Now Batting…(INSERT MUSIC HERE)…The Science of The Walkout Song

August 18, 2011 Leave a comment

Sports have many different way for guys to showcase their individuality, be it from various uniform adornments (Craig Biggio’s pine tar helmet), mannerisms (see Nomar Garciaparra), approaches to the game (Jeff Bagwelll’s stance and Tim Lincecum’s delivery) to pregame rituals (a la LeBron James) and entrances (like Heath Bell sliding in from the bullpen at the all-star game.

Pro Wrestlers are the most notable "athletes" with walk-out music

There’s one of these things that is special to baseball – the walk-out music.  In football they don’t play a special song when the kicker takes the field.  There’s no ceremony when Mike Miller checks in off the bench for the Heat.  Goalies don’t get their own song when the skate on the ice with their teammates at a hockey game.  Pro wrestlers…well, yeah they get entrance music but, that’s not really a sport.  Boxing, yes they get entrance music, but that doesn’t count…because I said so.

The walkout is fairly unique to baseball.  Everybody knew in the late ‘90’s that when they heard Hell’s Bells Trevor Hoffman was coming in for the Padres.  Enter Sandman means Mariano Rivera or Billy Wagner.  When you go to the Trop and the place shakes with the sounds of Tantric’s ‘Down and Out,’ you know Evan Longoria is coming up to hit.  Atlanta Braves fans know ‘Crazy Train’ means Chipper Jones is on his way up.

There’s no real science to the perfect walkout song.  Some guys like something that pumps them up.  Take Evan Chambers and “All Eyes on Me” by Tupac.

“The secret behind a good walkout is to pump yourself up and get your confidence up,” Chambers said.  “So just having all eyes on me and telling everybody to keep the attention on me does the trick.”

Kelson Brown uses ‘Map of the Problomatique‘ by Muse for the same reason.  But there is a fine line when it comes to getting pumped up.  You don’t want to get too pumped up.

“Really for me it gets me pumped up but not too crazy where I can’t throw strikes,” Brandon Cumpton said.  “Just something I like to listen to when I work out or when I run.”

Cumpton uses ‘Rock it Like a Hurricane’ and Breaking Benjamin’s ‘Follow Me.’ 

White Sox players Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham walk out to "Your Love" by the Outfield

There are, however, different ways to pump yourself up.  Chambers uses a slower song.  Cumpton uses a faster one.  All depends on what floats your boat.  Some guys like softer tunes to get their juices flowing.  Chicago White Sox players Gordon Beckham and Tyler Flowers have both used ‘80’s love ballad ‘Your Love’ by The Outfield as a walkout.  Big fan.  I was less of a fan when Charlotte’s Stephen Vogt walked out to ‘Dynomite’ by Taio Cruz last season.  But it worked for him, relaxing him and making him laugh on the way to the dish (or so I’ve been told).

Sometimes walkouts are more of a joke.  For the visiting team at McKechnie Field they get walkouts selected for them by various boy bands.  It’s like the anti-pump up with N*SYNC’s ‘Bye-Bye-Bye.’  Kind of like the pink lockerroom theory at the University of Iowa.  The only catch is that I kind of like boy bands.  If somebody played ‘Bye-Bye-Bye’ for me I’d probably get pumped.

As to whether or not that strategy works….

“Maybe,” Chambers said.  “I don’t know.  We haven’t played anybody that does that [to us].”

Sometimes teams even play goofy songs for their own players.  In Brevard County Chuck Caufield didn’t have a walkout, so the audio team played the hook to ‘Jack Sparrow’ [WARNING: Link contains explicit lyrics] by comedic group The Lonley Island.  The lyrics go:

                “This is the tale of Captain Jack Sparrow; pirate so brave on the seven seas.  A mystical quest,

                from the Isle of Tortuga.  Raven locks sway on the ocean’s breeze.”

Caufield handed in a walkup song for himself the next day.

Michael Bolton and the Lonely Island wrote "Jack Sparrow," played often at Viera's Space Coast Stadium

So basically any song will do – as long as it gets you pumped in some way.  Now, how do you select the right song?  Jason Erickson has used the Stone Temple Pilots since college.

