Monthly Archives: September 2012

by | September 30, 2012 · 4:20 pm

Cubs name Watkins, Struck as Player, Pitcher of the Year

Logan Watkins with Tennessee in 2012. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

Nick Struck with Tennessee in 2012. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Adam Kline / Tennessee Smokies

KODAK, Tenn. – Tennessee Smokies INF Logan Watkins and RHP Nick Struck were named by the Chicago Cubs this afternoon as the organization’s Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.  The duo will be honored at Wrigley Field during an on-field ceremony prior to the Cubs’ October 1 game against the Houston Astros.

Watkins hit .281 (137-for-488) with 20 doubles, 11 triples, nine home runs and 52 RBIs in 133 games for the Smokies in 2012.  He led the Southern League with 93 runs scored, was second with triples and walks (76) and was fourth with a .383 on-base percentage.  The left-handed hitter led the Smokies with 28 stolen bases (28 SB/35 ATT).

The 23-year-old recorded a .985 fielding percentage (9 E/235 TC), spending time at second base (95 games), shortstop (29 games) and center field (17 games).

Watkins hit .352 (31-for-88) in the month of June in which included a team-high 13-game hitting streak on way to earning Cubs Minor League Player of the Month honors.

The Wichita, Kan. native was drafted by the Cubs in the 21st round of the 2008 MLB draft out of Goddard (Kan.) High School.  In five professional seasons, Watkins holds a career .285 batting average (493-for-1,728) with 67 doubles, 31 triples, 15 home runs and 170 RBIs in 475 minor league games.

Struck, went 14-10 with a 3.18 ERA (55 ER/155.2 IP) in 28 games (26 starts) this year for Tennessee.  He led the Southern League in wins, ranked third with 155.2 innings pitched and fourth in ERA.  He led the Smokies with 123 strikeouts and limited opposing hitters to a .238 batting average (140 H/588 AB).

The right-handed pitcher emerged as the Smokies’ ace in 2012, limiting opponents to three or fewer runs in 20 of his 28 appearances (26 starts).

Struck, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA (8 ER/29.1 IP) in five starts in the month of June en route to being named the Cubs Pitcher of the Month for June.  In 29.1 innings, he allowed 11 runs (eight earned) on 19 hits, walking eight and striking out 23.  Struck led the Smokies to wins four consecutive starts from June 8-26, constructing a 1.90 ERA (5 ER/23.2 IP) during the run.

The Damascus, Ore. native was selected in the 39th round of the 2009 MLB draft out of Mt. Hood Community College.  In three professional seasons, Stuck is 32-27 with a 3.50 ERA (168 ER/431.2 IP) and two complete-game shutouts, including a rain-shortened five-inning no-hitter for the Peoria Chiefs on April 30, 2010.  In 84 appearances (73 starts) he has fanned 330 batters, while walking 134 in 431.2 innings pitched.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Smokies Radio Network

by | September 5, 2012 · 1:45 pm

Smokies Radio Network receives recognition from Ballpark Digest

Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Smokies Radio Network received some national recognition on Tuesday, as the website Ballpark Digest selected its 2012 Broadcaster of the Year.

Mick Gillispie and his staff were highlighted for their work during the 2012 season, and the Smokies were the only team above Class A baseball to receive recognition from Ballpark Digest. This is the second straight season for the Gillispie and the Smokies to receive this recognition.

Here is what Ballpark Digest had to say about the Smokies Radio Network:

Mick Gillispie and the entire Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) team. While many teams are scaling back their game broadcasts, the Smokies are going the other way, putting together a team that includes Gillespie, Cody Chrusciel and Roger Hoover, broadcasting over a Smokies Radio Network that reaches Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and parts of North and South Carolina. Gillespie, a very accomplished broadcaster in his own right, oversees the proceedings, as well as the team’s videos for YouTube, news postings on the smokiesradio.com website and the team’s Facebook presence. That’s a lot of content.

The Smokies Radio Network is appreciative of this recognition, and you can read the entire release including other honorable mentions and the 2012 Ballpark Digest Broadcaster of the Year here.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Smokies Radio Network

by | September 3, 2012 · 4:51 pm

Buddy Bailey supports Brandon Hyde as new Cubs Farm Director

Tennessee Smokies manager Buddy Bailey. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Prior to Tennessee’s season finale on Monday, Smokies manager Buddy Bailey voiced his support for new Chicago Cubs farm director Brandon Hyde.

