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
Victor Robles, A Star in the Making by Rodger M. Wood
It is truly a pleasure watching 20 - year Victor Robles mold his five tool talent together at Fast A - Potomac Nationals this season.Getting his feet wet the past three seasons in DSL and GCL rookie ball and Low A SALLY Hagerstown, he is stealing bases, hitting singles, doubles, triples and homers, throwing out runners testing his arm, and catching rocket shots up the alleys nowadays at Potomac.
In a typical game against Salem a couple weeks ago, he led off with a double, stretched it to a triple when the Salem right fielder bobbled the ball, and scored on an infield out.In his second time at bat, he showed a bunt first pitch, protecting the runner stealing second. While he ended up flying to left field, he did his job advancing the runners.In his third AB, he reached out and slapped a single to left field, and scored on a teammate' double to right.
For nine innings, he hustled out in centerfield, backing up the plays, racing after well hit balls, throwing to the right bases to stop advancing runners and generally taking charge as a good CFer should.Although missing two weeks of game play at the end of April due to a hamstring injury, in 37 games this season, 136 AB, he is hitting 296 BA, 7 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, and drove in 17 RBI from a mostly leadoff position in the batting order.His OBP 391 is ideal for a leadoff hitter - he gets on base 39.1 % of ABs, and 526 SLG shows he can hit for power, lots of doubles, triples, and HR.
And Victor just turned twenty May 19th and already is successfully hitting against older savvy Carolina League pitchers, who know well how to pitch an anxious rookie.But mature beyond his years, Victor is laying back and getting his licks. He is blending bunting, hitting away, waiting out pitches and varying his hitting strategies to confuse those opposing older players.He is marrying good hitting with the defensive facets of his game to show all of the signs of becoming a star.And when he puts it all together, he has the potential to be what the Washington Nationals have always dreamt about - a superstar in centerfield leading off in the batting order at Nationals Stadium.
Whole Different Ball Game in Frederick
It is a whole different ball game at Frederick this season. The parent Baltimore Orioles have stocked their Fast A, Carolina League affiliate with several minor league cream of the crop prospects, and these youngsters are running around the bases, scoring runs, making plays, pitching good baseball and winning lots of ball games.Every fifth day, you can see 2017 BA #2 Orioles prospect and 2016 1st round draft pick out of the University of Illinois, RHP Cody Sedlock and 2017 BA #6 Orioles prospect and 2016 2nd round pick LHP Keegan Akin pitch.
Cody Sedlock fires a strikeAt SS you'll find another 1st Rounder (2015) 20-year 6-3 BA #3 Orioles prospect, Ryan Mountcastle, who reminds many fans of former great Cal Ripken at the same position.
Ryan Mountcastle Fires to FirstAt 3B, you'll find another 20-year old, power hitting BA #8 Jomar Reyes, who the Orioles are looking down the road for the long ball that characterizes their everyday lineup now.
Domar Reyes Hits AwayFleet footed BA #7 Austin Hays, 2016 3rd rounder out of Jacksonville University covers the ground in center field and BA #24 Randolph Gassaway left field.
Austin Hays also hits for average and powerSplitting the catching and dh, power hitting BA #31 Yermin Mercedes rounds out the lineup.At a game last week end, I had an unexpected thought when Frederick was at the plate. The Keys youngsters were so aggressive, hungary for a hit, and clobbering the ball I thought about the old 1927 New York Yankees "Murderers Row," (Combs, Koenig, Ruth, Gehrig, Meuse, and Lazzeri). While a stretch comparison, watch these youngster play at Frederick, AA- Bowie, AAA- Norfolk in coming seasons and mark my words, you may be seeing a couple major league superstars in the making.
Keegan Akin Delivers Home
Yoan Moncada - Enough Fight or Also Ran
The Chicago White Sox can only hope they acquired the superstar prospect they bargained for last December when trading ace left-hander Chris Sales to the Boston Red Sox for Yoan Moncada, and three other young minor league players.Why would the Red Sox give up on the 21-year old, switch hitting Cuban exile they reportedly paid $31.5 millions dollars to sign less than two years ago.His future is still touted. At Low A - Greenville in 2015, he hit 278 BA, 8 HR and 38 RBIs in 306 AB in 81 GP, at Fast A - Salem in 2016, 307 BA, 4 HR, 34 RBI in 228 AB in 61 GP, and second half 2016, at AA- Portland, 277 BA, 11 HR, 28 RBI in177 AB in 45 GP.Baseball soothsayers still report Moncada is the next best thing since sliced bread. He is rated BA 2nd best of its top 100 2017 major-league prospects, the White Sox's BA #1 prospect and a five tool player ready to explode onto the major league scene. He is also on display on the cover of Baseball America Prospect Handbook.Did the Red Sox sour on the young prospect during his 8 GP trial with the parent club last September, when tried at 3B, he hit only a double and three singles in 19 AB in 8 GP, and did not show the power aptitude for 3B play or as Dustin Pedroia's replacement at 2B.
