Tagged: Colorado Rockies
Field, Rosario & Wheeler Named TL All-Stars
TULSA TRIO VOTED TO ELITE TEXAS LEAGUE SQUAD
The Texas League has named it 2011 End of Season All-Star Team and the Tulsa Drillers are well represented. Outfielder Tim Wheeler, catcher Wilin Rosario and second baseman Tommy Field were all elected to the elite squad that is determined through voting by league managers and media members.
With three All-Stars, Tulsa matched Arkansas, San Antonio and Springfield for the most players on the 18-man team.
Wheeler currently leads the TL in home runs, a spot that he has occupied for much of the season. But, the outfielder has done more than hit homers this season. Entering the final week of the season, Wheeler is hitting .291 with 85 runs batted in. He was leading the league with 154 hits, 66 extra-base hits and 101 runs scored, while also stealing 19 bases and picking up 13 assists from his centerfield position.
Like Wheeler, Rosario and Field have enjoyed well-rounded seasons. Field is hitting .278 with 17 homers and 60 runs batted in. Defensively, he has made only eight errors and leads on TL second baseman with a .982 fielding percentage. Field has been involved in 71 doubles plays, nearly 20 more than any other second baseman in the league.
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| Catcher Wilin Rosario joined Tulsa teammates Tommy Field and Tim Wheeler on the 2011 Texas League End of Season All-Star Team. (Rich Crimi) |
Rosario entered the final week with a .250 batting average, 19 homers and 40 runs batted in. Behind the plate, he leads all TL catchers with a .992 fielding percentage. Rosario has thrown out 37% of attempted base stealers this season, the second highest mark in the league.
Springfield’s Matt Adams edged Wheeler for the Texas League Player of the Year Award, while Arkansas’ Matt Shoemaker, who could win the league’s pitching triple crown, was chosen as the Pitcher of the Year.
Former Oklahoma State University standout Doug Dascenzo was named the Manager of the Year for leading San Antonio to the best record in the league. The Missions will likely become the first Texas League team in 50 years to reach 90 total wins. Amarillo last accomplished the feat in 1961.
Corpus Christi’s hitting coach, John Moses, was named the recipient of the Mike Coolbaugh Coach of the Year Award. Coolbaugh is the former Drillers hitting coach that was tragically killed in a game against Arkansas during the 2007 season.
The complete Texas League End of Season All-Star Team is below.
2011 TEXAS LEAGUE END OF SEASON ALL-STAR TEAM
1B Matt Adams-Springfield
2B Tommy Field-Tulsa
3B James Darnell-San Antonio
SS Ryan Jackson-Springfield
UT Grant Green-Midland
OF J.D. Martinez-Corpus Christi
OF Jermaine Mitchell-Midland
OF Mike Trout-Arkansas
OF Tim Wheeler-Tulsa
DH Tommy Mendonca-Frisco
C Salvador Perez-NW Arkansas
C Wilin Rosario-Tulsa
P Brad Brach-San Antonio
P Dallas Keuchel-Corpus Christi
P Shelby Miller-Springfield
P Garrett Richards-Arkansas
P Matt Shoemaker-Arkansas
P Joe Wieland-San Antonio
Texas League Player of the Year – Matt Adams, Springfield
Texas League Pitcher of the Year – Matt Shoemaker, Arkansas
Texas League Manager of the Year – Doug Dascenzo, San Antonio
Mike Coolbaugh TL Coach of the Year – John Moses, Corpus Christi
Drillers, Tulsa To Host 2012 Texas League All-Star Game
The Texas League has officially announced that the Tulsa Drillers will host the 2012 U.S. Cellular Texas League All-Star Game at ONEOK Field. The game will feature the North Division All-Stars versus the South Division All-Stars and will be played on Thursday, June 28.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to host the Texas League’s marquee event next summer,” said General Manager Mike Melega. “We think downtown Tulsa and ONEOK Field will provide the perfect settings for this great game.”
Game To Be Played at ONEOK Field on Thursday, June 28 2012.
The official logo for the game features a Drillers “T” attached to an iconic oil derrick that recalls Tulsa’s days as the “Oil Capital of the World” and as a longtime member of the historic Texas League.
