Category Archives: Smokies on the Move

by | August 25, 2012 · 4:10 pm

Claire Donahue visits the Smokies Radio Network

Claire Donahue with Cody Chrusciel and Roger Hoover on August 25, 2012. Photo Courtesy: Adam Kline.

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Smokies Radio Network welcomed a special guest on Friday night as Olympian and 2012 gold medal-winning swimmer Claire Donahue joined the broadcast.

Donahue, a Lenoir City, Tenn. resident, was a member of the 2012 USA Women’s Swimming Team in the London Olympics earlier this month.  She competed in two events in the 2012 summer games; the 100-meter butterfly, where she finished seventh and she earned a gold medal for swimming in the preliminary heats of the 4×100-meter medley relay.

Donahue now has two gold medals in the 4×100 medley relay, as she claimed a gold medal in the event at the 2011 Pan American Game in Quadalajara, Mexico.

A 2007 graduate from Lenoir City High School, Donahue was a four-year letter winner and two-time All-American before attending Western Kentucky University, where she set school records in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly events.

Click the link below to listen to Claire’s interview with Cody Chrusciel and Roger Hoover on the Smokies Radio Network.

Claire Donahue Interview August 25, 2012

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by | January 27, 2012 · 11:33 am

Smokies on the Move: Tyler Colvin

Tyler Colvin with the Smokies in 2009. Photo Courtesy: Tony Farlow/MiLB.com

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Many things have changed for the Chicago Cubs this offseason,  as new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer put their touches on the Cubs roster and farm system. Many Cubs have changed organizations over the winter, including several former Tennessee Smokies. This week, the Smokies Radio Network will profile five notable former Smokies who will play for new organizations in 2012.  We’ll take a look at what’s new for these players, as well as reflect on their time at Smokies Park.

Tyler Colvin

For our final installment with “Smokies on the Move,” we take a look at a player that began playing for Tennessee during the first year of the Cubs partnership in 2007.

A first round draft pick (13th overall) for the Cubs in 2006, outfielder Tyler Colvin played in parts of three seasons for the Smokies before getting called up to the big leagues in 2009.

Last December, Colvin along with D.J. LeMahieu (profiled in yesterday’s Smokies on the Move) were traded to the Colorado Rockies for third baseman Ian Stewart and pitcher Casey Weathers.

Colvin’s trade to Colorado fell on the heels of a disappointing 2011season.  Colvin split the year between Chicago and Iowa as he got off to a slow start in the majors after spring training. The right fielder was hitting .113 with a pair of homers in his first 62 at-bats of the season, and was transferred from the Cubs to Triple-A Iowa on May 17.

He would go up-and-down between Chicago and Iowa for the next few weeks before returning to the Cubs for good in late July following the trade of Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians. With Iowa, Colvin hit seven homers while posting a .256 batting average in 50 games.

Colvin finished the season hitting .150 with the Cubs, knocking out six homers and driving in 20 runs during 206 at-bats.

Colvin with the Cubs in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The tough year for Colvin comes after a shining rookie year for the Cubs in 2010. Colvin blasted 20 homers, second among rookies during the year, while hitting .254 and driving in 56 runs. Colvin’s strong hitting was a bright spot during a disappointing 2010 season for Cubs fans, who took to Twitter with the hashtag: #tylermania after his blasts and big hits.

However Colvin’s exciting 2010 season came to an abrupt end in Miami on Sept. 20 when he a broken bat struck him in the chest, puncturing his skin causing him to miss the rest of the year.

2009 was the final year that Colvin spent in a Tennessee uniform, playing in 84 games where he hit .300 with 14 homers and 50 RBI for Ryne Sandberg’s Smokies.

Colvin had a strong August for Tennessee, hitting .379 with 22 RBI, helping the Smokies chase down a Second Half North Division title. Colvin’s August earned him Topps Player of the Month honors.

Here is an interview with Colvin in September 2009 after his strong month of August and with Tennessee on the cusp of a division championship, as well as Darren Headrick’s season in review that featured highlights from Colvin’s 2009 season.