“He’s a quality guy,” said Bailey. “He’s been around, he’s managed in the minor leagues, and also has been in the big leagues as a coach. He’s a guy that has been on the field which helps a lot when you are a person that’s on the field. He understands the trials and tribulations and everything that you have to do.”

Hyde was promoted to the “farm director” role of Director of Player Development last Wednesday after serving as the minor league field coordinator for the Cubs this past season. Hyde spent the previous nine seasons in the Marlins organization, where he served as a minor league manager and big league bench coach for part of the 2010 and the entire 2011 season.

“He’s real professional, well-organized, and he has all the qualifications that I’m sure he’ll do a solid job for the organization,” Bailey said. “Unfortunately Oneri (Fleita, former Cubs farm director) is gone, he’s another guy that had been in the trenches too. Now they have another guy in that situation which for on-field personell sometimes the littlest things they can relate to. They’ve seen it and can relate to all these different situations.

“I’m sure he’s going to do a good job, I’ve had a good relationship with him over the year.”

Bailey was asked prior to the game about his future with the Cubs organization, which he said was uncertain.

“Like any other business, your future always is in someone else’s hands,” said Bailey. “All you can do is go do what you think is best day in and day out. You do the best you can to prepare your players the way you feel that they should. You find out in the future if what you’ve done is in the eyes of the people who make the decisions is quality to keep you around and let you help the organization.”

To listen to the full interview with Buddy Bailey that aired prior to Monday’s game, click the link below.

Buddy Bailey Interview September 3, 2012

Leave a Comment

Filed under Smokies Radio Network

by | · 2:04 pm

Listen to 2012 Smokies Season Finale

Smokies manager Buddy Bailey. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The 2012 season of Tennessee Smokies baseball comes to an end on Monday, as the Smokies face the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Bayfront Stadium.

Pitching for the Smokies is left-hander Austin Kirk, who is 1-0 with a 3.57 ERA with Tennessee this season. Starting for the Blue Wahoos is right-hander Wirfin Obispo, who is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 2012 for Pensacola.

Fans can listen to the game on the Smokies Radio Network, with the “Voice of the Smokies” Mick Gillispie entering his sixth season as Tennessee’s Director of Broadcasting. The 2010 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year is assisted by Cody Chrusciel, Roger Hoover, Jonathan Guess, and Adam King. Chrusciel and Hoover will host the Pilot Oscar-Meyer Pregame Show beginning at 11:45 a.m. on the Smokies Radio Network.

The broadcast will be available on ESPN Radio 106.3 in Sevierville and smokiesbaseball.com and the Smokies mobile app. Click the link below to listen live.

Listen Live to the Smokies and Blue Wahoos September 3, 2012

You can also follow along with the game by following the Smokies Radio Network on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Game Preview

by | · 1:39 pm

What We’re Reading (9/3)

Luis Valbuena making a diving catch Sunday. Photo Courtesy: David Banks, Getty Images

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Tennessee Smokies won their longest game of the year, a 15-inning affair against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7-3 on Sunday night at Bayfront Stadium.

The win ensured Tennessee of a winning season in 2012, and the Smokies will finish out the season this afternoon in Pensacola.

It’s time for today’s What We’re Reading, but keep checking the blog and our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info throughout the day on tonight’s games at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

- Pensacola News Journal: Tennessee Smokies edge Pensacola Blue Wahoos in 15 innings

- Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 2

- Chicago Tribune: Outfielder Sappelt gets first start with Cubs

- Chicago Tribune: Cubs on road to 100 losses?

- Yahoo’s Big League Stew: Is it a wrap for Bobby Valentine in Boston? Owner John Henry, GM Ben Cherington meet Red Sox at Seattle

- The New York Times: Yankees Still Have the East Lead, but the Orioles Have the Momentum

- Associated Press: Pulling Strasburg Is a National Disgrace

- Huffington Post: Too Much Traffic No Excuse for Dodgers Fans

Leave a Comment

Filed under What We're Reading

by | · 1:23 pm

Lake’s Homer Powers Smokies to 15-Inning Win

Smokies shortstop Junior Lake. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Cody Chrusciel  / Smokies Radio Network

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Junior Lake’s three-run homer in the top of the 15th inning propelled the Tennessee Smokies past the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 7-3, on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in Tennessee’s longest contest of the season in terms of both time – four hours, 48 minutes – and innings.

