Tagged: Tulsa Drillers
Eight Tulsa Drillers Make Texas League North Division All-Star Team
Tim Wheeler leads a group of eight Tulsa Drillers players that have named to the North Division All-Star Team that was announced today by the Texas League. The North Division will face the South Division in San Antonio on Wednesday, June 29 in the annual game.
Tim Wheeler and Wilin Rosario were both named starters in the 2011 Texas League All-Star Game to be played in San Antonio on June 29, 2011. (Rich Crimi)
Wheeler and catcher Wilin Rosario were named starters, while infielders Darin Holcomb and Ben Paulsen and outfielder Scott Beerer were named reserves.
Tulsa pitchers Stephen Dodson, Christian Friedrich and Juan Nicasio were also elected to the North Division squad.
Nicasio is currently with the Colorado Rockies and will only participate in the game if he is returned to the Drillers’ roster.
Players are determined for the two squads based on voting by league managers and media members.
The eight players tied Tulsa with San Antonio and Frisco for the second most representatives in the game. Arkansas has nine players that were voted to participate in the game.
Bishop Kelley product Dallas Kuechele and Henryetta product Sawyer Carroll were named to the South Division squad.
Complete rosters and staffs for the two sides are below
NORTH DIVISION ROSTER
1B Matt Adams Springfield
2B Ryan Mount Arkansas
3B Luis Jimenez Arkansas
SS Darwin Perez Arkansas
C Wilin Rosario Tulsa
DH Anthony Seratelli NW Arkansas
OF Alex Castellanos Springfield
OF Mike Trout Arkansas
OF Tim Wheeler Tulsa
RES Darin Holcomb Tulsa
RES Ryan Jackson Springfield
RES Ben Paulsen Tulsa
RES Salvador Perez NW Arkansas
RES Scott Beerer Tulsa
P Orangel Arenas Arkansas
P Michael Blazek Springfield
P Ryan Brasier Arkansas
P Maikel Cleto Springfield
P Stephen Dodson Tulsa
P Christian Friedrich Tulsa
P Juan Nicasio Tulsa
P Trevor Reckling Arkansas
P Garrett Richards Arkansas
P Matt Shoemaker Arkansas
MGR Brian Poldberg NW Arkansas
CH Terry Bradshaw NW Arkansas
CCH Larry Carter NW Arkansas
TR Tony Medina NW Arkansas
SOUTH DIVISION ROSTER
1B Michael Spina Midland
2B Vince Belnome San Antonio
3B James Darnell San Antonio
SS Wladamir Sutil Corpus Christi
C Ali Solis San Antonio
DH Mike Bianucci Frisco
OF Leonys Martin Frisco
OF Jermaine Mitchell Midland
OF J.D. Martinez Corpus Christi
RES Grant Green Midland
RES Tommy Mendonca Frisco
RES Renny Osuna Frisco
RES Jose Felix Frisco
RES Sawyer Carroll San Antonio
P Anthony Bass San Antonio
P Brad Brach San Antonio
P Xavier Cedeno Corpus Christi
P Adalberto Flores Frisco
P Ethan Hollingsworth Midland
P Casey Kelly San Antonio
P Dallas Kuechel Corpus Christi
P Justin Miller Frisco
P Martin Perez Frisco
P Jorge Reyes San Antonio
MGR Doug Dascenzo San Antonio
CH Jimmy Jones San Antonio
CH Tom Tornincasa San Antonio
TR Nate Stewart San Antonio
A Sitdown with Lars Davis
Courtesy of Kevin Henry from the Tulsa Examiner:
Lars Davis is in an interesting position for the Tulsa Drillers.
Davis, selected by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Illinois, currently serves as the backup catcher to Wilin Rosario, ranked #2 among all Colorado Rockies prospects in their farm system. Yet, when Davis has his chances behind the plate, he is making the most of his opportunities, hitting .318 in 19 games with two homers and six RBIs in his 66 at-bats.
I recently had the chance to talk to Davis about his season, his outlook, and his thoughts on the injury to San Francisco catcher Buster Posey.
Kevin Henry: How do you prepare knowing you’re not going to play everyday?
