Results tagged ‘ Los Angeles Dodgers ’
30 Days…
Camelback Ranch is almost open for business (Photo via TCPalm.com).
The Dash’s home opener countdown, which is available on Twitter and Instagram, has reached 78 days. If you want a smaller number for your baseball waiting game, try 30.
The White Sox first spring training game is in 30 days. Robin Ventura’s crew will suit up for the first time Saturday, February 23, at 3:05 p.m. EST against the Dodgers, their stadium-mates at Camelback Ranch.
As Winston-Salem prepares for another winter storm tomorrow, it is nice to know that baseball is within grasp, even if the first true taste will be more than 2,000 miles away from the Triad.
Here are a few more notes to appease your baseball craving:
- BB&T Ballpark is the home of Winston-Salem State University baseball in 2013, so the first game at the stadium this season will be February 8. The Rams will play all 26 home games at BB&T Ballpark.
- Winston-Salem will not have a chance to watch a former five-star football recruit play for the Dash in 2013. Mitch Mustain, who played college football for Arkansas and USC before trying out pitching, was released by the White Sox, that according to Baseball America. Mustain climbed as high as Low-A Kannapolis after Chicago inked him to a deal last February. Between his time with the Intimidators and rookie-level Bristol, the righty was 2-2 with a 4.63 earned run average in 19 relief appearances.
- We all saw speedster Billy Hamilton in last year’s All-Star Game at BB&T Ballpark. Hamilton, who set the single-season stolen base record in minor league baseball, will start 2013 with Triple-A Louisville. If he is still in the International League, Hamilton will be in Charlotte to take on the White Sox Triple-A affiliate May 14-17.
- The Braves traded for Arizona outfielder Justin Upton earlier today, and the Diamondbacks received 2012 Lynchburg shortstop Nick Ahmed. A midseason All-Star, Ahmed paced the Carolina League with 40 stolen bases.
- Finally, some CL flavor is officially reaching the NBA. New Orleans will unveil its new Pelicans nickname, along with the logo and color scheme, at a press conference later today. How will Myrtle Beach respond?
The home opener is getting closer and closer! Can’t wait for baseball.
- Brian
All-Star Countdown: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The All-Star Game is exactly four weeks away. We are pumped for the Midsummer Classic to come to Winston-Salem. Let’s continue our countdown with the Dodgers’ High-A affiliate, a club that may have the best full name in all of minor league baseball. Here are a few candidates from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
1B Austin Gallagher – In an offensive league, players at premium offensive positions need to post tremendous numbers in order to garner All-Star Game consideration. While Gallagher’s .263 batting average is nothing to brag about, he is tied for third in the league with nine home runs and tied for fifth with 33 RBI. Gallagher will need to get his average up a bit in order to lock down a spot on the California League’s squad, but he is in the best position of any current Quakes member.
RHP Garrett Gould – I’ll be honest. The Quakes do not have many players near the top of statistical categories in the California League. Gould has struggled this season, but he is the top-ranked Dodgers farmhand on Rancho’s roster (sixth overall in LA’s system according to Baseball America). Gould’s earned run average is 4.80, but he is tied for fourth in strikeouts in the league with 50.
RHP Scott McGough – McGough is a stretch for All-Star consideration right now, but he has notched three saves this month after the promotion of closer Logan Bawcom (who would’ve made the cross country trip had he remained with the Quakes) to Double-A Chattanooga. He is currently 2-2 with an ERA of 3.00, which isn’t an eye-popping mark for a reliever. Still, McGough has a chance to make a run because of his current role with the Quakes.
Here on the blog tomorrow, Mike will look at the San Jose Giants’ roster for potential All-Stars. Talk to you then.
- Brian
160 Days
Let’s rewind to September 28, 2011. It was 160 days ago, and the White Sox’s 2011 season came to an end with a 3-2 loss at home against the Blue Jays.
Since then, the White Sox lost their most recognizable face–manager Ozzie Guillen–to the Miami Marlins. Arguably their most consistent player in the last decade–left-handed starter Mark Buehrle–followed Guillen to South Beach.
This afternoon at 3:05 ET, the Sox begin a new era under first-time skipper Robin Ventura. 160 days after the 2011 season ended, the White Sox are back on the field against their Camelback Ranch buddies, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The White Sox have 59 players in Spring Training at this point, and 19 of them made a stop at some point in Winston-Salem. Here’s a list:
Chris Sale is one of the most notable Dash alums in White Sox camp this year.
PITCHERS:
- Dylan Axelrod (2009 and 2010)
- Anthony Carter (2008 and 2009)
- Gregory Infante (2009 and 2010)
- Nate Jones (2008, 2009, and 2010)
- Charles Leesman (2010)
- Brian Omogrosso (2007)*
- Jake Petricka (2011)*
- Addison Reed (2011)
- Chris Sale (2010)
- Hector Santiago (2009, 2010, and 2011)
CATCHERS:
- Mike Blanke (2011)*
- Josh Phegley (2010)*
INFIELDERS:
- Eduardo Escobar (2010)
- Jim Gallagher (2009)*
- Tyler Kuhn (2009)*
- Brent Morel (2009)
OUTFIELDERS:
- Jordan Danks (2009)*
- Jared Mitchell (2011)*
- Brandon Short (2010)*
* = non-roster invitee
So, what’s the take away from this? Only three of the 19 players on this list played in Winston-Salem as Warthogs. It means that the 40-man roster is largely made up of free agent signings or trade acquisitions.
For example, seven of the nine offensive players above are non-roster invitees. The White Sox’s 40-man roster is loaded with offensive pieces that were developed, to some extent, outside the organization.
However, this is an exciting time for the prospects in White Sox camp. With the change in scenery, this could be a new era, and any production from the organization’s youth will be a huge bonus. The Dash have provided a solid chunk of that youth in the Chicago’s system.
Over the next few days, we will take a look at these 19 players and what their expectations are during camp. Let us know in the comments which former Winston-Salem players you think will make the 25-man roster when the big league club heads to Arlington for Opening Day against the Rangers April 6. It’s 32 days away!
- Brian