“I like how the intro comes in,” Erickson, a relief pitcher said.  “It comes in with some vocals and hits hard with a little guitar and I just like the way it sounds.”

“You already have some ideas of what songs could be good intros,” Brown said.  “Your rotate it every year, I guess.”

Or you can always take other people’s word for it.  As per Brandon Cumpton, who said people often suggest songs to each other, find ideas listening to another’s iPod, or just stumble across a good choice.  Some people even take suggestions from their folks and above.

“It’s very important because my mom told me to use it and anything that my mom tells me to do is not going to be for bad,” said catcher Carlos Paulio, who uses a Christian song.  “It just makes me feel like I can trust myself.  Every time I’m in the box I know God’s arms are around me and I’m going to do a good job.”

And finally there are those that don’t even have a song.  One just gets picked for them.  Like Robbie Grossman, who steps up to the plate to ‘My Life Be Like’ by The Grits.

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” Grossman said.  “I’m not really worried about that.  I’m just trying to clear my mind and get ready to battle.”

So….when we told Grossman what his song was called…

“I didn’t even know who it was before you just said it.  I think it’s a pretty decent song and it’s worked well for me.”

So really…there’s zero science to any of it.  The answer is: Whatever Works.

By the way…my walkout would be techno song ‘Barbara Streisand’ by Duck Sauce.  Either that or the intro to Creed’s ‘Higher’ or Linkin Park’s ‘Somewhere I Belong,’ but a friend of mine’s already used that one, so I’d probably leave it be (but it’s still the commercial bump-back on our broadcasts).  ‘Hate on Me’ by Jill Scott might be a good choice too.

Your turn…what would your walkout song be?

Anyway.  Till next time.

-Joel

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Because I’m Robbie Grossman and I’m Awesome

July 30, 2011 1 Comment

For all you wrestling fans out there, I thought I’d start this blog with my friend the Miz.  I think his catchpharse applys nicely to today’s topic:

Robbie Grossman is on pace for something historic this season.  No Minor League player has scored 100 runs and walked 100 times in the same season since 2004 when Nick Swisher did it for Triple-A Sacramento.  That’s six seasons without a player breaking both century marks.  Grossman will end the drought in 2011.

With 98 runs and 93 walks coming in to tonight’s game at Brevard County, Grossman could not only get to 100 runs, he could do it by the end of the month with two July games remaining.  The 98 runs he has already also happen to be a Pittsburgh Pirates Class A-Advanced record, tying Pat Magness’s stats from the 2005 season when the Pirates were affiliated with the Lynchburg Hillcats. 

Pat Magness

Pat Magness scored 98 times for the Lynchburg Hillcats in 2005

Let’s dig a little deeper for a moment.  Over the last six seasons several players have come very close to breaking the 100/100 plateau.  Connor Crumbliss (great name by the way) walked 126 times and scored 95 times for the Low-A Burlington Bees last season.  Seattle Mariners DH Jack Cust walked 143 times and scored 97 times in 2006 while at Triple-A Portland.  Cust neared the feat in 2005 as well as Magness, who finished with 141 walks and 98 runs.  Sure it’s impressive, but they all came down to the wire before falling short.  Grossman has more than five weeks left in the season to score two runs and walk seven times.  Sure, I guess it’s conceivable Grossman could draw one walk a week until the season ends and finish with 99, but considering he’s walked five times in the last three games, that’s doubtful.  Grossman is going to blow the lid off the accomplishment.

Only two Major League players hit the 100/100 mark last year.  They’re named Albert Pujols and Jose Bautista.  I hear they’ve both had marginal success.

Grossman has played 104 of the 106 games his team’s played this year.  Assuming he doesn’t miss another game he’ll walk 121 times and score 127 times.  By the way, he also leads the Florida State League in on base percentage.  Somehow he didn’t make the all-star team.

“He comes ready to play every day,” said Marauders hitting coach Ryan Long.  “Good attitude and ready to get after it every day.”