Lars Davis: The biggest thing is my mindset. I have to work on my mental game as much as my physical game. It’s taken me a few seasons to realize that, but I know I have to do what I can to help the team win when I am in there. That can be on any given day. I know I always have to play good defense and always help my pitchers in every way I can.
Henry: You know you only have a certain number of at-bats in your current situation. Does that change your philosophy when you’re batting?
Davis: I’m always looking for a good pitch to hit. Every time I get in there, I want to put my best swing on the ball. I can’t get a hit every time, but I can always put my best swing out there.
Henry: Earlier you mentioned defense and you have earned the reputation as a very solid defensive catcher. What did you do in the offseason to work on that?
Davis: I worked a lot with Marv Foley (Colorado’s catching coordinator) and really learned a lot from him. I really worked hard on my throws and blocking the ball in the dirt.
Henry: How long does it take for you to development relationships with your pitchers so you know what needs to be called and when?
Davis: That’s always an ongoing process. I’ve been with some of our pitchers since we were all drafted together. Some of our pitchers are new arms in the bullpen. I try to learn what they feel comfortable throwing in certain situations and go from there.
Henry: As a catcher, what were your thoughts when you saw Buster Posey go down in that collision at home plate?
Davis: It’s a tragedy to lose a player like Buster to an injury. As a catcher, you know there is a risk there and that an injury like that is a risk you face. A lot of people are debating who was right or wrong there, but I don’t feel strongly one way or the other. Collisions at home plate are part of the game. They’ve been part of the game forever. Look at Pete Rose in the All-Star Game. We see it happen all of the time, and I think we’ll keep seeing it happen.
Henry: This is your second season with the Drillers. What do you think of the makeup of this year’s team?
Davis: I think we have a fantastic club. We have a lot of returning players from last season and a lot of guys on this team who knows what it takes to win.
Drillers Land On Baseball America’s Daily Dish
• Rockies 2008 first-round lefthander Christian Friedrich rebounded from a dismal May 25 start (10 runs, seven hits in 1 2/3 innings) to turn in his finest effort of the season for Tulsa. His game score jumped 63 points, from 10 to 73, in limiting Frisco to one run on just two hits over seven innings. The 23-year-old notched five strikeouts against one walk and recorded 11 of 13 in-play outs on groundballs.
• Double-A Tulsa center fielder Tim Wheeler (Rockies) went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .337. The leadoff hitter improbably leads the Texas League with 14 homers and 45 RBIs despite not collecting any of either in a weekend series at Frisco.
Courtesy of Matt Eddy (Baseball America)
Monday Morning Manager: The Day-Game Version
So far in 2011 the Tulsa Drillers are 23-19 in Texas League Play. Though through their last ten games the team is 4-6, the Drillers still own a half-game lead in the Northern Division over Northwest Arkansas. And they own a two and a half game lead over the Arkansas Travelers.
The starting pitching has certainly been a strength so far in the season with Juan Nicasio, Christian Friedrich, and Rob Scahill all pitching great in their last outing. Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Aaron Cook will be on the mound for the Drillers Monday as he is making his third rehab start with the team and looking to build on his last two outings.
Thomas Field is leading the Drillers with eight runs batted in over the last ten games. (Rich Crimi)
Not only has the pitching been great so far, the bats are starting to heat up. Scott Beerer is hitting .345 over his last ten games, with two home runs and five runs batted in. Thomas Field is also starting to turn his season around as well. Field has put together what is easily his best ten game stretch as a Tulsa Driller. He is hitting .313 with ten hits, one home run, eight runs batted in, four runs in his last ten games.
Here are the questions for the week Drillville:
- Who do you predict will make the Texas League All-Star team from the Drillers in 2011?
- What has been your most memorable game so far in 2011?
- With only a few players back from the 2010 team. Who do you believe is the Drillville’s new favorite player?
- If given a choice of the two. Would you prefer original double-bubble or apple flavored dubble-bubble?
Texas League Tuesday Notes: Wheeler Realizes Potential
His manager saw the potential. This year, Tulsa Drillers outfielder Tim Wheeler is showing it for everyone.