Tyler Colvin Interview September 4, 2009

2009 Smokies Review – Darren Headrick

Tyler Colvin with Tennessee in 2009. Photo Courtesy: Scott Jontes/MiLB.com

Following Tennessee’s Southern League playoff run, Colvin was promoted to the major leagues and made his Cubs debut on September 21.

Colvin got off to a slow start in 2009 because his recovery from “Tommy John” surgery on his left elbow in November 2008. The surgery followed a 2008 season that Colvin spent the entirety of in Tennessee, hitting .256 with 14 homers and 80 RBI in a career-high 137 games.

Just over a year after being drafted by the Cubs, Colvin made his Double-A debut in 2007 and would play in 62 games for the Smokies. Colvin hit .291 with 31 RBI and nine homers during the year, as the Smokies won the North Division Wild Card.

The Smokies, led that season by manager Pat Listach, fell in a hard-fought North Division Championship Series in five games to the Huntsville Stars.

The Cubs selected Colvin with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2006 draft out of Clemson University, where he starred for three seasons and led the Tigers to the College World Series in 2006.

Colvin with former Smokies teammate Starlin Castro with the Cubs in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America

What the Move Means for Colvin: After a rough 2011 season, the trade to Colorado provides a change of scenery and a fresh start for Colvin.

The writing was on the wall for Colvin’s situation after the Cubs signed outfielder David DeJesus a week before the Rockies trade.

Colvin’s new home is Coors Field, known for big homers and power hitting due to the high altitude in Denver. The Rockies are hoping this helps the left-handed batter get back on track after a tough year in 2011.

While the Rockies already have established outfielders in Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, and Michael Cuddyer, Colvin will compete for the fourth outfielder spot on the roster in spring training. Colvin will face competition with Charlie Blackmon, a fellow left-handed batter that played in 27 games for Colorado a year ago, hitting .255.

Colvin and the other former Smoky in the deal, D.J. LeMahieu will likely be teammates again next season, either in Triple-A or on the big league Rockies roster.

“Both players will be given an opportunity to compete for spots on our 25-man roster,” said Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd following the trade.

Cubs right fielder David DeJesus with the Oakland A's in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America

What the Move Means for the Cubs: Colvin became expendable for the Cubs following the late November signing of right fielder David DeJesus. The 32 year-old is a veteran of nine big league seasons, the first eight spent with the Kansas City Royals.

After a strong 2010 season where he hit .318 for the Royals, DeJesus’ average slipped to .240 in 2011 with the Oakland Athletics.

The free-agent signing was the first for the new Cubs front office team of President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer, inking the right fielder to a two-year, $10 million contrac.t

“He does a lot of things very well,” Hoyer said to the Chicago Tribune. “He makes contact and gets on base. He doesn’t have a lot of home run power, he does have a lot of doubles power. He can hit all over the lineup.”

We certainly hope you have enjoyed this week’s Smokies on the Move series profiling former Smokies: Andrew Cashner, Marwin Gonzalez, Ryan Flaherty, D.J. LeMahieu, and Tyler Colvin. Please check back with smokiesonradio.com in the coming weeks as we start to shift our focus to the upcoming 2012 season of Smokies baseball.

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by | January 26, 2012 · 11:10 am

Smokies on the Move: D.J. LeMahieu

D.J. LeMahieu at third base for the Smokies in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Many things have changed for the Chicago Cubs this offseason,  as new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer put their touches on the Cubs roster and farm system. Many Cubs have changed organizations over the winter, including several former Tennessee Smokies. This week, the Smokies Radio Network will profile five notable former Smokies who will play for new organizations in 2012.  We’ll take a look at what’s new for these players, as well as reflect on their time at Smokies Park.

D.J. LeMahieu

Earlier in the week we examined one of the more high profile Cubs trades of the offseason in the deal that sent Andrew Cashner to San Diego in exchange for first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Today’s post also deals with a Cubs trade this season that involved two former Smokies.