The very first TL All-Star Game was played in 1936, and Tulsa has hosted the event on five previous occasions. The city was the host site in 1962, 1981, 1982, 1990 and 1999.
Other activities are planned for the night of the game, including a pair of pre-game home run hitting contests. One will feature the TL’s top hitters, while another will highlight some of the area’s top high school sluggers.
The night will conclude with a post-game fireworks display.
Drillers Season Ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the game. Tickets to the general public will go on sale later this year and will range in price from $6 to $16.
A number of current and past major league stars have played in Texas League All-Star Games. This list includes: Alex Gordon, Troy Tulowitzki, Hunter Pence, Paul Konerko, Ubaldo Jimenez, Colby Rasmus and Johnny Damon, plus Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Joe Morgan, Willie McCovey and Dizzy Dean.
MiLB Empressed By Pomeranz’s Debut With Drillers
By: David Heck
Drew Pomeranz hadn’t pitched in almost a month, but he looked anything but rusty on Wednesday night.
MLB.com’s No. 31 prospect retired the first 19 batters he faced in a Drillers uniform en route to a seven-inning, two-hit performance. Double-A Tulsa went on to blank Midland, 6-0, to snap a six-game losing streak.
Pomeranz, who had not pitched since July 25, struck out four without issuing a walk in front of Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd.
“Things were just going great,” Pomeranz said. “It helps that I threw a good amount of strikes and was ahead of the hitters. It’s a lot easier to pitch that way — it helps to be in control of the game. If you’re behind, it’s a little tougher. The first six innings, I stayed in great counts. Apparently, where I threw the ball was the right spot tonight.”
The 22-year-old left-hander lost the perfect game with one out in the seventh, when Grant Green — the A’s No. 1 prospect– singled on a ground ball up the middle. The RockHounds’ only other hit came in the next at-bat as Stephen Parker lined a single to right field.
Drew Pomeranz made his Drillers debut Wednesday night against the Midland RockHounds. Pomeranz went seven innings allowing only two hits and striking out four. (Dave Crenshaw/Tulsa Drillers)
“That’s just part of baseball,” Pomeranz said. “I really wasn’t too [ticked] or anything. I was just like, ‘Oh well.’ I gave up another hit and was like, ‘Well let’s get the next guy.’ You give up a hit or two, you don’t want it to blow up on you when you’ve been pitching well the whole time.”
Pomeranz worked his way out of trouble by striking out Michael Spina and getting Adam Heether to line out. He left after throwing 78 pitches.
The fifth overall pick in the 2010 Draft, Pomeranz was included as the player to be named later in the trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland on July 30. Because players cannot be traded until one year after they are signed, the Ole Miss product could not officially be included in the deal until Tuesday.
“I really, truly did not think I was going to get traded,” Pomeranz said. “I was initially shocked. But teams do what they’ve got to do. They did what they did for a reason. That’s part of baseball, too; people get traded. Things happen like this. You’ve just got to learn how to stay focused. It’s baseball — it’s basically the same thing everywhere.”
Pomeranz spent his time off working out at the Indians’ spring training complex in Arizona.
“It has benefits and its downfall, too,” said Pomeranz, who posted a 1.98 ERA across two levels before the trade. “But what Minor League pitcher in his first year of pro ball wouldn’t want to have two weeks off to help yourself get in better shape, look at some video and work on things you want to work on worry-free? I think that helped me out.”
Pomeranz’s old brother, Stuart, served as the Drillers’ closer last season and recorded 18 saves. The 26-year-old right-hander, who signed with the Dodgers in the offseason, gave Pomeranz a scouting report of his new home.
“He told me it was a great organization, it was a nice stadium and it was hot as hell,” Pomeranz said. “He was pretty right about the last two things. Everything’s been great, talking to people here so far. The organization seems like a good organization. Everything he said has been true so far.”
Casey Weathers pitched the final two innings for Tulsa, striking out one and walking one. The two hits were the fewest allowed this season by the Drillers, who rank third in the Texas League with nine shutouts.
