No Room At The Inn For The Travelers

Late night travel is just part of the job. A professional baseball player comes to expect those bus rides through the middle of the night. When they come after a victory, the ride usually seems to go smoother. There’s laughter and lively conversation. And the beds just seem to be slightly more comfortable even though you didn’t hit the proverbial sack until 4:00 a.m. Provided that is, there is a room reserved for you with a sack to hit at the hotel at which you arrive.

Yet here are the Arkansas Travelers…sitting in the lobby of the Comfort Suites six hours after a well-played 3-1 victory at Midland gave them a 2-to-1 series win over the RockHounds. For some reason (and honestly who cares why) there are no rooms for the team. That’s right…no rooms. There is no vacancy at the inn. That’s 32 men who have just unloaded off a cramped bus each looking forward to a few hours of sleep before waking and heading to Dr Pepper Ballpark to begin a series with the Frisco RoughRiders. Thirty-two men who now have nowhere to go except to the Comfort Suites’ breakfast area, which has become the de facto Travs clubhouse for the time being.

They actually seem to be enjoying this little misadventure. Instead of complaining and getting bitter about their lack of room and board, the Travelers are sitting together making light of the situation. Many more laughs are audible than groans…but that’s just 30 minutes into this detour.  So while the innkeeper here attempts to find someplace that will take the team in for the night, I’m going to see what’s so funny.

 

Phil Elson

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Rubber Match in Midland

* Tonight the Travs wrap up a three-game series in Midland against the RockHounds looking for a series win. The first two games of this season really can give you an idea of how crazy and unpredictable baseball can be. I can’t think of another example of a team firing on all cylinders one night then getting totally shutdown the next night. During Thursday’s opener the Travs pounded out 22 hits and scored 20 runs for just the second time during the 13-season affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels. Then Friday night tehy were shutout on six base hits for a discrepancy of 20 runs and 16 base hits.

* RockHounds pitcher Zach Neal deserves credit for keeping the Travs off balance with a good combination of off-speed pitches over his five innings. Neal, who is not a flamethrower, struck out six Travs batters and allowed just three batters to reach base.

* One of the more impressive parts of Friday’s 6-0 loss was pinpoint throw catcher Jett Bandy made to catch Athletics prospect Addison Russell stealing in the third inning.  With an 88 percent success rate at Single-A, Russell certainly isn’t used to being gunned down, but Bandy unleashed a great throw with a 1.9 pop time to second base to nail Russell, who was then pulled from the game after feeling a twinge in his hamstring.

* The Travelers bullpen has been very impressive over two games with ten scoreless innings thrown in Midland. Reliever Kevin Johnson threw two perfect innings last night with that great sinker he displays. R.J. Alvarez blew two batters away in a hitless inning and change-up artist Mike Morin struck out the side on 17 pitches in the eighth.

2014 Season Preview Series – Mayo Breaks Down The Travs

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2014 Season Preview Series

Minor League Baseball fans have MLB Pipeline bookmarked as a great resource for top prospects and insight. Along with Jim Calis, Jonathan Mayo (@JonathnMayoB3) has been one of the best in the business reporting on prospects for years. Travs Talk sat down with Mayo to get his thoughts on the 2014 Arkansas Travelers.

TT: Stating pitching and a deep bullpen – on paper anyway – look like Travs strengths going into the season.

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Mark Sappington

JM: Yea especially the bullpen. I thought (Michael) Morin would start the season in Salt Lake City and Triple-A. I think he has a chance to impact the Big League bullpen this year. R.J. Alvarez is another guy who may not be around Little Rock long. If he can tighten up his command he can be a closer for the Angels. It’s going to be interesting how they (Travelers) use them this season whether as a closer or a seventh – eighth inning guy. Mark Sappington has the most upside among the pitchers and maybe of any player on the entire roster. When healthy and i stress when healthy he can be a Major League middle of the rotation guy,

 

TT: The infield that Manager Phillip Wellman will send out every night is as equally talented and begins with the MLB.com No. 1 Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart.

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Kaleb Cowart

JM: It is a very big year for Cowart. He needs to return to the player that he was a couple of seasons ago. When you talk to the Angels front office, they are confident that he will turn it around. His make-up is off the charts. Even while struggling last season he didn’t lose confidence and continued to get better defensively. Remember he’s in Double-A and will be what, 22 in June? Still a very young guy.