Wheeler, a first-round pick of the Rockies in 2009, is thriving in his Double-A debut. After hitting no higher than .256 in his first two professional seasons, Wheeler entered Tuesday’s action hitting .326 with a team-high 12 home runs and 35 RBIs out of the leadoff spot.
“I’ve just done a good job of keeping the same swing day in and day out,” Wheeler said. “And when I do have a bad day, I’m going back out the next day with the same swing and not changing something, just really trying to use my hands and not changing a whole lot.”
Wheeler’s early-season power surge puts him on a pace to become the first Texas Leaguer to hit 40 homers in a season since 1964 (Brandon Berger,Wichita). Whether Wheeler can maintain his current output remains to be seen, of course, but he’s showing the potential that Drillers manager Duane Espy witnessed first-hand as his hitting coach with Modesto in 2010.
Tim Wheeler has 12 Home Runs in 2011. Matching his season total from 2010.
“It’s been pretty special what he’s done, but I’m not surprised, because I saw what he was capable of last year,” said Espy, the veteran coach and manager in his 42nd professional season.
After the Rockies drafted Wheeler out of Sacramento State, he hit .256 with five home runs, 35 RBIs and 60 strikeouts in 68 games at Short Season Tri-City. He skipped Class A to start last season at Class A Advanced Modesto and batted .249 in 129 games with 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 114 strikeouts.
“At times it was frustrating, but it was just part of the process,” Wheeler said. “I wasn’t ready to play in the big leagues last year. You never know when that’s going to happen, but it was a lot of learning. It made me a better player, and this year I’m showing that.”
Though the strikeouts piled up and the average stayed, well, average, Wheeler showed the work ethic and commitment to winning that helped lead Modesto to the California League playoffs.
“I just try to make myself better every day, whether it be defense, hitting, base running and just being a good teammate, helping the team win really,” Wheeler said. “We got to the semis in the postseason last year, and we did a good job.”
Espy pointed out that Modesto’s 56-year-old John Thurman Field, with its deep power alleys and 400-foot center-field fence, was not always conducive to the power Wheeler has shown this year. But also, Espy noted, Wheeler is the type of player to give up outs in favor of runs.
“You had a guy on third and the infield back, he’d hit a ground ball to second and drive him in,” Espy said. “You could tell he was that type of guy. You could tell that was important. That creates a .250 instead of a .275 or .280 batting average, making outs for the team, but certainly he was a big part of us winning.”
Drillers Promotional Headlines For The May 3rd – May 6th Homestand
Hello Drillville,
The Drillers will be home again for a short four game strech Tuesday May 3 through Friday May 6. All games through out the homestand will have a 7:05 PM first pitch, except the game on Wednesday which is scheduled for 11:05 AM.
TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE & PROMOTIONS (May 3-6)
Tuesday, May 3 . . . . . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
$2 TUESDAY
The ultimate night of discounts returns to ONEOK Field with $2 Tuesday presented by Pepsi, Frito Lay, Warehouse Market, 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, Driller Dogs, Mazzio’s Pizza slices, 21oz Pepsi fountain drinks, and jumbo soft pretzels will be on sale for only $2.00 each!
KRAFT SINGLES TUESDAY NIGHT TICKETS
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, May 4 . . . . . . Arkansas Travelers (11:05AM) – Gates Open at 10:00AM
DAY BASEBALL GAME!
It’s baseball in the A.M. as the Drillers and Travelers get an early start with first pitch slated for 11:05AM! Brought to you by PSO.
Thursday, May 5 . . . . . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Quench your thirst at ONEOK Field tonight as 12oz Beer and 21oz Pepsi Products will be on sale for only $1 each!
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION
Downtown Tulsa’s Cinco De Mayo Celebration gets its start at ONEOK Field, beginning at 6:00 PM when the stadium gates open! Start the evening off right with $1 Beer as the Drillers take on division rival, the Arkansas Travelers! Brought to you by Vista Shadow Mountain.
Friday, May 6 . . . . . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
The third fireworks display of the season gives fans another opportunity to watch a spectacular show that will light up the night sky over downtown Tulsa and ONEOK Field following the action on the field! Brought to you by XETA Technologies.