Maybe Red Sox development folks thought Moncada expendable after watching 20-year old 2017 BA Red Sox #2 prospect, 3B Rafael Devers' rapid development at Fast A- Salem in 2016. I was told by a major league scout at Frederick last season that Devers was the best player on the field, both teams considered.Did it hurt Moncada striking out 12 of 19 AB at Boston, or 207 of 711 minor league AB and struggling with a low learning curve when given instruction by Red Sox hitting gurus trying to help him shorten his long swing to reach his power potential consistently against older, savvy Fast A and AA pitchers.Did it hurt him showing a "me now" attitude in the minors, coming out for infield practice, a couple minutes after the 3B, SS, and 1B had already started the grounder warmups or struggling to accept coaching tips on how to play the Red Sox way.Did it hurt the young prospect ignoring young kids (and adults) requests for autographs and a few minutes conversation at every park in the SALLY, Carolina, and Eastern League he played the past two seasons.Will it hurt him at Chicago having to beat out hard hitting Todd Frazier or BA #13 White Sox prospect Trey Michalczewski at 3B or Bret Laurie at 2B.An old baseball philosopher, Mark Twain, once spoke an adage which is applicable to young Moncada, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." You can measure how fast Moncada runs, how far he throws, how many fly balls he catches, and how many hr, and base hits he hits, but you cannot measure the size of his desire to win, or his effort to develop his unlimited skills by listening to folks who know.As Carlos Beltran warned the world baseball when asked last July about the prospects the Yankees received in return in trade for Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and himself, "A prospect is a prospect. It doesn't mean they're going to become a player."The question about this young prospect's future is still out there, Will Yoan Moncada knuckle down to be a bonafide major league star or be content to be just another also ran.
Rodger's Pick #2, Yoan Aybar. Lowell Spinners by Rodger M. Wood
Just turned 19 years old on July 3rd, Dominican outfielder Yoan Aybar is just now starting to grow into his 5-tool talent at Boston Red Sox Rookie A - NY Penn League Lowell Spinners.He swings hard, and shows potential for lots of home run and extra base power. He runs like a gazelle in the outfield and has the speed to steal bases. Possessing a strong arm, he can gun down runners from deep cf or rf corners, and if not an outfielder, he could conceivably be developed into a pitcher. The southpaw can play any outfield position but would excel in tough to handle rf, where the hard hit balls sometimes curve away from his left handed outfielders'' gloves.At Lowell this season, the still growing 6-2, 185 youngster is still struggling to cut his long swing down, while at the same time hitting 198 BA, 2 2B, 2 3B, a HR and driving in 7 rbi in 96 AB in 26 GP.As a 16 and 17 year old in 2014 and 2015 seasons, he played with the Red Sox DSL affiliate hitting 271 BA, 0 HR, 26 RBI in 56 GP in 2014, and 268 BA, 0 HR, 16 RBI in 157 AB in 45 GP.In February, 2016, Baseball America rated Yoan the Boston Red Sox 22nd highest prospect.He is also working on the rudiments of playing the outfield at Lowell, where he has caught up with 60 fly balls in 215 IP, but because he can catch up to lots of balls that others cannot, missed 4 tough chances.With his strong arm, he has thrown out 2 runners trying to stretch hits into another base or score from second.
Yoan is the type of young man you want to see succeed. He has not mastered English yet but with a happy, smiling face, he communicates understanding and lots of good feelings to fans, teammates, coaches, and friends. He tries hard, catches on quickly and is eager to please. Although having to model my gyrations, he excelled in his photo shoot, doing as well as Jacoby Ellsbury and many other soon to be major leaguers did in the past, With a conscientious attitude, combined with talent, once he' grasps the nuances of major league baseball, this youngsters's way to the majors will be accelerated, someday, I hope to be one of the best right fielders in Fenway history..