 

TT: The middle of this Arkansas infield can flash some leather and are dangerous on the base paths.

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Alex Yarbrough

JM: Eric Stamets and (Alex) Yarbrough are a couple of college guys – Stamets from Evansville and Yarbrough from Ole Miss – with question marks about what they will be. Stamets can really play shortstop and run. His stolen base numbers weren’t that impressive last year (16 stolen bags) but I expect him to run more this year. Yarbrough hits better than his tools say he should. He’s one of the players on this roster that has to prove that he can hit in Double-A and not be a Cal League one-year wonder.

 

TT: How hard is it for organizations like the Angels to fairly evaluate a big season n a place like Inland Empire?

JM: It’s tough. It’s all about “Let me see him do it again in let’s say Arkansas”. Single-A to Double-A is where you separate guys who can and can not play in the Majors.

 

TT: I would guess then as we switch to the Travelers outfield that Zach Borenstein is another “show me again” player after a monster power year for the 66ers last season.

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JM: He’s really an intriguing player. For a power-hitter who will play left field, you have to be encouraged by his discipline and walk ratio (drew 43 free passes a year ago).  If he puts up home run and RBI numbers again this year in the Texas League and n a home park that is pitcher friendly – he will get more mention as a top prospect.

Dave Barr (@daveabarr)

2014 Season Preview Series – Some Names to Remember.

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For the past decade, the Texas League has been a pipeline of talent to the Big Leagues – 2014 is no exception.

Here are some names to remember as Opening Day is right around the corner.

 

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Aledmys Diaz – Shortstop – Springfield Cardinals

On March, 9 the Cardinals signed the sweet-swinging Cuban who can play both second base and shortstop to a 4-year, $8 million dollar contract. It as an interesting signing as rookie and former Hammons Field resident Kolten Wong has settled in at second and Jhonny Peralta just inked a four-year deal with the Redbirds.

 

 

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Jorge Bonifacio – Outfielder – Northwest Arkansas Naturals

The No. 4 prospect of the Kansas City Royals sprays the ball all over the field and hit .301 in a short stint with the Naturals last season. Many believe his swift progress is the reason Kansas City felt comfortable dealing Wil Myers last year to Tampa Bay. Right-handed starter Kyle Zimmer, the Royals No. 1 prospect will join the Naturals after a stint in extended spring training in late May.

 

 

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Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler – Pitchers – Tulsa Drillers

These two rocket arms are the No. 1 and 2 prospects for the Colorado Rockies and will give the Drillers as dynamic a one – two punch at the top of a rotation as I can remember to begin a season. Gray’s fastball reaches 100 mph and is above average in every pitching category including a nasty slider. Butler played in three different leagues last year finally ending the campaign in Tulsa where he posted a 0.65 ERA in six starts. Both hurlers were sent down on March 15 and both could be in the Rox rotation by seasons end.

 

 

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Rougned Odor – Second Base – Frisco RoughRiders

It seems as though the prospect gusher that is the Texas Rangers will never go dry. Rougned Odor will begin the season at second base for Frisco and is the No. 1 prospect for Texas. In 134 at bats last season for the RoughRiders, Odor hot .306 and slugged 6 home runs. Offense has never been a problem – Profar and Andrus blocking his way to the bigs might be.

 

 

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Addison Russell – Shortstop – Midland Rockhounds

Russell is MLB.com’s No. 12 overall prospect. in his first full season, the 24th overall pick in last seasons draft posted a .377 on-base percentage with 17 homers and 21 stolen bases. This 20-year old has excitement written all over him.

 

 

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Austin Hedges – Catcher – San Antonio Missions

Baseball America has tabbed the talented backstop as the Padres No. 1 prospect. Hedges returns to the Missions in 2014 after a short stint in San Antonio last season after dominating the Cal League. The California native is equal parts hitter and cannon-armed catcher.

 

 

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Michael G. Foltynewicz – Pitcher – Corpus Christi Hooks

The No. 4 Astros prospect (Baseball America)went 5-3 in 16 starts for the Hooks in 2013 and sported a minuscule 2.87 ERA. The 6-4 right-hander fanned 95 but also gave 52 free passes. Control issues make his final position – starting pitcher or reliever a question mark. We can revisit the Hooks later in the summer when righty Mark Appel and shortstop Carlos Correa (Astros No. 1 prospect) come to the Mission City.