After the Blue Wahoos plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh to even the score at three, both bullpens were dominant. Frank Batista worked 1.1 scoreless innings and stranded the go-ahead run on base in the seventh before Brian Schlitter held the Blue Wahoos off the scoreboard for three frames. Casey Harman entered in the 12th and stifled Pensacola over three innings as the game headed to the 15th.

In the top of the 15th, Logan Watkins led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, allowing Pensacola to intentionally walk Justin Bour. Lake followed by launching a three-run blast to left center to break the deadlock. The Smokies added an insurance run to extend their advantage to 7-4 when Rubi Silva tripled and scored on a ground out.

Harman (1-4) returned to the mound in the bottom of the 15th and worked around a two-out single to notch his first career Double-A win. Michael Griffin (1-1) took the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits over two innings.

The teams exchanged runs in the first inning. In the top of the frame, Matt Szczur led off the game with a single and scored when the second batter, Watkins, sliced an RBI double to the gap in left center to put Tennessee up, 1-0. However, Blue Wahoos starter Chad Rogers settled down and struck out the side to limit the damage. In the bottom of the frame, Dae-Eun Rhee struck out the first two Pensacola batters before Bryson Smith singled and scored on a Beau Mills double to right to tie the game, 1-1.

That score held until the top of the sixth. After Rogers had retired 12 straight Smokies, Jae-Hoon Ha and Bour strung together back-to-back singles with Ha coming plateward on a Lake sacrifice fly to put Tennessee up, 2-1. The Smokies extended their lead to 3-1 in the seventh when Matt Cerda led off with a single and scored on a Watkins sacrifice fly.

Rhee turned the ball over to Tony Zych in the bottom of the seventh, and the reliever struggled with his command. Billy Hamilton drew a leadoff walk but was thrown out by Mike Brenly trying to steal second. With one out and the bases empty, Josh Fellhauer singled and scored when Smith tripled to right to pull Pensacola within one, 3-2. The next batter, Mills, ripped an RBI double to tie the game, 3-3.

Both starters pitched well, but neither factored in the decision. For Tennessee, Rhee allowed one run on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings. Rogers fanned eight batters while yielding two runs on five hits over 5.2 frames.

Lake drove in a team-best four runs despite going 1-for-5. Cerda finished 3-for-7 while Watkins and Ha each collected two hits. Smith went 3-for-5 for the Blue Wahoos, who stranded 16 runners on base.

The Smokies and Blue Wahoos conclude the regular season on Monday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. ET when Tennessee sends southpaw Austin Kirk (1-0, 3.57 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Mark Serrano (7-4, 3.49 ERA) at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

LISTEN TO GAME HIGHLIGHTS: September 2, 2012 Smokies 7 Blue Wahoos 3

Leave a Comment

Filed under Game Recap

by | September 2, 2012 · 2:05 pm

Listen to the Smokies and Blue Wahoos Sunday

Today’s lineups for the fourth game of the series.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Tennessee Smokies and Pensacola Blue Wahoos will continue their series on Sunday afternoon, facing off at 3 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Yesterday Pensacola took the third game of the series 3-2 with a walkoff Bryson Smith RBI single the difference in the bottom of the ninth.

Today Tennessee sends right-hander Dae-Eun Rhee to the mound. Rhee is 9-8 with a 4.95 ERA this season for the Smokies. Starting for the Blue Wahoos is right-hander Chad Rogers, who is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA.

Fans can listen to the game on the Smokies Radio Network, with the “Voice of the Smokies” Mick Gillispie entering his sixth season as Tennessee’s Director of Broadcasting. The 2010 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year is assisted by Cody Chrusciel, Roger Hoover, Jonathan Guess, and Adam King. Chrusciel and Hoover will host the Pilot Oscar-Mayer Pregame Show beginning at 2:45 p.m. on the Smokies Radio Network.

Tonight’s broadcast will air on the Smokies Radio Network’s flagship station The Sports Animal WNML AM 990, FM 99.1 and 99.3 plus the Smokies mobile app. Click the link below to listen live online.

Listen Live to the Smokies and Blue Wahoos September 2, 2012

You can also follow along with the game by following the Smokies Radio Network on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Game Preview

by | · 1:33 pm

What We’re Reading (9/2)

Former Smoky Starlin Castro fielding a ground ball on Saturday for the Cubs. Photo Courtesy: Dennis Wierzbicki, US Presswire

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Tennessee Smokies saw their five game winning streak come to an end on Saturday, falling to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3-2.

The Smokies can still clinch a series win in the final set of the year with a victory either in today’s game or Monday’s season finale.