Rodger's Pick - Chandler Shepherd, Pawtucket Red Sox
I decided to pick up on my "Rodger's Pick" article on this my second road trip of the 2016 season.i have seen all of the Red Sox top pitching prospects Baseball America, ESPN, and other journals have touted this season, LHP Brian Johnson, and RHP Henry Owens at AAA Pawtucket, RHP Ty Buttrey and Teddy Stankiewicz and LHP William Jerez and Luis Ysla at AA Portland, LHP Trey Ball and RHP Michael Kopec at Salem and Lowell, RHP Anderson Espinoza at Low A -Greenville. While all of them have major league talent,they are struggling and are not ready for the bigs. There is an untouted 23-year RHP at AAA Pawtucket, however, who is showing signs he is nearly ready for Fenway Park..Chandler Shepherd is the complete package. Red Sox fans will love him. He is a pit bull on the mound, capable of filling any hole on the Red Sox pitching staff. has a three pitch repertoire, low 90 FB, above average breaking ball, and effective change up. While Craig Kimbel isn't abdicating his stopper role very soon or Junichi Tarawa his set up role, Shepherd would be great insurance for the 9th inning stopper and 8th inning set up man or any other role in the bull pen.Off the mound he is a polite young man, who jells well with the fans, signing autographs by the droves,and appreciative of the opportunity baseball has given him to succeed. He gives 100% on every pitch. He hustles to cover the 1B bag on balls hit to his right, or plays at the plate.After achieving 6 saves, 39K, 10 BB, 1.80 ERA in 30 IP in 22 appearances at AA - Portland this season, Shepherd was promoted to AAA Pawtucket where in 6 appearances, 9.2 IP, he proceeded to get a save, 5K, 2 BB.The 6'3" RHP has been groomed to put out the fires in the late innings at the University of Kentucky in 2012 - 2014, where he started only 10 games in three seasons, and professional career with the Red Sox at NY/Penn League Rookie A - Lowell (2014), SALLY Low A Greenville, Fast A - Salem and Arizona Fall League Scottsdale in 2015 where he started one game in 83 GP.He may be ready by the minor league callup deadline for going up to a 40-player roster September 1st, just in time to help the home team win their division and go strong into the playoffs.
2015 Season Off To A Good Start
By Rodger M. WoodThe Latin teacher whom I was subbing for nearly the past two school years did me and my baseball photography a hugh favor when she returned to her classroom April 7th with a clean bill of health.Unlike the past two seasons when I couldn’t get started shooting my photos, except on weekends until mid-June, I immediately drove off on a Zebulon, NC junket to see the young Salem Avalanche and Carolina Mud Cats play a weekend series of day baseball.Blessed with the likes of Boston Red Sox 21-year 5-tool outfielder Manny Margot, hard hitting 1B Sam Travis, 2013 1st Round pick LHP Trey Ball, RHP Teddy Stankiewicz, and 2B Wendell Rijo, Salem is loaded with top prospects, who are making baseball fun again in the Shenadoah Valley.
(Manny Margot Swinging a Bat at Carolina)Carolina, a Fast A- Atlanta Braves affiliation, had 2012 #1 Round draft pick, RHP Lucas Sims, BA #8 Braves prospect Johan Camargo, and BA #14 Braves RHP prospect Maurico Cabrera on their roster. I also singled out Carolina quick outfielder Sean Godfrey for some attention from my camera. And even better yet, Derrick Lewis is their pitching coach, and Carlos Mendez., their hitting coach, both of whom were subjects themselves of my camera during their playing days at AAA Richmond in 2002 and Fast A Wilmington. In 1990.
(Johan Camargo, BA Braves #8 Prospect)I followed up Zebulon with trips to Frederick MD for a Carolina League doubleheader between Cleveland Fast A Lynchburg Hill Cats and Orioles’ Frederick Keys, and to AA-Bowie, MD where I saw the the San Francisco Giants Flying Squirrels play the Baltimore Orioles AA- affiliate Bowie Bay Sox.Frederick is blessed with the talent galore, namely BA #2 Orioles prospect, Hunter Harvey, BA #4 prospect catcher Chance Sisco, RHP Jon Keller, Brooks Robinson 3B look alike, 22-year Drew Dosch, RHP David Hess, SS Adrian Marin, CF Josh Hart, and 1B Trey Mancini. I always shoot many of my best shots in the comfort of Keys Stadium, and kept my camera busily focused on these future Camden Yards stars all afternoon.