Leading Tulsa offensively was shortstop Hector Gomez, who went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three runs scored and fell a single shy of the cycle.
Addition To The Rockies Farm: Matt McBride
At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.
Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.
With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.
Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.
IF/OF – Matt McBride
Matt McBride, stuck behind other prospects in the Indians system, hopes to provide an impact bat for not only the Colorado Rockies but the Tulsa Drillers as well.
Drafted as a catcher, McBride now spends most of his time at either first base, or a corner outfield position. Now 26 and still in Double-A, McBride is not considered as a potential replacement at first base for the Rockies.
Over his six-year minor league career, McBride as hit .283, with 69 home runs and 350 RBI’s over that span. In his first game with the Drillers McBride impressed immediately going 3 for 4, with three singles and an RBI.
McBride might not have the “star” prospect potential that the likes of Alex White and Drew Pomeranz have, however McBride does have the ability to be a solid major league player.
McBride does have an injury plagued past. He was placed on the 7-Day concussion Disabled List, and has had trouble of late getting healthy.
Here is a look at Matt McBride’s 2011 stat line for the Akron Aeros:
G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG. SLG. OBP.
84 310 50 92 24 4 14 53 3 .297 .535 .359
Click picture for full detailed stats*
Addition To The Rockies Farm: Drew Pomeranz
At this point in the season it is often the case that major league parent clubs often “raid the pantry” from their minor league teams, moving top prospects to make an impact at the major league level.
Well for once, the Colorado Rockies have supplied the Drillers with a few players that could easily have an impact on the team winning the second half of Texas League north division and make the playoffs.
With that said, it was no secret that over last weekend that the Rockies traded All-Star and former Driller, Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four top prospects.
Over the next few days, I’ll give you a little background information on the prospects, and where they figure in both the Drillers and Rockies plans throughout the rest of this year, and the foreseeable future.
Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi. As a junior in 2010, Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA (100 2/3 IP, 71H, 27R/25ER, 49BB, 139K) in 16 starts.
LHP – Drew Pomeranz
His name might look familiar for many Drillers fans, as Drew’s older brother Stu Pomeranz pitched for the Drillers in 2010, but the comparisons can stop there. Selected by the Indians in the first round (5th Overall) in the 2010 First-Year MLB Player Draft, Pomeranz has shown immediately why he was thought so highly of while in college.
Drafted after his junior year in which Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 earned run average, he was named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year, placed on the All-American First Team, and was even a Golden Spikes Awards Finalist.
In his first year of professional Pomeranz has already reached Double-A in the Indians organization, while also being placed on the Futures Game Roster earlier in July.
The Rockies hope Pomeranz can become a solid member of their starting rotation as early as late 2012. He will more than likely make his debut in the Rockies system with Double-A Tulsa in late August, after officially being the player to be named later.
Here is a look at Drew Pomeranz’s 2011 stat line so far:
W L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
3 2 1.98 18 18 91.0 66 26 20 38 112
Drillers Home For Seven Games August 2-8
The Tulsa Drillers will begin the final month of the 2011 regular season with an important 7-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals) and the Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals). All three teams are battling for the second and final playoff spot from the North Division and the chance to meet Arkansas in the first round of the Texas League playoffs.
The Drillers will host the Naturals in a three-game set, followed by a four-game series with the Cardinals. Every game in the homestand is scheduled to begin at 7:05PM at ONEOK Field.
The seven games will be include a Friday Night Fireworks promotion on August 5. Kids, ages 14 and under, will receive Back-to-School Backpacks on August 6 and matching Lunch Bags on August 7.
Other promotions will include a $2 Tuesday for the opener on August 2, Rivalry Night/Thirsty Thursday on August 4 and $1 Dog Monday Night for the finale on August 8. A complete list of promotions with descriptions is below. Tickets for all of the games are now on sale at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office at 201 N. Elgin Ave. and at TulsaDrillers.com.Tickets are also available by calling the Ticket Office at (918)744-5901.
Keeping It Close:During the first 100 games of the season, the Drillers played 59 games that were decided by three runs or less. They compiled a 32-27 record in those games.