On Dec. 8, 2011, the final day of the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, Tex., the Cubs traded outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder D.J. LeMahieu to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Casey Weathers and third baseman Ian Stewart.

In the deal, the Cubs parted ways with Colvin and LeMahieu, players that spent time in Tennessee and Chicago over the past several years. Today’s post focuses on LeMahieu, while tomorrow we will examine Colvin’s new situation in Colorado.

2011 was a banner year for LeMahieu, as made his major league debut with the Cubs and performed at an elite level in the minors. Ranked by Baseball America as the 11th-best prospect in the Cubs organization entering the year, LeMahieu began the season as the Opening Day starter at second base for Tennessee.

LeMahieu in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

LeMahieu went on to post some of the best numbers of his career in the first 50 games of the season with the Smokies. Splitting time at second and third base, LeMahieu hit .358 (67-187) which led the Southern League at the time of his promotion to the big leagues on May 30.

In addition to his high batting average, LeMahieu hit a pair of homers and drove in 27 runs while helping Tennessee gain a commanding lead in the standings en route to a First Half North Division Championship.

LeMahieu’s call-up to the big leagues coincided with the Cubs placing second baseman Jeff Baker on the disabled list. While he was hitless in his first two big league at-bats at Wrigley Field, LeMahieu recorded his first major league hit on June 3 in St. Louis at Busch Stadium.

LeMahieu spent most of June with the Cubs, where in 23 games he hit .243 with an RBI that he collected in a 3-4 performance against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field on June 15.

On June 28, LeMahieu was transferred to Triple-A Iowa where he spent the remainder of the minor league season. With the I-Cubs he hit .286 with three homers and 23 RBI during 53 games. In 108 minor league games with Tennessee and Iowa, LeMahieu hit .318 with five homers and 50 RBI.

LeMahieu with the Cubs in June 2011. Photo Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America

When the rosters expanded for the Cubs in September, LeMahieu was one of several players called up to finish the year in Chicago. In his second stint with the Cubs, LeMahieu performed better at the plate, hitting .261 as he drove in three runs in 14 games and six starts. In all, LeMahieu hit .250 with four RBI during his 37 games with the Cubs in 2011.

2010 also marked a year of success for LeMahieu, hitting .314 for the Daytona Cubs as he was named to the Florida State League All-Star Team. LeMahieu received his first promotion to Double-A Tennessee on September 9, joining the Smokies for the Southern League playoffs.

LeMahieu went hitless in two at-bats during the playoffs as Tennessee defeated West Tenn in the North Division Championship Series before falling to Jacksonville in four games in the Southern League Championship Series.

LeMahieu’s professional career began in 2009 after being selected by the Cubs in the second round of the draft out of Louisiana State University. LeMahieu’s leadership guided LSU to the 2009 National Championship, and he was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team.

LeMahieu with the Cubs in June 2011. Photo Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America

What the Move Means for LeMahieu: As stated in yesterday’s post on infielder Ryan Flaherty, the Cubs have strong stable of middle infielders, blocking LeMahieu’s path to an everyday role with the Cubs in 2012.

The trade gives LeMahieu a change of scenery with the Rockies in a ballpark that is very hitter friendly due to the high altitude. Colorado has had a busy offseason, and acquired more middle infield help on January 21 in a trade with the Boston Red Sox that sent Marco Scutaro to the Rockies.

Scutaro, who hit .299 with the Red Sox last season, will likely be the Opening Day starter for the Rockies at second base to begin the season. The Rockies have established starters across the infield in Todd Helton at first, Scutaro at second, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Casey Blake at third. LeMahieu is on Colorado’s 40-man roster and will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the Rockies’ bench in spring training.

Ian Stewart with the Colorado Rockies in 2009. Photo Courtesy: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

What the Move Means for the Cubs: While the Cubs have several options at second base entering 2012, a key concern of the offseason was finding a solution at third base.

It was well known at the end of the 2011 season that the Cubs would be parting ways with Aramis Ramirez, who had started at third base for Chicago since 2003.