Dave Barr (@daveabarr)

 

2014 Season Preview Series – Tweet At Me

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The great part about summers at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark is the interaction that fans get with the Travs players. One way to do that is to follow them on twitter. Here’s your Travelers twitter list to begin the 2014 season.

1B – Michael Snyder (@Mike29Snyder)

2B – Alex Yarbrough (@yarbs2)

SS – Eric Stamets (@EZDoesit8)

3B – Kaleb Cowart (@KalebCowart)

INF – Jimmy Swift (@jswifty1203)

OF – Andy Workman (@Andy_Workman)

LHP Michael Roth (@mtRoth29)

LHP Kramer Sneed (@KSneed23)

RHP Mark Sappington (@sappDIESEL)

RHP – R.J. Alvarez (@RjAlvarez18)

RHP -Mike Morin (@MrMoosh28)

RHP – Kevin Johnson (@KJ_Johnson18)

Travs Play by Play voice Phil Elson (@ElsonPhil)

Travs Talk Blogger Dave Barr (@daveabarr)

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2014 Season Preview Series – Arkansas Travelers Unveil Roster

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The 2014 edition of the Travelers will begin the season with five of the Los Angeles Angels top 10 prospects according to Baseball America. Starting pitching and a talented infield will be the Arkansas calling card to begin the season.

 

Mike Morin

Mike Morin

Pitchers                                    Traveler Tidbit                                          

RJ Alvarez                                  Many believe Alvarez isn’t far from a big league bullpen with a 93-99 mph fastball.

Orangel Arenas                       Arenas returns to the Travs where in 2011-12 he posted a 14-21 record.

Yeiper Castillo                          The free agent signee from Venezuela appeared in 29-games last season fanning 80.

Ryan Chaffee                           Chaffee saw action in 47-games for the Travs last year sporting a 2.92 ERA.

Carmine Giardina                  The New York native struck out 33 while only walking 13 last season between the 66ers and Travs.

Kevin Johnson                        Johnson has saved 29-games for the Travs in the last two seasons.

Mike Morin                              Morin was the Halos Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2013.

Michael Roth                          The only member of the Travelers to open the season who is on the Angels 40-man roster.

Drew Rucinski                       In five starts and 29-innings for the 66ers last year – The Oklahoma native was 2-2 with a 1.86 ERA.

Eduard Santos                       The physically gifted Santos makes his Double-A debut this season.

Mark Sappington                 The No. 5 Angels prospect fanned 136-batters and won 12 games last year between 66ers and Travs.

Brandon Sisk                         Sisk is no stranger to DSP as he was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2010-11.

Kramer Sneed                       Acquired from the Yankees as part of the Vernon Wells trade.

 

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Jett Bandy

Catchers

Jett Bandy                            Bandy returns to Arkansas after being tabbed a Texas league Mi-Season All Star in 2013

Anderson De La Rosa       De la Rosa caught 69-games for Triple-A Nashville (Brewers) last year

 

Eric Stamets

Eric Stamets

Infielders

Kaleb Cowart (3B)            An important year for the No. 3 prospect after hitting .221 last season with the Travelers.

Shawn O’Malley (SS)      Swiped 24 bags last season fo rthe Montgomery Biscuits (Rays Double-A).

Michael Snyder (1B)        A breakout 2013 saw Snyder slam 25 home runs and drive in 92 for Inland Empire.

Eric Stamets (SS)              190 total bases for the speedster from Ohio last year with Single-A Inland Empire. One to watch.

Jimmy Swift (SS)             Third consecutive year that Swift has worn a Travelers jersey.

Alex Yarbrough (2B)       Hit .313 and drove in 80 runs for the 66ers last year. Great DP combo with Stamets.

 

Zach Borenstein

Zach Borenstein

Outfielders

Zach Borenstein            The Angels Minor League PLayer of the Year after a monster 2013 for inland Empire.

Drew Heid                       Heid is a career .305 hitter after three professional campaigns.

Kyle Hudson                   Hudson has swiped 30 or more bases in four of his six pro seasons.

Andy Workman            Cal League Championship Series MVP for Inland Empire in 2013.