2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part Four

Mike Wright, Bowie Bay SoxI drove around the beltway and up Route 50 to Bowie, MD five times this season to see the Baltimore Orioles AA Eastern League affiliate, Bowie Bay Sox.Having 23-year old 6’6” RHP Mike Wright help me out by posing for shots for the Orioles Kid Magazine before a Richmond game and seeing him shut down a good New Hampshire Fisher Cats team later in August were a couple more 2013 highlights.The pose shots were unique in as much as I got Mike to simulate pitching from the mound rather than the bullpen which justly earned me a lecture from the team media relations for not coordinating the photo shoot in advance.Mike was 11-3 W-L, 3.26 ERA, 136 K and 39 BB in 143.2 IP last season, and the 2013 Eastern League All Star Game MV.He may just take his pitching wares to Baltimore next season, replacing Dylvan Bundy as the Birds next #1 prospect pitcher.

To see more images, click the Photo Galleries link in the above menu and see the Featured Galleries.

2013 Minor League Season In Review: Part Three

Brian Goodwin, Harrisburg SenatorsI love driving down scenic Route 15 all the way to Harrisburg, PA to see the Washington Nationals AA Harrisburg Senators play at newly renovated Metro Bank Park on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River.This year I made the trip three times, and each trip’s pleasure was heightened by a winning Harrisburg club, exciting base running, timely hitting, and the smiling face of Senators’ center fielder and lead off hitter, Brian Goodwin.If Brian can get his batting average up and strikeouts down a bit, this youngster will soon fill the lead off hitter and center fielder need the parent club now has.

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part Two

Manuel Margot, Lowell Spinners

Working with a 19 year old Dominican center fielder, Manuel Margot, was the highlight of my road trip to Pawtucket RI, Norwich CT, June 16 -17th and later Aberdeen MD.Typical of short season NY Penn Leaguer players, Manny was very excited to have his photo taken, and his catchy enthusiasm made it fun for me to take several photos of him.As soon as he realizes his power at the plate potential, the young Red Sox minor leaguer will be a five tool player who will find a home in center field at Fenway Park.

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part One

by Rodger M. WoodEven though committed to teaching Latin at Freedom HS, South Riding, VA, 9 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, until June 8th, and having a slow start to the 2013 Season, shooting at only 9 games by June 2nd , I ended up shooting photos at a total of 59 minor league ball games, including 6 SALLY, Carolina, and Eastern League playoff games.I can’t possibly recount all of the great moments this season because I count seeing old friends in that count and I saw a lot of them. I will limit myself to describing only the season highlights.Javiar Baez Vine Line Cover, February, 2013Before the season even started, Vine Line used one of my posed shots of Baseball America’s Top Chicago Cubs prospect, Javier Baez, on the cover of their February issue. This was my first cover for Vine Line and started the 2013 season on a very high note.Trenton NJ, April 27th – 28th Xander Bogaert and Brandon WorkmanOn my first road trip of the season to Trenton , NJ, I shot posed and action shots of two Portland AA players, who the baseball world would see play in the World Series six months later.Red Sox BA #1 prospect, Xander Bogaert played shortstop in 56 games for the AA Portland Red Sox before advancing to play in 60 games AAA Pawtucket and the parent Boston Red Sox in September to play in the post season classic.Before the first game April 27th, Xander posed for my camera gyrations cheerfully and also gave me a lot of good game shots the two days I was there.After a grueling daily pre game work out, RHP Brandon Workman stopped to pose for some shots too. Little did I know, I would see him pitching against the Cardinals in the World Series only a few moths later.

Another First Round Pick! Tim Anderson, Kannopolis Intimidators

By Rodger M. WoodI photographed another 2013 1st Round Pick, my fourth top pick this season, playing shortstop for Kannapolis at Hagerstown, MD Sunday.The 19-year old East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, Tim Anderson was drafted by the Chicago White Sox 17th overall in the June amateur draft and is getting his first professional exposure at full season Low A SALLY League Intimidators this season.Noted for his speed in junior college, he was second in the nation in college with 41 SB, Anderson is playing a deep shortstop and already stealing a few bases (13 SB in 43 GP) in the pros.Baseball’s soothsayers say he’ll have to change his swing to power the ball  of the park but for the time being, he’ll probably keep hitting for average and getting a lot of base and extra bases hits. His statistics at Kannopolis are 45 hits for 169 AB in 43 GP, 0 HR, 7 2B, and 3 3B.

