by a nick to end the inning.
Royce Lewis goes after a pop up in bottom of 3rd.East Division manager, Cesar Martin thought, "both teams played a really good game and both sides made some good defensive plays as well."West Division and Quad Cities manager, Mickey Storey agreed, "It was a phenomenally- well played game by both sides.****************************************************************************Rays Ronaldo Hernandez Win HR DerbyBefore the Midwest League All Star Game, Bowling Green Hot Rods and Tampa Bay Rays Baseball America 12th top minor league prospect, 20 year old Colombian catcher, Ronaldo Hernandez won the Midwest League All Star Homerun Derby, beating a close second place contender, Indians top 8th Baseball America prospect Will Benson in a close contest.
Ronaldo Hernandez Hits Away in HR Derby