“I’ve always just gone out there and played the game,” said Grossman.  “I love the game of baseball.  Just go out there and have fun with it.”

What makes Grossman’s accomplishments really cool too is that he’s not just doing this on a whim.  Scoring 100 runs (I don’t know about the walks) has been his goal all season.  With five weeks left in the year he’s on the verge of hitting his mark.

“A lot comes along with that,” Long said.  “It helps with your approach.  You’ve got to get on base. You’ve gotta handle each at bat for what it is.”

And that’s exactly what Grossman has done, reaching base in what seems like every game this season.  His 37 straight game streak of safely reaching base earlier this season is still tops in the Florida State League.  He’s again running a high total reaching in 26 straight.

“You’ve got to get on base to score runs.  You’ve got to hit or walk or do something positive to get on base.  You’ve got to score runs to win baseball games.  Hitting leadoff that’s one of my main objectives to get on base and score runs.”

Robbie Grossman

Robbie Grossman is having an historic 2011 season

Grossman was a sixth round pick of the Pirates back in 2008, given more than a million in signing bonus money to forgoe a commitment to the University of Texas.  Since then he has run into some setbacks in his short career.  After striking out more than 160 times during his first full season he batted only .245 last year with the Marauders and a lot of outside sources began to doubt his eventual value to the big club.  Baseball America dropped him from a Top 10 prospect two years ago to prospect No. 25 in the organization in its rankings this year.  But then you stop for a second and realize that had he gone to college he’d have just been drafted and embarking on his pro career this season.  He’s 21 and killing the Florida State League.  If he keeps it up he could easily be in the Majors by 23.  Something tells me he’ll be back in the Top 10 in the magazine’s 2012 Prospect Handbook publication.

And as far as Marauders manager Carlos Garcia is concerned, Grossman sort of reminds him of one of his old Pirates teammates.  When he was drafted, many sources drew the Robbie Grossman-Lenny Dykstra comparison.  Garcia pointed to Andy Van Slyke.

I can see it now…”Where Have You Gone Robbie Grossman?”…A Pittsburgh Pirates fan blog.

P.S.  How lucky are Marauders fans in two seasons.  Last year they get Quincy Latimore becoming just the ninth Pirates farmhand to drive in 100 runs.  This year they get Grossman turning in one of the greatest minor league baseball seasons over the last several years.  Don’t you love hyperbole when it’s true.

Till next time

-Joel

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Spring is Here (And so’s my prospect handbook!)

February 16, 2011 Leave a comment

With pitchers and catchers reporting, not only does this week mark the official beginning of Spring Training, but it also marks my first Spring Training in baseball.  And to be honest, this is pretty cool.

Alrigh, alright, you’ve caught me in a lie.  I did take in a few Spring Training games on a family vacation a few years back.  I went to a Cardinals vs. Mets game and Orioles vs. Twins game.  I still have the autographed Yadier Molina (in red Sharpie, it’s kinda sweet) and Mike Piazza baseball cards.  The Piazza one comes complete with my dad’s thumbprint over the P.  I also got a Lou Brock autographed baseball, Justin Morneau signed card and Andres Galarraga signed ticket stub.  I also got waved at by Sammy Sosa.  He might have told me that “Baseball has been very, very good to me” but I don’t remember.  It was a pretty good haul that spring.

I did also go to a Yankees-Nationals game last March and got into the Houston Astros complex disguised (by credential) as somebody else.  So much for this being my first Spring Training, but we can still count it.

So being that this is my “first” spring, I have learned quite a few things.

1.       Pitchers and catchers report doesn’t mean all pitchers and catchers.  It’s only the big league guys.  Now maybe I look like an idiot for not knowing that, but I didn’t know that.

2.       If you want autographs games aren’t the way to go, workouts are.  You get much more up close and personal to the players and there are FAR fewer fans there so it’s easier to nab that signature.

3.       This isn’t so much something I’ve learned, but just my favorite part.  Being in the minors you don’t get to watch pitcher’s BP that much, but so far I’ve witnessed the session twice in three days.  I’m always a fan of pitchers taking batting practice.  It’s the greatest gym class hero moment in sports – all the pitchers trying to show that they can hit with the position players…one sometimes hits a homer (I didn’t see any so far) and then gets bragging rights forever.  Pitcher’s BP is a great reason to come by workouts.  Let the trash talk ensue.