Some experts project his future position in center field, but his speed can also help him cover lots of ground at shortstop. Sunday, he was practicing his between innings throws from deep in the hole, but his natural position will depend largely on what type of hitter he becomes down the road.

Two #1 Draft Picks!

By Rodger M. WoodRome Braves pitching coach Derrick Lewis is blessed with the responsibility for not only one but two #1 draft pick pitchers this season at the Atlanta Braves Low –A SALLY affiliate.With a 4-4 W-L record, 3.28 ERA in 71.1 IP in this his first full professional season, Atlanta Braves 2012 #1 (21^st overall) Snelville HS RHP Lucas Sims is showing  positive results from Lewis’ savvy pitching instruction.Although 2013 #1 (31^st overall) 21-year RHP Jason Hursh is just getting started with his professional career, Lewis has gotten him showing some encouraging signs throwing his 91-96 fast ball past 7 batters in just 6.2 IP in 3 starts.

Refresh the page if the slideshow does not load. Thanks. Coming off Tommy John surgery in 2012,  Hurst just has to polish his secondary pitches under Lewis to become a bonafide major league prospect.**********************************************************************************It was a pleasure seeing my old friends Rome manager, Randy Ingle, who I have known since he played at AAA-Richmond in 1986,  and hitting coach Bobby Moore, who I first met when I shot his picture at Richmond in 1992.I missed seeing pitching coach Derrick Lewis, as he was on paternity leave celebrating the birth of his first baby girl.  I have known Derrick since he was a young pitcher in the Carolina League at Macon in 1998.The three of them are a class act – I always enjoy seeing my old friends.**********************************************************************************Rome also has a number of other prospects in their lineup:  2013 #8 round draft pick OF Kyle Wren, who is hitting 333 BA, 1 HR, and 6 RBI with 16 hits in 48 AB, RHP Maurico Cabrera, Baseball America’s #6 Braves top minor league prospect, shortstop Jose Peraza, BA #10, BA #19 C Josh Elander, who is crushing the ball with 11 HR, 61 RBI, 318 BA, and BA prospect #21, 3B Carlos Franco.

2013 Altoona Curve Photo Gallery

The 2013 Altoona Curve photo folder has been added to our photo galleries. You can view the Altoona players listed below at this link or by entering the photo galleries.

See it here: Altoona Curve 2013

Henry Urrutia’s for Real!

Rodger’s Pick: Henry Urrutia, Right Fielder, Bowie Baysox

See more Henry Urrutia pictures here.

By Rodger M. WoodI knew that Baltimore Orioles’ 26-year old Cuban defector Henry Urrutia was a bonafide major league prospect in the first inning of the AA - Bowie game on Sunday against Altoona, when Curve’s RHP David Bromberg threw him nothing to hit with a man of 3B and two outs.Another good indication of his potential is his Eastern League leading 355 BA, with a 420 OBP, 7 HR, and 35 RBI in 48 GP.Double A baseball is a good acid test for major league potential and Henry’s passing the test, hitting clean up and playing right field for the Bowie Baysox.Bowie Baysox coaches and Orioles minor league staff swear by him and all indications are he listens to them closely in the batting cage hoping to shorten the time before he can use his five tool potential in right field at Camden Yards.The son of Emidelio Urrutia, Cuban national team OF, Henry starred for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and hit 397 in the Cuba Series Nacional 2009-2010.The Orioles signed him as a free agent for $775,000, but had to wait for him to pay these dividends on their investment until he cleared up visa problems in the 2012 season.

Tigers #1 Jonathan Crawford, Another Frank Lary?