The trade with the Rockies delivered the Cubs their third baseman for 2012 in Ian Stewart, who is looking to get his career back on track after a rough season a year ago.

Stewart is a career .236 hitter who has hit 54 homers with 187 RBI since his major league debut with Colorado in 2007.  He was drafted out of high school in 2003 in the first round with the tenth overall pick.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer believes Stewart is just entering into his prime, and can help Chicago for years to come.

“We feel there’s a ton of potential in there,”  Hoyer told the Chicago Tribune in December. “He provides us with a left-handed bat at third base, he’s the right age, he’s affordable. We expect big things out of Ian.”

Be sure to check back tomorrow for this week’s final installment of Smokies on the Move as we profile outfielder Tyler Colvin, and also check out earlier features on Andrew Cashner, Marwin Gonzalez, and Ryan Flaherty.

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by | January 25, 2012 · 11:34 am

Smokies on the Move: Ryan Flaherty

Ryan Flaherty with the Smokies in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Many things have changed for the Chicago Cubs this offseason,  as new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer put their touches on the Cubs roster and farm system. Many Cubs have changed organizations over the winter, including several former Tennessee Smokies. This week, the Smokies Radio Network will profile five notable former Smokies who will play for new organizations in 2012.  We’ll take a look at what’s new for these players, as well as reflect on their time at Smokies Park.

Ryan Flaherty

In yesterday’s post we looked at Marwin Gonzalez’s new situation after he was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft then traded to the Houston Astros. Today we look at another former Smokies infielder that was selected in last December’s Rule 5 draft, Ryan Flaherty.

Flaherty, a left-handed hitting versatile infielder, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles from the Cubs with the fourth overall pick in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 8,2011.

For Flaherty this is the second time in his career that he has been a high-profile draft pick, as he was a first round sandwich round selection (41st overall) by the Cubs out of Vanderbilt University in 2008.

Flaherty is coming off a solid 2011 season that he split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. The infielder hit .280 between the clubs with 19 homers and 88 runs batted in in 132 games.

Flaherty in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

While he only hit .237 with Iowa in 2011, Flaherty shined while wearing the Smokies uniform to begin the season. In 83 games with Tennessee, Flaherty hit .305 with 14 homers and 66 runs batted in. Flaherty played all over the infield and outfield with the Smokies, seeing the most action at second base where he played in 37 games for manager Brian Harper.

Flaherty’s play helped Tennessee clinch a first half North Division championship, the fourth straight division title for the Smokies. The Southern League recognized Flaherty’s stellar play with a selection to the Southern League North Division All-Star team. Flaherty was one of 12 Smokies named to the All-Star squad, as the North Division defeated the South Division in the All-Star Game 6-3 on June 22, 2011 in Jackson, Tenn.

Flaherty’s time in Tennessee came to an end on July 14 when he was called up to Triple-A Iowa. Between Iowa and Tennessee, Flaherty managed to play every infield position and both corner outfield positions to further build his versatility.

The native of Portland, Maine entered the 2010 season as the ninth best prospect according to Baseball America, and in just his third professional season he began the year at the Double-A level with the Smokies.

Flaherty was the Opening Day starter at second base for Bill Dancy’s 2010 Smokies, and went onto play in 23 games for Tennessee before he was transferred to High-A Daytona on May 7.

Although he hit .183 with nine runs batted in during his 71 Tennessee at-bats, Flaherty made headlines with his first Double-A homer on April 18.

The Smokies were off to a 7-2 start to begin the season and had won three of the first four against Chattanooga in the first home series of the year at Smokies Park. With the Lookouts leading 5-4 going into the bottom of the tenth, Flaherty smashed a two-run walkoff homer to deliver Tennessee the victory to finish the series.

Broadcaster Jim Tocco was filling in for Mick Gillispie on the Smokies Radio Network that afternoon, and here is his call of Flaherty’s walkoff blast.