On an aesthetic note, I happen to be a big fan of the Pirates new BP tops.  The look’s been sported at Spring Training and has had some joking that you don’t need the lights on in the clubhouse to see them.  I’m sure somebody has also made the obligatory “Hey! Turn your shirt down.  It’s a little loud,” remark.  I happen to think they’re pretty awesome.  I’m always a big fan of cool and different looks and thusly am usually a fan of whatever the University of Oregon decides to wear.  I was also a fan of this, which unfortunately didn’t last at my alma mater.


 
Morris.jpgNext topic change.  I was psyched this week to discover that my Baseball America Prospect Handbook had come in the mail.  Turns out the 2010 Marauders are well represented in the system.  We put out a release several weeks ago when the club’s top 10 prospect list was announced and included several Bradenton players.  Here’s the rundown.

2. Tony Sanchez

“He has the potential to become Pittsburgh’s first Gold Glove catcher since Mike LaValliere in 1987.”       

 4.       Starling Marte

“He could push Andrew McCutchen to an outfield corner when he arrives in Pittsburgh in a couple of years.

6.       Bryan Morris

“He rebounded in a big way last year, pitching in the Futures Game and helping Altoona win the Eastern League championship.”

8.    Jeff Locke

“Locke looks like he might be the best of the three players acquired in the 2009 Nate Mclouth trade with the Braves.”

12. Diego Moreno

“He uses a wipeout slider at 87-88 mph to keep hitters from sitting on the fastball.”

17. Nate Baker

“[His slider and changeup] both have come a long way in a short period, abd that has Pirates officials encouraged.”

19. Ramon Aguero

“The stuff is too good to ignore…”

21. Quincy Latimore

“Latimore has been a favorite of some in the Pirates front office since his draft year, partly because of a fiery competitiveness but mostly because of what they see as legitimate power.”

25. Robbie Grossman

“He was raw power, including gap to gap, from both sides of the plate.”

28. Aaron Pribanic

“Pribanic’s sinker was too good to stifle, though, and he was allowed to strut it.”

31. Phillip Irwin

“Irwin is more consistent then flashy, but he gets results.”

There is also an organizational depth chart listed in the guide.  Outside the players ranked among the 31 the guide lists, Jeremy Fall is at the top of the third base crop with Brock Holt fourth at shortstop behind Chase d’Arnaud, Jordy Mercer and Pedro Ciriaco.  Shelby Ford is listed amongst the second basemen and Calvin Anderson is fourth at 1B.  Eric Fryer checks in second behind Sanchez a catcher.  Pitcher listed include Tim Alderson, Hunter Strickland, Kyle McPherson, Tom Boleska, Brian Leach, Casey Erickson and Tyler Cox.

Of course you do have to take all of that with a grain of salt – it’s not an official listing or how guys really sit in an organization.  It’s just how Baseball America sees it.   For example I just opened my 2008 guide and flipped to a random page.  The Chicago White Sox list contained only 10 guys from the year before, with none of the 20 that were gone having made the bigs, they had all just dropped off the list (were no longer ‘prospects’), or were with new organizations.   None of this really gives us a definitive look at anything, but it’s still fun to read about it.

That’s all for today.  Until next time –

Joel

 

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Marauder Mad Libs

July 27, 2010 Leave a comment

Ladies and Gentlemen…Welcome to the first edition of MARAUDER MAD LIBS!  It’s the game where Bradenton’s baseball stars fill in the blanks with the bests of the Florida State League.  Here’s your host…Arthur Wedgewood!!! {Applause}

{Cue theme music…open curtain}

“Thank you….thank you…thank you…stop it…cut it out…you’re all too kind….Welcome again to Marauder Mad Libs.  Let’s meet the contestants…

First…He’s an outfielder from Oklahoma, please welcome Austin McClune!!! {Applause}

Second…He’s a pitcher from Kentucky…Nathan Adcock!!! {Applause}

Please welcome two catchers Eric Fryer and James Skelton!!! {Applause}

And finally a hand for a dynamic duo of outfielders…Robbie Grossman and the ‘Double-Duce’ Quincy Latimore!!! {Applause}

So here’s how the game works…I’ll throw out a topic…you fill in the blank…First on the board {sound effect}…Ah…The best thing about the FSL is _____.