By Rodger M. Wood

See more Jonathan Crawford images here.While I shot photos of Detroit Tigers 2013 #1 (20th overall) draft pick, Jonathan Crawford, in the Norwich Dodd Stadium bullpen on June 17th, I couldn’t help but remember the Tigers’ old Yankee Killer of the late 1950s and early 1960s, RHP Frank Lary.I asked the 21 year old if he had ever heard of Frank Lary, but of course, pitching forty years before he was born, I had to tell him who he was and added that unlike Lary, he would also miss out pitching in old Briggs Stadium, which brought many days of joy to my childhood.Although Jonathan had not heard about the Tigers’ past, he could well be a large part of their future.At Florida the past two seasons, the 6-2, 205 RHP pumped a 92-96 mph fastball and wicked curve past opposing batters. Pitching for a young Gators team in 2013 without much hitting early in the season, he went 0 - 4, but bounced back with a3-2 record to close out the season with a 3-6 W-L record. The highlight of his season was pitching a 2-hit shutout against Ole Mississippi, who went on to do big things in the NCAA tournament.Statistics are deceiving as Baseball America ranked Jonathan the 24th top prospect in the 2013 draft and he had a good 2012 collegiate season. In the opening round of the 2012 NCAA tournament, he limited Austin Peay to one run and four hits over 6 1/3 innings pitched and made the all tournament team.Jonathan has lots of promise and while he reminded me of one of my old favorite, someday the reverse may be true. Looking at my old baseball cards of “Tatoes” Lary, I may well be reminded of an intense young Jonathan Crawford pumping his fastball in the bullpen that day in Norwich.

Another Kaline on the Way in Detroit? Nick Castellanos, Erie Sea Wolves

By Rodger Wood

Older Tigers fans are praying young Tigers BA #2 minor league prospect, Nick Castellanos will develop into a HOF right fielder just like Al Kaline did back in the 1950s.Tigers brass invited comparisons of the 20-year old to the HOFer, who patrolled right field at old Briggs Stadium for over 20 seasons, when figuring 29-year old Miquel Cabrera would be holding down their hot corner for awhile, they moved young Castellanos from 3B to right field at AA-Erie Sea Wolves this past July.Erie manager Chris Cron thinks the youngster has all of the tools to be a good right fielder at the major league level.“He has a strong arm, good speed, moves, and catches the ball well, but he’s playing in only his 46th game in the outfield, and needs to learn the position through a thousand repetitions and lots more hard work.”
Castellanos says he’ll do his best to help his team at the new position. “I never played right field before, I played only shortstop and third base in high school, and minor league ball so I have to learn the hard angles I have to read to catch fly balls and especially line drives off a left handed batter. Right field is a tough position to to play but I’ll do it.”Drafted in the First Supplemental round of the 2010 MLB draft, 44th overall, after he hit 542 BA his senior year at Archbishop McCarthy HS (Southwest Ranches, FL), the young right handed hitter proved he could hit beyond his years at Rookie GCL, Low A - West Michigan, Lakeland. When he stops chasing bad pitches and develops better plate discipline, he has the swing and hitting instincts to develop into a 300 BA and 30 HR major leaguer.He’s advanced fast through the Tigers minor league organization, and while one of the youngest players in AA, he’s proved he can hit the more savvy Eastern League pitchers at AA Erie with a 276 BA in 74 games played, 15 2B, 1 3B, and 7 HR in 301 at bats. As he advanced from rookie to AA - ball, his power statistics have progressively increased against the tougher competition and has done better as the pitchers demonstrated better command of their pitches.When asked about comparison with the Tiger great, Castellanos modestly reflected, “Al Kaline was a great rightfielder, and I don’t think I can ever fill his shoes, but if given a chance, I’ll do my best to give the Tigers another good right fielder. “

Kaline was soft speaking and thankful off the field too. Maybe Nick Castellanos, thankful for the opportunity to play right field, will also be the answer to Tigers fans’ prayers when he runs out on the field.