Ryan Flaherty Walkoff Homer 4-18-10

Flaherty at Vanderbilt in 2008. Photo Courtesy: Portland Press Herald

While Flaherty performed well at Smokies Park, his best playing days in the Volunteer state were likely spent down the road in Nashville where he starred for Vanderbilt University where in two seasons he was twice named an All-American and helped the Commodores win the 2007 SEC Championship.

Flaherty now makes his offseason home in Tennessee in Franklin.

What the Move Means for Flaherty: Like Gonzalez, Flaherty now has the Rule 5 protection to help him get his first shot at performing in the big leagues with the Orioles.

“I’m just going to make sure I come into camp ready to go, and whatever happens happen,” Flaherty told MASNsports.com. “I can’t control the rest. Just come into camp ready to go.”

While Flaherty is a part of the Orioles 40-man roster, Baltimore features many infielders with big league playing experience including Brian Roberts, Robert Andino, J.J. Hardy, Josh Bell, Matt Antonelli, Chris Davis, Ryan Adams, and Mark Reynolds.

Flaherty’s versatility should give him a shot to see playing time in Baltimore in 2012 as a reserve infielder that can play all over the diamond.

“Ryan is a high draft pick from an excellent college program, and we really like his bat,” Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette told the Baltimore Sun. “He has a reasonable chance to contribute at the major league level this season.”

Flaherty with the Smokies in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

What the Move Means for the Cubs: One of the strengths for the Cubs heading into 2012 is all the talent at the middle infield positions. Former Smoky Starlin Castro is expected to anchor the shortstop position for years to come, and was an All-Star in 2011 who led the National League in hits.

At second base, the Cubs feature three players who have performed at the big league level before in former Smoky Darwin Barney, Blake DeWitt, and Jeff Baker, all returning from the 2011 club.

The Cubs will start Bryan LaHair at first base to begin the season, and will also feature Ian Stewart at third base. Stewart was traded to the Cubs from the Rockies in December.

While Smokies fans will miss having Flaherty, Gonzalez, as well as D.J. LeMahieu in the Cubs organization, there is still good depth in the organization at the middle infield spots, and it will be interesting to see how these players adjust to new situations for 2012.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Smokies on the Move as we profile infielder D.J. LeMahieu, and also check out earlier features on Andrew Cashner and Marwin Gonzalez.

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by | January 24, 2012 · 9:43 am

Smokies on the Move: Marwin Gonzalez

Marwin Gonzalez with the Smokies in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Many things have changed for the Chicago Cubs this offseason,  as new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer put their touches on the Cubs roster and farm system. Many Cubs have changed organizations over the winter, including several former Tennessee Smokies. This week, the Smokies Radio Network will profile five notable former Smokies who will play for new organizations in 2012.  We’ll take a look at what’s new for these players, as well as reflect on their time at Smokies Park.

Marwin Gonzalez

Dec. 8, 2011 marked a day of change for several players across baseball, yet infielder Marwin Gonzalez will remember it as a day he was a part of three different major league organizations.

After completing his sixth season in the Chicago Cubs system, Gonzalez was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft in December. Yet Gonzalez’s time with Boston was short-lived as he was traded by the Red Sox to the Houston Astros hours later to finish off a whirlwind of a day for the Venezuela native.

Gonzalez’s Rule 5 selection means that he will have to spend the entire 2012 season on the 40-man Astros roster or offered back to the Cubs, his original organization.

This provides Gonzalez his best chance to make a major league roster since he started playing professionally with the Cubs in 2006. Gonzalez spent the first four seasons of his Cubs career playing at the rookie or A ball affiliates before he received a call-up from High-A Daytona to Double-A Tennessee on May 7, 2010.

Gonzalez in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

Gonzalez’s promotion was a corresponding move by the Cubs due to the major league call-up of then Smokies shortstop Starlin Castro, who has remained with Chicago since his MLB debut.

Replacing Castro was a tall order for Gonzalez, yet he posted a .339 batting average for the month of July and finished the season hitting .246  as the everyday shortstop for one of the most successful Smokies teams in franchise history.