Austin: “Travel, for sure.  The furthest trip is roughly three hours.  In the Sally league we had 10 hour bus rides from Hickory to Lake County.”

Nathan: “Heat.  No I hate the heat.  It’s the travel.  Three hours is the most we travel.  I played in the Midwest League were some trips were seven or 11 hours.”

Eric: “The ballparks.  Most ballparks are pretty good.  The fields are immaculate and most of the time they’re just spring training sites for teams.”

James: “I like the rain, so I would say rainouts.  I wouldn’t call it an extra day off, but sometimes you just need one night off.”

Quincy: “HOT.  No the travel.  I love the three hour max I think.”

Now Quincy, follow up question.  How is it traveling for the commuter games?

Quincy: “That’s fine.  An hour at the most, that’s not bad.  I would love to stay everywhere if we could, but definitely the travel is great coming from the South Atlantic League last year having a nine hour bus ride.  It would seem like you never get there.”

Okay…second topic…{sound effect}…The best name in the FSL is _____.

Austin: “Stonecrabs.  “It’s a little bit different.  A little more original.”

Nathan: “Marauders.  I like it because it’s something new.  It’s something different.”

Eric: “Threshers.  It’s the first name that came to mind.  It’s the most creative right there.”


images.jpg{Sound effect} Oh wow…that sound means it’s time for the “FACT OF THE ROUND” {echoing voice}.  Often mistaken for the Thrashers, the name is indeed Threshers.  The team was renamed and rebranded from the Clearwater Phillies upon the opening of the new Bright House Field in 2004.  Mike Schmidt was the team’s first manager.  A Thresher is a type of shark with a long tail that is sometimes as long as the rest of its body.  The tail is used as a stunning weapon to attack prey.  Quincy, you’re up…

Quincy: “Flying Tigers.  I think that’s pretty funny…or the Brevard County Manatees.  Either one of those.

Robbie: “Lakeland Flying Tigers.  They’ve got pretty sweet hats.”

Alright team…Question number three.  Many of you talked about the travel in the league.  The topic is twofold…The Best Roadtrip in the FSL is _____ or The Best Ballpark in the FSL is_____.

Robbie: “Tampa — playing where the Yankees big league team plays.”

Quincy: “Clearwater.  Great crowd, great field, one of the newest stadiums in the league – that’s why.” 

{Production Note} Quincy also likes Daytona Beach…Altoona Curve player Josh Harrison (a former Cub) highly recommended the atmosphere.

Eric: “McKechnie Field.  The home crowd’s amazing.”


McKechnie.jpgJames: “Daytona Beach.  The hotel is on the beach.  I like to even out my sun tans.  I’ve told a few guys [about the trip – James played in the FSL in 2008].  They’ve got this putt-putt area down the street.  They draw good crowds.  It’s got to be top three in the league.

Nathan: “Palm Beach or Jupiter is the nicest park.  I like that park a lot.  It’s real nice.  It’s well kept, has a nice playing surface.  Not a lot of fans but it’s still a nice place to play.”

Austin: “Clearwater.  We swept them and it’s a sweet place to play.  There are a lot of fans.”

Alright guys…we’re almost home.  Question for the catchers and the base stealers…The hardest guy to run on is_____.  The second part is…The hardest guy to throw out is_____.”

James: “Melky Mesa (Tampa_.  He just seems like he gets good jumps.”

{Production note} Melky Mesa has one of only six stolen bases against James this year.

Eric: “Anthony Gose (Clearwater).  He steals a lot so he gets a lot of stolen bases.  He gets good jumps and he goes every time.”

Robbie: “A lot of relievers because they’re all quick to the plate.”