Top Draft Pick’s Happy To Be A Red Sox: Pat Light – Lowell Spinners

By Rodger M. WoodEven though he was born in Colts Neck, NJ and raised deep in New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies’ territory, Red Sox 2012 MLD 1st round sandwich, and 37th pick overall, Pat Light is overjoyed to be a Boston Red Sox.The 6’6” Monmouth University right hander said the Red Sox drafting him was “a dream come true. The Yankees/Red Sox rivalry across New Jersey is tough, and I probably will lose a few friends saying this, but I consider it to be a privilege to be with the Red Sox and part of that old rivalry. I’d love to beat the Yankees in Fenway Park some day.”Light started 13 games, pitched 75.2 IP, and struck 61 batters for the Blue and White this past college season. Before the 2012 season, he was a Golden Spike or college baseball’s Heisman Trophy Award candidate, and #53 on Baseball America’s pre-season draft prospect list.
After going 20-0 in three seasons at Christian Brothers Academy and winning a New Jersey high school state championship, he was the Minnesota Twins 28th round pick in the 2009 MLD but elected to go onto Monmouth rather than sign.Light throws a four seam fastball as fast as 99 mph, a solid slider, which breaks down and away on righthanded batters, and a split change up in the upper 70s.He knows how to pace himself to go the distance, throwing his fast ball in the low 90s and only occasionally slipping in a fastball in the 96 – 97 mph range to keep the opposing batters honest.
Sometimes victimized by an inconsistent, varying arm slot when throwing his off speed pitches, Light is working on repeating his most effective delivery every pitch at Rookie A NY Penn League Lowell.“Lowell pitching coach Paul Abbott is working with me every day to improve and maintain my mechanics. My slider and change up sometimes lose their effectiveness late in the game when I tire and change my delivery.”The 21-year old hurler must be learning his lessons. At Lowell, he is 0-2 W-L with a good 2.96 ERA in 10 starts and 24.1 iP. He’s stuck out 25 batters and walked only 5. The opposition has scored only 8 earned runs against him.His potential, work ethic, and the way he’s performing at Lowell most certainly make the Red Sox happy too that he’s a Boston Red Sox.****************************************************************************Click here if you want to view more Pat Light and Lowell Spinners photos.See a slideshow.

Cubs 19-Year Javiar Baez Promoted to Fast A

By Rodger M. Wood19-year old shortstop, Javiar Baez,  fed so well off Midwest League pitchers in his first 57 games in his first full professional season at Peoria that the parent Chicago Cubs decided to give him a tougher test at Fast A- Florida State League Daytona midway through the 2012 season.The Cubs $2.625 million dollar investment after they drafted him first (9^th overall) in the 2011 Major League Draft appears to be paying off  handsomely.The promotion came after Baez was named Midwest League Player of the July 9-15 week, after hitting 478 BA, 11 hits in 23 AB, 3 HR, 2 2B, 2 3B, driving in 6 RBI, stealing 2 bases, and scoring two runs. He had hit safely in 11 games and carried a 331 BA for the week.The 6-1, 205 youngster looks like he has the range and speed to play major league shortstop, but still growing, maybe into a Cal Ripken sized shortstop, and competing for the position with another stellar prospect in the Cubs minor league system, Arismendy Alcantara, and Starlin Castro at the major league level, may face a position change to 3B, 2B, catcher or even outfielder in the near future.In 57 games played at Peoria, Baez compiled a 333 BA, 71 hits, 10 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, and 33 RBI in 213 AB. With a 9 BB/48K ratio, he can work on his plate discipline by laying off the bad pitches which Midwest pitchers occasionally fooled him with.Opposing Fast A- pitchers will be more cunning, and throw more good strikes, but once Javiar Baez becomes acclimated to Fast A baseball, it could be just a brief time before he progresses up through AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa to hitting third in the Cubs lineup at Wrigley Field.You can view the photo Peoria Cubs galleries and featured photo folders below:See the slideshow.See the gallery. 