POST GAME BALL TOSS, “CHUCK IT IN THE BUCKET!”
Before the fireworks it’s your chance to win $400 in COLD HARD CASH, if you can, “Chuck it in the Bucket!” Balls are sold on the concourse throughout the duration of the game; purchase 6 balls for $5, or increase your chances by purchasing 13 balls for only $10!
Monday Morning Manager: Rain Edition
Scott Beerer launches a home run against Springfied. (Rich Crimi)
With an off day yesterday due in large part to the observance of Easter, the Drillers are 9-7. That 9-7 mark is good enough to place the Drillers in a tie for first place with Northwest Arkansas. This week the Drillers are scheduled to take on the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock, but so far weather is looking like it might not cooperate.
Rain aside, today we begin a new segment on Drill Bits. We are excited to premiere the Monday Morning Manager segment on the blog.
The Monday Morning Manager will typically consist of open-ended questions for the Drillville faithful to answer. The questions are for fans to comment on, so we are visibly able to gauge their opinion on not only the baseball team but promotions, ONEOK Field, and everything else that is Tulsa Drillers.
- So far in the 2011, who do you believe has had the best season up to Monday as a Driller?
- Of all the promotions the Tulsa Drillers have done in 2011, what is your favorite?
- What has been the strongest part of the Drillers so far this year? Weakest?
A Day With A “Clubbie” Part 2
Hey Drillville,
Here is the remaining part of the interview with Drillers Clubhouse Manager, Sam Salabura.
7. What is your schedule like during the off-season?
Usually during November I got back to Arizona and work the Arizona Fall League for the Rockies and other organization’s prospects. Then when I come back around the middle of December and usually pick up a side job for a few months. Before you know it, it is time to head back out to Arizona for spring training and repeat the process.
8. I know there has to be one that stands out, but who was the dirtiest player you ever had to deal with?
I really feel bad about this question, and don’t want to throw any one under the bus. What I will say is that there are definitely people in the locker room that are extremely messy, and there are some players that are very clean. That is pretty much what you are going to get out of me.
9. What is your ultimate goal while working in sports?
I obviously want to be a clubhouse manager for either a Major League Baseball team, or an NBA team at some point in the future. I would also say keeping moving up would be my main goal.
10. With many of the minor league players from Latin America, are there any situations that arise from a language barrier?
Oh yea there are a few situations that arise daily in the locker room. One thing is that I can communicate in Spanish a little bit with them. But I give Dan Pace (Cultural Development Coordinator) a bunch of credit in that department. He does a great job at getting the Latin American players acclimated to the U.S.A, playing baseball over here in the states, and the lifestyle changes needed to be a successful baseball player.
11. What is the main difference from Drillers Stadium and ONEOK Field?
The main thing that I notice is that there is more space here at ONEOK. At the old park there was never enough room for all of the players.
I just wanted to say one last thing before you left. I am really big on twitter now and if anyone would like to follow me they can find me at: @Bura13.
Drillers in MiLB Promotional Headlines Again
It’s that time of the week again to give you guys and gals a heads up on the promotions for the upcoming homestand against Springfield. Tuesday, the Drillers were also included in Ben Hill’s Promo Preview of the week. Here is Hill’s take on Pineapple Palooza the Drillers will be hosting April 20th:
Tulsa Drillers (Texas League)
Pineapple Palooza, April 20
Wednesday is 4/20, a date on the calendar long associated with the celebration of a mind-altering substance: its National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day! The Drillers are marking the occasion with a full-on “palooza,” a designation that easily outranks “fest,” “party,” “shindig” and even “blowout” in the American lexicon. The evening will be highlighted by the “Pineapple Olympics,” featuring events such as golf, shot put and, most harrowing, smoothie chugging. The winners receive pineapple-related prizes (a fitting conclusion to any fruit-ful endeavor), leaving the losers with Dole-ful expressions on their faces.
Also on the official Ben Hill Blog, he has discovered a recent picture of Hornsby. Hill is quickly to proclaim the picture as “One of the greatest mascot photos of All-Time”.
Tulsa Drillers mascot Hornsby decided to take a "dive", during his weekend off last week.
TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE & PROMOTIONS (April 20-23)
Wednesday, April 20 . . . . . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
PINEAPPLE PALOOZA!
The unofficial definition for “palooza” is, an all-out crazy party; partying at one place with a ton of people like there’s no tomorrow. Today is National Pineapple Upside down Cake day; and the Drillers invite you to come celebrate all things pineapple with us!
Thursday, April 21 . . . . . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Quench your thirst at ONEOK Field tonight as 12oz Beer and 16oz Pepsi Products will be on sale for only $1 each!
“GO GREEN” NIGHT
The Metropolitan Environmental Trust encourages going green by creating awareness about recycling; Drillers Players and coaches will wear special Green Jerseys during tonight’s game to help promote the cause!
Friday, April 22 . . . . . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
Following the action on the field a spectacular Fireworks Display will light up the night sky over downtown Tulsa and ONEOK Field! Brought to you by PSO
POST GAME BALL TOSS, “CHUCK IT IN THE BUCKET!”
Before the fireworks it’s your chance to win $400 in COLD HARD CASH, if you can, “Chuck it in the Bucket!” Balls are sold on the concourse throughout the duration of the game; purchase 6 balls for $5, or increase your chances by purchasing 13 balls for only $10!
Saturday, April 23 . . . . . . Springfield Cardinals (7:05PM) – Gates Open at 6:00PM
NEWS CHANNEL 8 GRAND SLAM SATURDAY / BARK IN THE PARK
One of the Drillers’ most popular promotions, Bark in The Park, is back again this season, its second time at ONEOK Field!
Dog owners are encouraged to bring their “best buds” to ONEOK Field to enjoy an evening of baseball together!
All dogs are admitted Free with their owner, and doggy tickets can be picked up at all Tulsa Humane Society and VCA Animal Hospital locations (donations are suggested to help benefit the Humane Society of Tulsa). All Dogs MUST have up to date Vaccinations in order to gain admittance to ONEOK Field!
A Day With A “Clubbie” Part 1
With the Tulsa Drillers season at full-blown speed right now, there wouldn’t be a better time to catch up with the Drillers Clubhouse Manager, Sam Salabura. While the Drillers are currently on their first road trip of the 2011 season taking on Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Sam took some time out of his schedule to answer a few questions for the Drillville faithful.
1. So how did you get started with the Tulsa Drillers?
Well I knew I wanted to pursue a career in sports, so when I attended college I graduated with a degree in sports management. I started out as a Clubhouse Manager for a Cardinals affiliate in Davenport, Iowa close to my hometown of Chicago. I found about the open position with the Drillers and knew some people in the Rockies organization and got hired on.
2. Have you always been primarily a baseball fan? If not what other sports do you enjoy?
I like baseball, and the White Sox are my team, by far. But I am also a huge basketball and football guy. As you could also assume, I am a pretty big (Chicago) Bulls guy.
3. I know you recently got back from Arizona. What was a typical day during Spring Training with the Rockies?
The first few weeks we had to get everything set up at the new complex that we share with the Diamondbacks. After that we broke up into shifts for the daily duties when the Rockies were in camp. The field setup shift was from 6:00 AM to around 1:00 PM, after that the locker room shift was from 12:30 PM to about 6:00 PM.
4. What are the average day-today duties with the Drillers during the season?
In spring training there are more guys that handle the clubhouse but during the season I am the only guy with the Tulsa Drillers. I pretty much do a little of everything from washing the uniforms after games, to cooking the pre-game meal, and even taking all care of all packages each player gets.
5. Do you still talk to former Driller players who are now in the show?
I try to keep up with them, but with my busy schedule and their busy schedule it is really hard. Usually we keep up through texts, because it is so much easier than over the phone.
6. Have you ever been a part of a player getting called up to the Majors? If so, can you tell us about it?
Yes I actually have. Jhoulys Chacin, got the call up two years ago and it was a pretty cool moment around here. At that point in time he was extremely overwhelmed getting called up, since he was only in Double-A. Hopefully it won’t be the last call up, sometimes I wish I could go with the guys when they get called up to the show, but I just have to wait my turn like them.
DRILL BITS 