Qunicy: “Frank Gailey (Dunedin).  He was…man.  We were talking about at the plate you can’t even get ready to hit he was so quick to the plate.” 

Alright boys we’ve reached the FINAL ROUND {echoing voice}.  The winner gets 3,000 points.  Actually the points matter less than on “Who’s Line is it Anyway.”  So to the winner goes 4,432 points.  Mad Lib is…{drum roll}…The best pitcher or batter you’ve seen in the FSL is _____.

Austin: “Zach Quate (Charlotte).  He’s got a nasty slider.  It starts off at you.  He’s got a fastball at 90+ MPH it just keeps you honest.

Melky Mesa.  He hits the ball to all fields and he hits for power.”

Nathan: “The Corban Joseph (Tampa) kid was a pretty tough out.  He’s just real scrappy.  He fouls a lot of pitches and makes you throw a lot of pitches which I don’t like.

Chris Archer (Daytona).  I thought he was pretty impressive.  Him and the Moore kid from Port Charlotte, especially with how young he is (20) and how he’s doing in the league.”

James: “Jonathon Ortiz (Tampa).  He’s got a nasty changeup.”

Quincy: “Henderson Alvarez (Dunedin).  I faced him in the All-Star Game.  Out of the pitchers I faced he came at me with three pitches.  He threw me his changeup for a strike his slider for a strike and he threw about a 95 MPH fastball up that I chased and I was like ‘wow this dude’s pretty decent.'”

Robbie: “Matt Moore (Charlotte).  He’s a good lefty.  You don’t see too many of those guys that throw hard and throw more than one pitch for a strike.”


Moore.jpgStefan Welch (St. Lucie).  He always has a good approach.  He didn’t try to do too much.  He just did with what he was pitched with.”

—

Alright everybody!  That concludes today’s game.  Thanks for playing…We’ll see you next time right here on Marauder Mad Libs! {Appluase} {Roll credits}

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Summer Hit Mix

June 29, 2010 Leave a comment

Robbie-Grossman-action.jpgSo…..How about 33 hits?  Bradenton and Fort Myers combined for a combined 33 hits on Monday night.  The Marauders “pulled out” a 14-4 win in the sluggfest.  Stats of the day…

  • Robbie Grossman fell a homerun short of the cycle.  He was 4-6 with a season high four RBI
  • Erik Huber had his first four hit game of the season
  • Jose de los Santos had his first multi-RBI game of the year (at Altoona or Bradenton).  He knocked in three.
  • Austin McClune, Huber and Greg Picart all scored three runs
  • The 21 hits are five better than the previous franchise record
  • The 7 extra-base hits, five doubles and two triples are all tied for most in team history (which sounds really cool, but remember “team history” is this year).
  • Of the 33 hits in the game, it took until No. 31 for a homer.  Drew Thompson hit his second of the year off Marauders reliever Matt McSwain.
  • In a sick turn, had he finished the ninth McSwain would have earned a four-inning save.  A save…yes a save…in a 10-run game.  Tyler Cox came in to get the final two outs.

So let’s put this all in perspective.  If you’re sitting at home going, “WOW, 21 hits!  That’s so many!”  It’s actually not.  Fancy that.  In fact, it’s not even a blip on the radar.  Actually…it’s about damn time.

With 21 hits on Monday the Marauders became the first team in the Florida State League to drop a double-sawbuck in the hits column.  The FSL is the last full-season league to have a team rack up 20 hits.  The California League (known for having 758,967,324 Coors Field clones as ballparks – ask Nathan Adcock, he’ll tell you) has four teams with more than 21 hits in a game.  Actually, only three teams in the league haven’t gotten 20 hits in a game this year.  San Jose (Giants) leads all of baseball with 26 hits against Visalia back in May.