(Drew Dosch Goes After a Bunt)Lynchburg is blessed considerably with a pair of fast, hard-hitting, impressive young outfielders, Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier.At Bowie, while I didn’t see Orioles’ BA #1 Dylan Bundy, I did see his older brother, Bobby Bundy pitch a shutdown 9th inning. Bobby has been out a couple seasons while he recuperated from injuries.
(Bobby Bundy Mows Down The Side in the 9th)I also saw San Fran BA #12 Chris Stratton pitch 7 innings for Richmond. SF BA#3 Kyle Crick didn’t pitch.The following day, April 22nd I traveled to Hagerstown, MD for the first tiime this season to see the young, Low-A SALLY League,Washington Nationals Hagerstown Suns play their Orioles’ counterpart Delmarva Shore Birds.Hagerstown has some young pitchers to look at but Delmarva has a something else 3b Jomar Reyes, to whom I paid lots of attention .
(Jomar Reyes Guards the Corner)The Sunday following, April 26th I saw Lynchburg again, this time at Potomac, VA where I started shooting photos back in 1985 when young outfielder Barry Bonds starred there, I once saw him make two errors in one game out there in rightfield, where the lights were dim. At the same time I saw him hit lots of rocket shots out of the ball park too.Wilmer Difo was the hottest Washington Nationals prospect playing there at that time, and as a shortstop may give them insurance for free agent Ian Desmond moving on next season.Wlmer Difo has since moved on to AA-Harrisburg, where I saw him play Sunday May 10th against the Pittsburgh Pirates AA-Altoona Curve.
(Wilmer Difo Steals 3B)At Harrisburg that day, it was nostalgic time for me there as I saw two of my old favorites there, Altoona manager Tom Prince and hitting coach, Miquel Perez. Tommy taught me a new vocabulary in the 1980s when he played for Prince William (Potomac), Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh.I first saw Miquel catch in the Pioneer League for the Cincinnati Reds – rookie league affiliate Billings Mustangs –at Ogden Utah in 2003 on an August day so scorching hot that you couldn’t sit comfortably or rest your camera equipment on a cast iron picnic table.I was particularly happy to be able to see a 3-game Red Sox Low A - Greenville Drive/Hagerstown Suns series in early May to culminate the first month of the season, I’ve been a photographer since 1993 for not only Baseball America but also a super Red Sox fan must magazine, which is sold outside of Fenway Park, “Boston Baseball.” Unlike the past two seasons when I could only travel to the ball parks on the weekends until mid-June, this season I could travel up to Hagerstown MD Friday, May 1st, Sunday, May 3rd, and Monday, May 4th for two beautiful day and one early evening ball games.The Greenville Drive has the likes of 3B Rafael Devers on their team, who clobbered two homeruns in one game, balls which are still probably in flight over Hagerstown now as they were blasts and a half.
(Rafael Devers Hits the 1st of Two HR at Hagerstown)I was in my glory getting great posed and action shots of Rafael, as well as the other Red Sox prospects 3B/SS Michael Chavis, SS Javier Guerra, RHP Michael Kopech, SS Maurico Dubon, 1B/OF Nick Longhi, and a young outfielder, Carlos Mesa, whose numbers and demeanor also impressed me a great deal..Wednesday, May 6th, I topped everything off by getting the opportunity from Baseball America to shoot the major league Miami Marlins/Washington Nationals game at Nats Park, in Washington, DC I thought for a moment when I saw the ball hit high towards right field again, that I was going to shoot a record setting four homeruns by Bryce Harper that day but unfortunately the ball dried midway and he was stopped at three.
(Bryce Harper Hits 3rd HR of the game)It was great seeing my old friends from the minors, my old body guard, Nats bullpen coach, Matt Lecroy, who protected me once when the going got tough one time in Ft. Myers, FL, Nats bullpen coach, bench coach Randy Knorr, young outfielder, Michael Taylor, pitcher Jordan Zimmerman, 2B Danny Espinosa, 1B Ryan Zimmerman, RF Jayson Werth and other players I got to know in the minors.Yes! The Latin teacher truly did me a favor – I have seen eighteen ball games already as of May 14th , sixteen day and only two early evening ball games, fifteen different teams, including two major league teams, at least half of the games ones, which I wouldn’t have been able to see if I was teaching Monday – Friday. While I miss the high school students, who kept me younger with their high energy levels, I enjoy getting to the ballgames earlier, to mingle, and feed off of the dreams of the young minor league ball players.My photography is already at mid season form, I have improved my hitting and action shots by following a more self disciplined “see the shot first, then shoot” approach, and believe my pictures are more worthy of a major magazine cover or two because of their improved quality.The sun has been shining bright for me – I am getting my second wind when most aging folks are putting down their cudgels, and all of a sudden, my dear wife is saying my photography is again the driving force in my life.