Rosario Leading:Wilin Rosario leads all regular Texas League catchers with a .993 fielding percentage. He is second to Salvador Perez of Northwest Arkansas in throwing out attempted base stealers, nailing 35% of runners.
Even Up:Tulsa is 4-4 against both Northwest Arkansas and Springfield in games played at ONEOK Field this season.
Chasing History:Tim Wheeler is on an offensive pace that could allow him to finish in the Top 10 for Drillers season totals in home runs, triples, runs scored and runs batted in. The records date back to 1977, the first season for the Drillers franchise.
TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE & PROMOTIONS (August 2-8)
Tuesday, August 2. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
$2 TUESDAY
The ultimate night of discounts returns to ONEOK Field with $2 Tuesday presented by Pepsi, Warehouse Market, Mix 96 and 2 News Works For You. General Admission tickets on the outfield lawn are only $2.00 each, while all other tickets are discounted $3.00 off normal prices. In addition, hot dogs, Mazzio’s Pizza slices, 21 ounce Pepsi fountain drinks, jumbo soft pretzels and souvenir programs will be on sale for only $2.00 each.
KRAFT SINGLES TUESDAY NIGHT TICKETS
Buy one, get one FREE from Kraft Singles! Fans presenting an outer wrapper from a package of Kraft Singles can purchase two regular priced tickets for the price of one! Only one ticket discount can be used when purchasing tickets.
Wednesday, August 3. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
REMEMBER “WHENSDAY” 70’s NIGHT
92.9 BOB FM takes you back to the decade of sideburns, bell-bottomed pants and platform shoes. There will 1970’s trivia throughout the game with great prizes up for grabs and plenty of disco music!
Thursday, August 4. . . NW Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
THIRSTY THURSDAY / RIVALRY NIGHT
Football season is just around the corner and we will help to get you ready with Rivalry Night presented by Chris Nikel Fiat, Urban Tulsa Weekly and The Buzz Networks. Fans are encouraged to wear the colors of their favorite schools. Marcus Dupree, Jamelle Holieway and Kenyatta Wright will be among the former Sooners and Cowboys in attendance to sign autographs and meet fans. It is also a Thirsty Thursday with 12 ounce servings of Bud and Bud Light and 21 ounce servings of Pepsi products on sale for only $1 each.
Friday, August 5. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
There is no better way to spend a summer evening than watching a spectacular Fireworks Show at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa! The skies will light up after the game courtesy of 97.5 KMOD.
FRITOS® FAMILY NIGHT
It is also FRITOS® Family Night with six lucky families being chosen to participate in a number of behind-the-scenes activities at the ballpark. Fans can also present a FRITOS® Corn Chips sack at Black Gold Outfitters to receive 10% of their purchases.
Saturday, August 6. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
GRAND SLAM SATURDAY / DRILLERS BACKPACKS / LIBRARY READING NIGHT
PSO and NewsChannel 8 present another great Grand Slam Saturday with the first 1,000 young fans, ages 14 and under, receiving a Drillers back-to-school backpack. This special giveaway will be available at the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances only! In addition, students completing the Library Reading Program can get a free general admission ticket from their local Tulsa City-County Library.
Sunday, August 7. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FAMILY FUNDAY SUNDAY / DRILLERS LUNCH BAGS / BEAT THE HEAT SPLASH ZONE / KIDS EAT FREE
It’s Family FunDay Sunday and the first 1,000 kids, ages 12 and under, will receive a Drillers Lunch Bag compliments of the University of Phoenix, 2 News Works For You and K95.5FM. The lunch bags are combos of the backpacks and can be easily attached for convenient trips to school. This special giveaway will be available at the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances only!
Young fans are encouraged to wear their bathing suits and “beat the heat” under our giant, FREE waterspout courtesy of EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department.
The first 500 kids, ages 12 and under, will receive a voucher that is redeemable for a free hot dog, milk, and an ice cream dessert at the concession stands courtesy of Borden Dairy, K95.5FM and 2 News Works For You.
Lastly, from 6:15-6:30PM, a pair of Drillers players will be in Black Gold Outfitters signing autographs for all fans. After the game, all kids will be allowed on the field to run the bases.