All the teams with 21 or more hits in a game (in 100% no actual order)…

Inland Empire (A+) 23

Lancaster (A+) 22

Modesto (A+) 22

San Jose (A+) 26

Winston-Salem (A+) 21

Trenton (AA) 21

NW Arkansas (AA) 22

Midland (AA) 21

Chattanooga (AA) 22

Mississippi (AA) 21

Buffalo (AAA) 22

Louisville (AAA) 24

Las Vegas (AAA) 23

Memphis (AAA) 23

Omaha (AAA) 23

Burlington (A) 22

Hagerstown (A) 23

Charleston (A) 22

Milwaukee (MAJ) 25

Notice that no American League team has eclipsed 21 hits in a game.  Boston, Kansas City, Minnesota and Texas all have recorded 20-spots.  The MLB lead is Milwaukee’s 25 hits on April 22.  In a dubious turn that was in a 20-0 route of the Pirates. 

On a good note, the MLB record for individual hits in a game is seven.  It’s been done twice.  Once was in 1975 by Rennie Stennett – a Pirate.

Till next time…

-Joel

(Photo Courtesy of the Post-Gazette)
 

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Off We Go…

June 26, 2010 Leave a comment

Entry No. 1 here, so we’ve got a couple of things to figure out…first off is the name…

I was thinking of what to call this blog and I figured I go with something “broadcastery” and along the baseball lines.  I went with an ESPN catchphrase — one Keith Olbermann made famous — “It’s Deep and I Don’t Think It’s Playable.”  The title, however, is always up for a little change.  If you’ve got an idea on what to go with — shoot it to Jgodett@Pirates.com.   We’ll take a look at what flows in and go from there.

Next thing up is what we’re going to do here.  Well, a couple of things.  First off — neat stories always tend to pop up while broadcasting for a baseball team.  Sometimes those stories make it on the radio and sometimes they don’t.  Sometimes those stories make it on the radio and you weren’t listening.  So we’ll talk about a lot here.  Anything ranging from Eric Fryer’s time at Ohio State to Quincy Latimore’s +200 bowling average and Brian Leach’s new slider.

So, where to start?  With the second half of the season now in full swing we can begin by taking a look back of the first half of the first season in Marauder’s history…

First Half Highlights

No. 1 – Opening Night

With the April 8th opener anticipated since the fall revealing of the Marauders, Bradenton wasted no time making its mark.  The Marauders drubbed division foe Fort Myers 18-3 to welcome the season in front of 2,396 fans.  The offense exploded for 16 hits and four home runs, both of which are still team records for a single game performance.  The 18 runs are also far and away the most scored this year, besting the 13 Bradenton plated at St. Lucie June 15th.  The debut win was the first of five to begin team history.

No. 2 – Hey Now, You’re an All-Star

The opening night display was no fluke for Bradenton.  The Marauders continued to be one of the best offensive teams in the minor leagues throughout the first half.  When that happens you’re bound to earn some all-star recognition, and Bradenton placed a Florida State League best eight men in the midsummer classic.  Tony Sanchez, Brock Holt, Quincy Latimore, Jeremy Farrell, Jeff Locke, Noah Krol, Nathan Adcock and Bryan Morris all earned midseason honors.  Only Latimore, Locke and Krol appeared in the game, but all made an impact.  Latimore batted leadoff and scored twice.  Locke and Krol each threw a shutout inning.

They said it:  “It’s a huge honor to get selected to play with the best players in this league.  Being in State College last year and getting to be a part of that all-star game my first professional season was huge, and being able to continue that with my success here after skipping West Virginia was huge.” – Brock Holt 

No. 3 – Bryan Morris

His time was short-lived in Bradenton but it was nothing short of fantastic.  In 44.2 innings Morris allowed three earned runs, struck out 40 and walked just seven.  Thusly, he’s number three on our list.

No. 4 – Break Out the Rye Bread and Mustard…

Quincy Latimore established a reputation early in his Marauders career – he drives in runs…sometimes four at a time.  Latimore hit three grand slams in just 37 games and tied an FSL record for most in a season.  The final of Latimore’s three slams was a game sealer at Dunedin May 18th.  It came in the 10th inning of a 2-1 game.  Bradenton knocked off what was then the league’s top dog 6-1 that day.  Latimore’s 55 RBI led the league in the first half and were 4th in all of Class A-Advanced.  Q is led by three batters in the California League – the most hitter friendly of the High-A groups.