Gonzalez began the 2011 season with the Smokies and became one of the most consistent hitting middle infielders in the Southern League. In 64 games with Tennessee, Gonzalez hit .301 with two homers and 20 runs batted in. In addition to his hitting, Gonzalez was more versatile in the Smokies infield, playing in 15 games at second base.

Gonzalez’s strong play with the Smokies earned him Southern League All-Star honors before he was promoted to Triple-A Iowa on June 26. Gonzalez got off to a hot start with Iowa, hitting .465 in his first 13 games with the I-Cubs. He finished the season hitting .274 with Iowa in 60 games, giving him a combined average between Tennessee and Iowa of .288 along with four homers and 39 RBI.

Here is an interview with Gonzalez during the 2010 season as he visited with Roger Hoover on the Smokies Radio Network:

Marwin Gonzalez Interview August 22, 2010

Gonzalez at shorstop with Tennessee in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

What the Move Means for Gonzalez: Gonzalez now has his best shot at becoming a major leaguer with the Rule 5 draft protection.  In addition to Gonzalez, Houston carries two other shortstops on the 40-man roster in Jed Lowrie and Angel Sanchez.

Both Lowrie and Sanchez have major league experience, with Lowrie having been in the big leagues since 2008. Lowrie played in parts of four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, and will likely be the starter at shortstop for Houston to begin 2012.

The Astros front office appears ready to give Gonzalez a chance to make the major league roster, and has complimented his defensive ability.

“Gonzalez has above-average defensive skills,” said Astros assistant general manager Dave Gottfried to MLB.com. “He’s a switch-hitter, will play the season at 23 years old and is having a real solid season in winter ball.”

“If you’re a young shortstop in the Cubs organization, you’re a little out of luck because they have a very good shortstop who probably going to be there for a long time to come,” added new Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow. “We’ll give him a chance to maybe make the team as a utility guy or an infielder.”

2011 Smokies shortstop Junior Lake. Lake enters the 2012 season as the Cubs no. 8 prospect according to Baseball America. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

What the Move Means for the Cubs: As mentioned before, the Cubs have a young established star in Castro that is expected to anchor the shortstop position for years to come in Chicago.

Chicago’s faith in Castro was cemented last offseason when prized shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee was sent to Tampa Bay in the Matt Garza deal. The Cubs are losing some home-grown infield depth this offseason, losing Gonzalez along with Ryan Flaherty to the Orioles and D.J. LeMahieu who is now with the Rockies.

The Cubs do have young shortstop talent in Junior Lake, who spent most of 2011 with the Smokies and enters this season listed by Baseball America as Chicago’s no. 8 prospect.

Chicago also drafted a shortstop with its first pick in the 2011 draft, selecting Javier Baez out of high school with the ninth overall pick. Baseball America rated Baez as the best pure high school hitter in the draft, and he played in five games in the organization after signing in mid-August.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Smokies on the Move as we profile infielder Ryan Flaherty, and also check out Monday’s feature on Andrew Cashner.

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by | January 23, 2012 · 9:41 am

Smokies on the Move: Andrew Cashner

Cashner making a rehab appearace with Tennessee in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Many things have changed for the Chicago Cubs this offseason,  as new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer put their touches on the Cubs roster and farm system. Many Cubs have changed organizations over the winter, including several former Tennessee Smokies. This week, the Smokies Radio Network will profile five notable former Smokies who will play for new organizations in 2012.  We’ll take a look at what’s new for these players, as well as reflect on their time at Smokies Park.

Andrew Cashner

One of the higher profile trades for the Cubs this offseason involved one of the top pitchers in recent Smokies history. On January 6, the Cubs traded right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na to the San Diego Padres for first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-handed pitcher Zach Cates.

This will be the first time Cashner has changed organizations after being drafted by the Cubs in the first round (19th overall) in 2008 out of Texas Christian University.

Cashner is coming off an injury plagued 2011 season after he strained his right rotator cuff during his first start last April. Cashner spent most of the season on the disabled list, although began his march back to the big leagues at Smokies Park in late August. He made three rehab starts for Tennessee, pitching two and two thirds innings while giving up two runs on three hits with five strikeouts.