Monday, August 8. . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
$1 DOG MONDAY NIGHT
It is the homestand finale and another $1 Dog Monday with dog owners encouraged to bring their best friends to the park to enjoy an evening of relaxation together courtesy of Southern Agriculture and 94.1, The Sound. In addition, the famous “Driller Dog” hot dogs will be on sale all evening long for only $1 each! All dogs are admitted FREE, but their owners must present proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Fans with dogs should enter the park through either the Oil Derrick Entrance or the Arvest (Brady Street) Entrance.
Tulsa Time: 60 Second Interview With Reliever Sean Jarrett
Besides seeing the Tulsa Drillers play at ONEOK Field during the season, what do you really know about the 2011 Drillers players outside of the baseball setting? It is quite hard for Drillers fans to get to know the players throughout the year as the team is either on the road or in the midst of a long homestand.
Where is their favorite restaurant in Tulsa? Do you have a pre-game routine? Facebook or Twitter? These are just a couple of the questions we sat down and asked the players if they could answer.
However, during the interview each player would be allowed only one minute to answer all 17 questions.
A native of Westminster, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, Sean Jarrett is extremely familiar with the Rockies system.
Tulsa Drillers reliever Sean Jarrett is in his second year with the Drillers. Jarrett was selected by the Rockies in the 20th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.
Besides growing up outside of Denver, Jarrett also attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is also home to the Rockies Double-A affiliate Tulsa Drillers. 2011 will be Jarrett’s second year with the team as the reliever went 3-1, with a 1.80 earned run average in 2010. His 1.80 earned run average was good enough for second on the team.
1. Subway, Quiznos, or Which Wich?
Sean Jarrett: “Tough one…..hum…..Quiznos”
2. Facebook or Twitter?
SJ: “Embarrassingly enough, I am on both.”
3. What is your favorite type of Music?
SJ: “Country.”
4. What is your favorite TV show? Past or Present?
SJ: “I really don’t watch too much television, so I really couldn’t tell you my favorite show.”
5. What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
SJ: “Golf.”
6. And who is your favorite non-baseball athlete?
SJ: “Sam Salabura. He is just dominate on the golf course.”
7. Who was your idol when you were growing up?
SJ: “……I’d say my grandpa.”
8. What is your favorite meal?
SJ: “I don’t have a favorite meal per say, I just love food in general.”
9. Do you have a pre-game routine?
SJ: “Not really being a relief pitcher. But warming up out there I have a few things that I do consistently before coming in the game.”
10. What is your favorite restaurant in Tulsa?
SJ: “Cheddars. It’s really good food for a very affordable price.”
11. Who is the funniest Drillers teammate?
SJ: “Friedrich. No contest.”
12. Most embarrassing moment while playing?
SJ: “My cleats stuck together one game and I tripped running in from the bullpen.”
13. What is your nickname?
SJ: “Don’t ask me why…..but it’s Pablo.”
14. Chuck Norris or Scott Beerer?
SJ: “Chuck Norris. Only because Scott Beerer really scares me.”
15. Smooth or Crunchy Peanut Butter?
SJ: “Smooth.”
16. Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore?
SJ: “Either. Both are funny movies.”
17. Seinfeld or The Office?
SJ: “Seinfeld.”
Wheeler Placed On Baseball America’s Hot Sheet
One of, if not the, most respected baseball magazine has added Tulsa Drillers centerfielder to its Hot Sheet for the week of July 1 through July 8. Baseball America is widely known as being the Holy Grail for those who seek baseball knowledge. The magazine reports from high school baseball, to the major leagues and anything in between.
Baseball America publishes a weekly report ranking the top minor league players from the previous week in their eyes. The rankings are determined not only be statistical information the players produce over the week but also how Baseball America ranks them as a future MLB prospect.
The magazine had this to say about Wheeler:
Wheeler’s breakout season keeps rolling. The 2009 first-round pick out of Sacramento State hit .252/.338/.383 with 17 home runs in his first season and a half, and this year his power outburst has produced one of the best offensive seasons in the minors. Wheeler has 22 homers in 82 games, with a .316/.398/.602 line that gives him a pretty 1.000 OPS. He has always had plus raw power, but there were questions about how usable it would be. Wheeler is answering those questions with a home run total that ties him for fourth in the minors, just three behind minor league leader Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks.