They said it:  “I hit my first professional grand slam this year so it’s kind of funny I hit three already.  It’s quite a coincidence.  It really is.” – Quincy Latimore

No. 5 – Brock Holt is Perfect

Brock Holt made June 2nd an historic night against Lakeland when he went 5-5.  The Marauders shortstop was the sixth man to post a five-hit game this season across the FSL.  Most importantly Holt had two RBI and two runs scored in an 8-7 Bradenton win.

Notes Looking Forward

 

No. 1 – Returning to Full Strength

 

As the second half of the season begins the Marauders are without four of their top five offensive threats.  Tony Sanchez, Brock Holt, Jeremy Farrell and Starling Marte all find themselves sidelined with injuries.  Sanchez is out for an extended period after breaking his jaw Tuesday.  Holt is out for the year after suffering a knee injury against Brevard County June 6th.  Farrell is on the DL with a leg injury while Marte recovers from hand surgery.  Coming into the season Baseball America thought highly of all four men, ranking Sanchez 3rd, Marte 6th and Holt 27th among prospects in the Pittsburgh organization.  Farrell has had a breakout season and leads the Marauders with nine homeruns.  The foursome has driven in 111 of the team’s 314 RBI.  Also on the disabled list are Rodolfo Cardona and Hunter Strickland.

They said it:  “We’re struggling right now with the loss of Farrell and Brock – two of the best hitters in the league – and we’re having other guys step up and help the team win.  That’s the making of a great team.” – Tony Sanchez

No. 2 – Who Steps Up?

With all of Bradenton’s injuries, the question is now who will step up to fill the voids?  Quincy Latimore and Calvin Anderson are the easy answers, having been consistent producers throughout the first half.  Greg Picart is another name to keep tabs on.  The veteran has hit over .300 since taking over for Holt in the leadoff spot.

Robbie Grossman is one guy who may take on a heavier burden in the second half.  Grossman entered the year as the 18th ranked prospect in the Pirates system but has hovered around .200 the first three months of the year.  Grossman has a world of potential as a hitter for average and a bit of power and possesses great speed.  The outfielder was the first freshman to start at Texas’ Cy-Fair High School in 36 years under head coach Woody Champagne.

They said it:  “[I’m] just learning every year, learning something new, adjusting your game.  Watching the game you always learn something new.  [I’m] just doing the best I can every night.” – Robbie Grossman

Also keep an eye on outfielder Austin McClune and catcher Eric Fryer.  After struggling for much of June, McClune finished the first half with three critical hits, two RBI and two steals in his last four games.  The first of those hits was a walk-off single against St. Lucie Monday.

With Sanchez out, Fryer stands to gain the most at the catching position.  Bradenton’s primary backup, Fryer has DH’d for much of the season while slamming seven homeruns.

No. 3 – A Second Half Title?

Bradenton held a firm grasp on first place in the FSL South for much of May and early June before succumbing to a blazing hot Charlotte team.  The Stone Crabs finished the first half by winning 18 of their final 20 games.  Even so, the Marauders still had the second best besting average in the FSL and a pitching staff that excelled into the midseason break.  Nathan Adcock is listed among the league’s top 10 ERA’s, Jeff Locke has not walked a batter in three outings, Brian Leach has a 1.50 ERA in June and Noah Krol continues to be one of the best closers across the state.

They said it:  “I think right now I’m there.  If I can stay there for a little longer I can put together a pretty good season.” – Jeff Locke

They said it:  “[Leach]’s keeping the ball in the strike zone and he’s giving himself a chance.  We gave him a slider instead of a curveball and it gives him something else other than a fastball that he can throw for strikes.  He’s turned that around somewhat and we’ve just got to hope he continues to grow.” – Wally Whitehurst

They said it:  “We’re having fun and we’re starting to click more as a team…We could easily have 50 wins in this half and be a lock for the playoffs, but that’s just something we have to learn.  We’re a young group and we’re still learning how to play the game the right way.  We haven’t played nearly as good of baseball as we could have.” – Tony Sanchez

 

Till Next time…

Joel

 

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