Top White Sox Pick Lights up The Field at Bristol

By Rodger M. Wood

#1 White Sox (13th overall) 2012 draft pick Courtney Hawkins has already shown the potential to dominate a baseball game at Rookie A – Bristol.In the game I saw him play, he singled to get on base his first two AB, stole second base each time, advanced to 3B on an overthrow and scored the first AB on a sacrifice fly, starting the home crowd buzzing at the old Bristol ball park with excitement.Although just an 18 year old, he has a certain aura about him which tells you he’ll get a hit, steal a base, and win a ball game for you.While his speed is rated as only above average, the radar gun doesn’t take into account his baseball canniness, instinct and ability to rile an opposing pitcher into trying to pick him off. I had three perfect opportunities to photograph young Hawkins slideback to 1B in the first inning alone.The book on this phenomen is he needs more plate discipline, but that will come with age. Critics will say he has struck out 27 of 92 AB in 24 games, but overlook the youngster has shown a knack for hitting the long ball with 2 HR and 5 doubles among his first 23 professional hits.Bristol is also loaded six other White Sox’s 2012 draft picks: #3 2B Joey DeMichele, #5 SS Nick Basto, #7 C Jose Barraza, #12 1B Zach Stoner, #19 Alex Williams, #23 CF Kale Kiser, and #31 3B Corey Thompson.You can view photos of all of the draft picks and other players in the photo galleries/featured photo folders/Bristol White Sox 2012 and Courtney.See the slideshow.See the gallery.

Much Cubs Future At Daytona

By Rodger M. Wood

On the first leg of my recent South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee photo shoot, I had the pleasure of taking photos of the young Daytona Cubs before and during games at Daytona and Clearwater.Daytona is blessed with three Baseball America’s “Top 30 Chicago Cubs minor league prospects.”Just returning from a leg injury, Matt Szezur, BA #3, is hitting 270, 2 HR, 24 RBI, and significantly, has 28 SB in 64 games.Since promoted to AA-Tennessee Smokies, RHP Tony Zych, BA #15, was 3-3, 3.19 ERA at Daytona.Rehabbing at Daytona, BA #19 RHP Robert Whitenack started the first game I saw at Daytona and looked stronger each inning pitched against Tampa Yankees.Just as noteworthy as the BA prospects were several other Cubs youngsters.Hitting 306 BA, 7 HR, and 51 RBI in the first half of the season, SS Arismendy Alcantara’s glove and bat are burning up the Florida State League. He will soon be near the top of any Cubs prospect list. .Big tough 1B Greg Rohan is hitting 285, 12 HR, and leading the league with 65 RBI.Starter, LHP Austin Kirk is 4-2, 2.66 ERA, RHP Matt Loosen 7-3, 2.84 ERA, LHP Frank Del Valle 5-3, 3.90, and middle reliever, Eduardo Figueroa 2-2, 3.42 ERA.Speedster OF John Andreoli is hitting 270, 0 HR, and 16 RBI and has 30 SB.As the parent club Chicago Cubs struggles in the NL Central while rebuilding this season, they can be rest assured there is much relief at Daytona on its way up to help them down the road.You can view photos of the Daytona Cubs mentioned above at this link XXXX and all my 151 Daytona Cubs photos in the photo galleries/2012 Daytona Cubs.

2011 Hagerstown Suns Legends Card Set

The Suns are offering a limited edition gift 30-card Hagerstown Suns Legends card set to fans, who purchase their 2012 ticket plan by December 22nd.Legend sets will also be offered for sale to collectors in the Suns store.The card set will include vintage cards of these past Hagerstown Suns players:#1Bryce Harper 2011#2 Jay Gibbons 1999#3 Matt Cain 2003#4 A.J. Cole 2011#5 Mike Coolbaugh 1993#6 Bryce Harper 2011#7 Carlos Gomez 2005#8 Orlando Hudson 1999#9 Francisco Liriano 2002#10 Grady Little 1984#11 Stephen Lombardozzi 2009#12 Felipe Lopez 1999#13 Chris Marrero 2007#14 Jason Martinson 2011#16 Boof Bonser 2001#17 Nyjer Morgan 2010#18 Mike Mussina 1990#19 Jonathon Niese 2006#20 Derek Norris 2009#21 Jim Palmer 1983#22 Brad Peacock 2008-2009#23 Shannon Stewart 1994#24 Drew Storen 2009#25 Stephen Strasburg 2011#26 Vernon Wells 1998#27 Arthur Rhodes 1990-1991#28 Michael Young 1998#29 Ryan Zimmerman 2011#30 Jordan Zimmerman 2010Twenty –six of the photos used for the set were taken from ones I shot at Hagerstown the past 28 years(1983 – 2011).You can view copies of this beautiful card set at this link.