Wheeler increased his Texas League home run total Thursday night against the Corpus Christi Hooks. Not only did he hit two home runs on Thursday, Wheeler showed his power to all fields as his home run to left field was an impressive display of opposite field power.
Baseball America writer J.J. Cooper talked about the centerfielder earlier Friday in an open chat session with fans, “I did a personal Top 100 before we put together out Top 50 and I had him at No. 53 on that list. If he keeps this up over the second half of the season he’s a sure-fire Top 100 Prospect next February.”
Tulsa Time: A 60 Second Interview With Christian Friedrich
How well do you know your Tulsa Drillers? No matter how big of a fan you are, we want to help you get to know the players that make up the Tulsa Drillers roster.
What is their favorite restaurant in Tulsa? Do they have a pre-game routine? Facebook or Twitter? These are just some of the questions we will ask the players to help you get to know them.
However, each player has only one minute to answer all 17 questions.
Christian Friedrich was glad to be the first to sit down with us and answer all the questions in a fast paced setting. Friedrich is currently the leader of the Drillers pitching staff and ranked the number two pitcher in the Colorado Rockies farm system by Baseball America.
Through 16 starts in 2011 Christian Friedrich is 6-5 with a 3.93 earned run average. Friedrich is currently ranked the second best pitching prospect in the Colorado Rockies system by Baseball America. (Rich Crimi)
1. Subway, Quiznos, or Which Wich?
Christian Friedrich: “Subway for sure.”
2. Facebook or Twitter?
CF: “I’ll have to go with Twitter.”
3. What is your favorite type of Music?
CF: “Rock.”
4. What is your favorite TV show? Past or Present?
CF: “Fringe.”
5. What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
CF: “Hockey.”
6. And who is your favorite hockey player?
CF: “Patrick Kane…..hands down.”
7. Who was your idol when you were growing up?
CF: “Barry Zito.”
8. What is your favorite meal?
CF: “…….Steak and broccoli”
9. Do you have a pre-game routine?
CF: “Listen to music to get me going then drink a cup of coffee.”
10. What is your favorite restaurant in Tulsa?
CF: “Fat guys.”
11. Who is the funniest Drillers teammate?
CF: “…..I would have to say Daniel Turpen”
12. Most embarrassing moment while playing?
CF: “I guess not getting a hit or something. I really don’t know.”
13. What is your nickname?
CF: “Bird…”
14. Chuck Norris or Scott Beerer?
CF: “Scottie.”
15. Smooth or Crunchy Peanut Butter?
CF: “Smooth.”
16. Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore?
CF: “Happy Gilmore.”
17. Seinfeld or The Office?
CF: “Oh The Office.”
Former Driller Making Impression At Highest Level
After a 2010 season in High-A Modesto leading the league in innings (177.1) and strikeouts (171) Juan Nicasio was promoted to Double-A Tulsa in the beginning of the 2011 season. It was expected from the Colorado Rockies organization that Nicasio would have to build on a successful 2010 season if the native Dominican wanted to pitch in the big leagues. 
What wasn’t expected is that Nicasio would make his major league debut before the All-Star break in 2011.
Nicasio began the season going 5-1 with the Drillers through nine starts in 2011, compiling 63 strikeouts in only 56.2 innings pitched while posting a 2.22 earned run average, tops in the Texas League.
On May 28, 2011 Juan Nicasio made his debut for the Colorado Rockies against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. He went seven strong innings allowing only six hits and one unearned run, recording his first major league victory.
Over the last month Nicasio has been a spark plug-in the Rockies starting rotation going 3-1 with a 4.10 earned run average in seven starts with the club.
As the Drillers try to clinch the Texas League North in the second half and a playoff berth, unfortunately for Drillers fans it’s not looking like Nicasio will be back any time soon to help.
The Tulsa Drillers will be back at ONEOK Field on July 14th taking on the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 PM.
DRILL BITS 