It’s time for today’s What We’re Reading, but keep checking the blog and our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info throughout the day on tonight’s games at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

- Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola’s bayfront stadium full on a Saturday for football

- Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Blue Wahoos aid Cincinnati Reds’ title run

- Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs Minor League Wrap: September 1

- Chicago Tribune: Giants even series with 5-2 victory over Cubs

- Chicago Tribune: DeJesus exemplary example for young Cubs

- Chicago Sun-Times: Dale Sveum says Darwin Barney has been good as gold

- CSN Chicago: Cubs doing more than playing out the stretch

- Yahoo’s Big League Stew: Brandon Inge’s ailing shoulder requires season-ending surgery

- Fox Sports: Do Cards have more magic in them?

- The New York Times: Yankees Get a Lift from the Newcomer Pearce

-  Baltimore Sun: Showalter Need No Amusement Park Rides

Leave a Comment

Filed under What We're Reading

by | · 1:19 pm

Blue Wahoos Walk Off With 3-2 Win Over Smokies

Jae-Hoon Ha. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Cody Chrusciel / Smokies Radio Network

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Bryson Smith plated Billy Hamilton with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth, pushing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos past the Tennessee Smokies, 3-2, on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The loss snaps Tennessee’s five-game winning streak.

With the game deadlocked at two in the ninth, the Smokies called on reliever Kevin Rhoderick. Rhoderick struck out the first batter of the frame but followed with back-to-back walks to Hamilton and Juan Perez. Smith then delivered an RBI single into the right field corner, allowing Hamilton to motor around from second with the winning run.

As both teams stranded multiple runners on base in each of the first two frames, the game went scoreless into the bottom of the third when Smith led off with a single and scored on a base hit by Donald Lutz to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead.

That score held until the top of the sixth, when Logan Watkins launched a two-run homer to right center to put Tennessee up, 2-1. The blast was Watkins’ ninth of the season and his third in the past four games.

With Tennessee starter Eric Jokisch out of the game in the sixth, Pensacola would even the score. Zach Rosscup entered and surrendered a pair of singles to put runners at the corners with one out. Pinch hitter Beau Mills lifted a sacrifice fly to right to plate Brodie Greene with the tying run. Later in the frame, Tucker Barnhart tried to score from third on a wild pitch but catcher Anthony Recker played a friendly carom off the backstop and flipped to Rosscup, who applied the tag at home to cut down the potential go-ahead run and end the inning.

Justin Freeman (4-7) worked 1.1 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win while Rhoderick (2-8)suffered the loss. Jokisch pitched well but did not factor in the decision for Tennessee, surrendering one run on six hits over five frames.

The Smokies and Blue Wahoos play game four of their five-game series on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET when Tennessee sends right-hander Dae-Eun Rhee (9-8, 4.95 ERA) to the mound against Pensacola righty Chad Rogers (3-1, 1.73 ERA) at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

GAME NOTES: The Smokies stranded 13 runners on base, including nine in scoring position… Despite the loss, the Smokies are still 6-2 against Pensacola in 2012… Billy Hamilton finished 0-for-3 and is now 2-for-29 against Tennessee this season; Hamilton is 0-for-12 this series.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Game Recap

by | September 1, 2012 · 5:34 pm

Listen to Smokies and Wahoos Saturday

Smokies reliever Kevin Rhoderick. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Tennessee Smokies will look to extend their winning streak to six straight on Saturday, facing the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Yesterday the Smokies picked up a 5-0 win in the second game of the series, thanks in large part to a three-run homer by Rubi Silva in the sixth inning.

Tonight Tennessee will send left-hander Eric Jokish to the mound. This season Jokisch is 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA for Tennessee. Starting for the Blue Wahoos is right-hander Drew Hayes, who is 2-3 this season with a 3.52 in 55 relief appearances.

Fans can listen to the game on the Smokies Radio Network, with the “Voice of the Smokies” Mick Gillispie entering his sixth season as Tennessee’s Director of Broadcasting. The 2010 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year is assisted by Cody Chrusciel, Roger Hoover, Jonathan Guess, and Adam King. Chrusciel and Hoover will host the Pilot Oscar-Mayer Pregame Show beginning at 7:15 p.m. on the Smokies Radio Network.

Tonight’s broadcast will air online only on smokiesbaseball.com plus the Smokies mobile app. Click the link below to listen live online.

Listen Live to the Smokies and Blue Wahoos September 1, 2012

You can also follow along with the game by following the Smokies Radio Network on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Game Preview