More 2011 Frederick Keys Photos Published

We added 90 more photos of prospects, LHP Nick Haughian, 1B Mike Flacco, SS Manny Machado,2B Jonathan Schoop, and 1B Tyler Townsend to our already large 2011 Frederick Keys photo folder.You can view these 320 photos by clicking on this link or accessing the 2011 Frederick Keys featured photo folder in this web page photo galleries.

More 2011 Bowie Photos Added

We just added 59 newly edited photos to our 2011 Bowie Bay photo folder in the photo galleries of this web page, including many photos of all Bowie top prospects, cf Xavier Avery, 1B Joe Mahoney, 3b/2B Buck Britton, C Caleb Joseph, 2B LJ Hoes, 2B Greg Miclat, SS Pedro Florimon, RHP Pedro Viola, Cole McCurry, and Daniel Klein.Take a look at these photos below:

More Bryce Harper and Harrisburg Senators Photos Added

We added more Bryce Harper, Brad Peacock, Steve Lombardozzi, Tyler Moore, Derek Norris and other Washington Nationals AA  prospects  photos to our 2011 Harrisburg Senators photo folder in the featured photo galleries of this web page.

You can see all of these new and old 2011 Harrisburg photos by clicking on this link.

Hickory’s Loaded with Top Talent!

By Rodger M. Wood

Led by All Stars at practically every position in the lineup, Texas Rangers’ Low A affiliate Hickory Crawdads won the 1^st Half SALLY Northern Division and are leading White Sox’ Kannopolis Intimidators by a game in the 2^nd Half.

Alejandro Selen (296 BA, 11 HR, 38 RBI in just 58 GP) is at 1B, Odubel  Herrera (306 – 3- 35) at 2B, 2011 BA Rangers #2 minor league prospect and SALLY MVP  Jurickson Profar (283-11-63) at SS, underrated Cristian Villenueva  (277-17-81) 3B, and Kellin Deglan (221-6-39) catching.

The Crawdads outfielders are speedy Josh Richmond (248-11-48) in RF and Jake Skole (265-7-58) in CF.

The Crawdads Big Four Rotation on the mound are right hander Nick Tepesch (7-4 W-L, 3.55), Roman Mendez (9-1, 3.26), Cody Buckel (8-3, 2.65) and Rangers #1 2011 Draft pick out of Clemson, Will Lamb (1-0, 0.66).

I saw Hickory in mid-August at Hagerstown, where they swept a three game series away from home.

I shot posed and action shots of the players listed below, which you can access and view at this link.

Hickory Crawdads 2011

Texas Rangers – Low A SALLY

List of Available Players Photos

Alejandro Selen 1B

Bill Richardson mgr

Cody Buckel RHP

Cristian Villenueva 3B

Jake Skole CF

Josh Richmond RF

Jurickson Profar SS

Kellin Deglan C

Nick Tepesch RHP

Odubel Herrera 2B

Roman Mendez RHP

Will Lamb RHP

The Sea Monsters Are NY/Penn Stedler Division Leaders

By Rodger M. Wood

Led by shortstop Chih Fang Pan and right hander Seth Frankoff and Brent Powers, Oakland’s Rookie A NY Penn League Vermont Sea Monsters are a game and a half ahead of the Connecticut Tigers in the Stedler Division pennant race.

Pan is hitting 343, good for a league third highest batting average, Frankoff is 3-3 W-L, 3.19 ERA, and Powers 3-2, 4.15.

Also on the team are Baseball America’s 2011 #7 Oakland minor league prospect OF Aaron Shipman and BA #18 3B Chad Lewis.

I saw Vermont on Friday, July 15^th at Aberdeen’s beautiful Ripken Stadium.

You can view the Vermont photo folder at this link.

Vermont Sea Monsters 2011

Oakland Athletics  -  Rookie NY Penn League

List of Available Players Photos

Aaron Shipman OF

Brent Powers rhp

Chad Lewis 1B

Chih Fang Pan ss

Clime Neurdy OF

Diomedes Lopez C

Jacob Tanis 3B

John Wasdin pc

Jordan Tripp OF

Michael Fabisch 2B

Nick Magrante mgr

Sean Jamieson ss

Seth Frankoff rhp

Xavier Macklin OF