Cashner’s rehab continued to Iowa where he made two appearances before rejoining the Cubs in September. He finished the season making seven appearances without a decision and posting a 1.69 ERA in 10 and two thirds innings on the mound.

In 60 big league appearances over the past two seasons, Cashner is 2-6 with a 4.29 ERA. The Texas native made his major league debut on May 31, 2010 in Pittsburgh and held opponents scoreless in 36 of his 56 appearances during the 2010 season.

Cashner in 2010 with the Smokies. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

Cashner began the 2010 season with the Smokies, serving as the ace of a solid Tennessee rotation under manager Bill Dancy and pitching coach Dennis Lewallyn. He started the season in grand style on Opening Night in Mississippi by striking out the first eight batters he faced. Cashner made six starts with the Smokies, going 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings on the mound.

2009 marked the first season for Cashner with the Smokies, earning a promotion from High-A Daytona on June 30. In twelve starts for Tennessee, Cashner went 3-4 with a 3.39 ERA in just over 58 innings of work. Cashner’s strong pitching helped Tennessee clinch the second half North Division title and he would also pitch for the Smokies in the playoffs. 2009 was a remarkable season in all for Cashner, as he went 3-4 with a 2.60 ERA for both Daytona and Tennessee. In 100 and a third innings of work, Cashner only allowed one home run and he also proved to be an effective weapon at the plate. Cashner hit safely in five of his Smokies starts from July 4 to August 3, going 5-9 during that stretch.

In total, Cashner made 21 starts for the Smokies over the past three seasons. He went 6-6 with a 3.25 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 97 innings on the mound.

Here are some interviews with Andrew Cashner that have aired over the years on the Smokies Radio Network.

Andrew Cashner Interview September 6, 2009

Andrew Cashner Interview April 15, 2010

Andrew Cashner Interview August 2011

Cashner in 2011 with the Cubs. Photo Courtesy: Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

What the Move Means for Cashner: After missing most of 2011 with injury, 2012 looks to be a bounce-back season for the right-hander.  Although he began the 2011 season in the starting rotation for the Cubs, the bullpen was his likely destination as Chicago has a surplus of starting pitching heading into this season.  Now with the Padres, it has been reported that Cashner will start the season in the San Diego bullpen, although Padres GM Josh Byrnes isn’t ready to assign him a role just yet.

“We’re going to use him as a reliever and see where that takes us,” Byrnes told the Associated Press.  “He has ability to potentially one day be a starter. He has the potential to pitch at the back end of a game so we’ll see where that goes.

“He’s 25 and he throws 100 mph on his good days,” Byrnes said. “We think this injury is non-predictive and hopefully he can be a healthy and productive pitcher for us.”

Rizzo in 2011 with San Diego. Photo Courtesy: Denis Poroy/Getty Images

What the Move Means for the Cubs: With the trade, the Cubs acquire one of their top needs for the future in first baseman prospect Anthony Rizzo. New Cubs GM Jed Hoyer as a long history with Rizzo, having drafted the first baseman in 2007 with the Boston Red Sox, and trading for him before the 2011 season while serving as GM for the Padres.

Rizzo made his major league debut with San Diego on June 9, 2011 and finished the season hitting .141 with a home run and nine RBI. Rizzo hit well in Triple-A, posting a .331 average with 26 homers and 101 runs batted in.

Rizzo is likely headed to Triple-A Iowa to start the 2012 season to gain more seasoning while the Cubs will start Bryan LaHair at first base in the big leagues.

“We believe Anthony has the potential to be a middle-of-the order run producer for the Cubs for a long time,” Hoyer told to the Associated Press. “He still has some development left, but we feel like what he’s done at age 20 at Double-A and 21 at Triple-A was remarkable. He did struggle in the big leagues a little bit last year when he came up we feel that is just an adjustment period and he has a very bright future.”

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Smokies on the Move as we profile infielder Marwin Gonzalez.

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