Howerter Knocks In Winning Runs for Walk Off Win for JV Raiders
With ducks on the pond in he bottom of the 8th inning, Loudoun County/Heritage JV game tied 7-7, RF Kooper Howerter stepped up to the plate, worked himself to a full 3-2 count, and rifled a walk off game winning double up the left/center field gap to win the last game of the season for his Loudoun County Raider teammates, 8-7.If you want to view action shots of this game winning effort, check in on this link http://photos.woodsportsphotography.com/p104993694
Loudoun County JV Softballers Beat Heritage in Walk Off Win
Loudoun County JV softball team beat Heritage HS 6-5 in a walk off win in the bottom of the 7th inning their last game of the season on Tuesday, May 21st.3B/ P Morgan Hunt rifled a double up the right centerfield alley to score the go ahead runs.You can view action photos of the game on this link: http://photos.woodsportsphotography.com/p948937770
Woodgrove Girls Beat Loudoun County 3-0 in District Play
In another tight game between the two teams, Woodgrove avenged an earlier season 2-1 loss by beating Loudoun County 3-0, Friday, May 9th.Check in the following link to see some photos of the action. http://photos.woodsportsphotography.com/p496948294 or you can access the photo galleries of this web page and scroll down to the desired photo folder.
Loudoun County Raiders Beat Woodgrove HS for First Place Tie
The Loudoun County Raiders beat Woodgrove Friday night May 9th 8-7 to move into a first place tie in district play. If you want to see some action shots of the game, here's a link: http://photos.woodsportsphotography.com/p221595581You can also access the photos by going into photo galleries of this web page and scrolling down to the photo folder.
1974 Lower Loudoun Champions Coming Home!
by Rodger M. WoodThe Sterling boys who thrilled Sterling, Loudoun County and the Washington Metropolitan Area with their winning exploits the Summer of 1974 are coming home to roost in their laurels.Friends, fans, supporters, coaches, and players are all invited to remininse with them at a 40th year reunion, 8 -12 PM, Friday, April 25th at O’Malley’s Pub, Sterling Holiday Inn, 45425 Holiday Drive, Sterling VA 20166.The next day, the team will be honored at a special opening day ceremony at the Little League Field at the Sterling Golf and Tennis Course, 8:30 AM, Saturday, April 26th and all are invited to attend that gala affair too.Starting in early July, 1974 and lasting to late August, these fifteen, then 14 and 15 year old Sterling VA Lower Loudoun Little League Senior Division baseball players, won 6 straight ball games against long odds and established senior division little league teams from the Shenadoah Valley, Norfolk, Richmond, and North Springfield to win district and State of Virginia championships.Not ending their winning streak there, they traveled on by airplane to Louisville, KY to beat the odds again by defeating strong State of West Virginia and Kentucky State Champions in a 3-game series to win a Division title.With no time to lose because of rainouts, they flew out of Louisville after the last game to Atlanta GA, then rode an old rickoty school bus to a little hamlet 20 miles northwest of Athens GA, called Elberton GA where they beat a mighty state of Texas champion but lost twice to a strong Florida team out of Tampa that went on to the National World Series in Gary IND.Newspaper headlines and articles in the Loudoun Times Mirror, Washington Post, and Evening Star touted the feats of these boys.Crowds heralded them at “ticker tape” parades and ceremonies twice at Bill Allen Field upon their return from the state and regional tournaments.The Loudoun Board of Supervisors recognized their outstanding sportsmanship in a proclamation they presented to them at a special session in Leesburg.These boys who were special in many ways on and off the diamond are coming back home after forty years to enjoy their fields of dreams. The Sterling Community would do well to celebrate their return and special goodness all over again.1974 Lower Loudoun Little League, Senior Division RosterManager: Ben AnchBench Coach: Rodger M. WoodCoach: Hubert GoodePitching Coach: Dan FritzCoach: Tommy ThompsonPlayers:Brent ByerBilly DellingerChris DonaldsonDanny Fritz (dec.)Jim HamrickJohn KeeslingMike KegleyTom MeredithKevin MillerKevin O’MalleyTom SchrayCurt Sieber (dec.)Mark SmithMatt SmithSkip Young