Features

The Smokies on Radio staff has both locker rooms covered during the 2013 season. On this page, you will find feature articles on the top players around the Southern League with audio interviews attached.

Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs)

August 18 – Chad Noble – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Noble looks to settle back in with the Smokies

August 13 – Jonathan Mota – Written by: Nick Roark – Jonathan Mota proving valuable in versatile role for Smokies

August 12 – Smokies Lineup – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Offense hot, bullpen not for Smokies

August 10 – Rafael Lopez – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Jokisch’s no-hitter a night Rafael Lopez will remember

August 9 – Eric Jokisch – Written by: Nick Roark – 27 outs to glory: Eric Jokisch’s moment in the Sun

August 8 – John Andreoli – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Hertiage helped John Andreoli develop into a well-rounded athlete

August 6 – Rubi Silva – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Rubi Silva seeking more balanced approach at the plate

August 5 – Matt Loosen – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Improved command key for Matt Loosen’s return to Smokies

August 4 – Javier Baez – Written by: Nick Roark – Javier Baez showing signs of patience, maturity at plate

August 3 – Dallas Beeler – Written by: Nick Roark – Dallas Beeler on injury: “We’re making progress”

August 2 – Kyle Hendricks – Written by: Nick Roark – Kyle Hendricks with Mesa; promotion to Triple-A Iowa expected

August 1 – Brett Jackson – Written by: Nick Roark – Brett Jackson “excited” to begin climb back towards Chicago

July 31 – Justin Bour – Written by: Nick Roark – Adjustments at plate paying dividends for Justin Bour

July 29 – Smokies lineup – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Offensive explosion helps Smokies explosion

July 27 – Matt Szczur and Justin Bour – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Szczur, Bour work on batting approaches with Wilson

July 26 – Arismendy Alcantara – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Desi Wilson on Arismendy Alcantara: ‘He has all the tools in the world’

July 25 – Javier Baez – Written by: Nick Roark – Smokies hitting Desi Wilson sees improvement in Javier Baez

July 24 – Position Player All-Stars – Written by: Nick Roark – Smokies react to All-Star festivities in Jacksonville

July 23 – John Andreoli and Mike Olt – Written by: Nick Roark – Former Huskies John Andreoli and Mike Olt reunited with Cubs

July 22 – Smokies Bullpen – Written by: Nick Roark – Tennessee bullpen showing improvement in July 

July 21 – Kyle Hendricks – Written by: Nick Roark – Hendricks reflects on All-Star experience

July 16 – All-Star Players – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Smokies headline North Division All-Star team

July 14 – Arismendy Alcantara – Written by: Nick Roark – Arismendy Alcantara lauches home run in All-Star Futures game

July 9 – Kyle Hendricks – Written by: Nick Roark – Kyle Hendricks named North Division starting pitcher

July 7 – Justin Bour – Written by: Nick Roark – Justin Bour gained newfound love while injured

June 26 – Arismendy Alcantara – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Arismendy Alcantara honored to be in 2013 Futures Game

June 15 – Christian Villanueva – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Christian Villanueva brings a new meaning to the term “selling”

June 10 – Rafael Lopez – Written by: Danny Will – Lopez adjusting to life behind the plate

May 30- Fergie Jenkins – Written by: Danny Will – Cubs’ legend Fergie Jenkins recalls his early playing career

May 10 – Alex Suarez – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Baseball itch leads Suarez to Cubs front office

May 4 – Desi Wilson – Written by: Nick Roark – Wilson preaching approach to Smokies lineup

May 3 – Desi Wilson – Written by: Nick Roark – Double-A Manager Wotus shaped Wilson as player, coach

May 2 – Desi Wilson – Written by Nick Roark – Hitting coach Desi Wilson still pursuing his first love

April 18 – Jonathan Mota – Written by: Nick Roark – Mota’s elbow feeling fine after last year’s injury

April 13 – Kyle Hendricks – Written by: Nick Roark – Hendricks looking to settle in during first double-A season

April 12 – Eric Jokisch – Written by: Nick Roark – Jokisch continues climb toward success with Fassero

Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox)

August 1 – Scott Snodgress – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Scott Snodgress strives to continue success for Cardinal athletes

July 30 – Brandon Jacobs – Written by: Nick Roark – Brandon Jacobs making his own name in White Sox organization

June 1 – Erik Johnson– Written by: Danny Will – Birmingham’s Johnson on fast track through minor leagues

June 1 – Jared Mitchell – Written by: Danny Will – Two-sport athlete Mitchell has tasted championship success

May 31- Trayce Thompson– Written by: Michael Wottreng – Trayce Thompson: the baseball player in a basketball family

May 31- Trayce Thompson– Written by: Michael Wottreng- Thompson’s big league relationships date back to childhood

May 11 – Tyler Saladino – Written by: Nick Roark – Saladino ‘most focused’ he has ever been

Chattanooga Lookouts (Los Angeles Dodgers)

August 15 – Zach Lee – Written by: Danny Will – Lookouts starter Zach Lee happy he chose Dodgers over SEC football

August 14 – Chris Reed – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Chris Reed’s baseball career sending him around the world

April 14 – Joc Pederson – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Joc Pederson: the ‘other’ talented outfielder for the Lookouts

April 14 – Yasiel Puig – Written by: Jonathan Reed – Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig focused on adjusting to new culture

Huntsville Stars (Milwaukee Brewers)

May 27 – Jimmy Nelson – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Stars’ pitcher Jimmy Nelson making improvements on his game

May 26 – Rene Tosoni – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Rene Tosoni hopes his impressive resume continues to grow

Jackson Generals (Seattle Mariners)

July 14 – James Jones – Written by: Nick Roark – All roads lead to Brooklyn for James Jones

June 27 – Chance Ruffin – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Former big leaguer Chance Ruffin making strides as starting pitcher

June 6 – Denny Almonte – Written by: Nick Roark – Almonte adjusting at plate, taming center field

June 5 – Taijuan Walker – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Elite hurler Taijuan Walker striving to exceed expectations

Jacksonville Suns (Miami Marlins)

July 20 – Christian Yelich – Written by: Nick Roark – Christian Yelich a budding star for Suns

July 21 – Jake Marisnick – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Jake Marisnick leaves Smokies Park, heads to the Majors

Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves)

June 19 – Cody Martin – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Being a Brave is a tradition for the Martin family

June 17 – Christian Bethancourt – Written by: Nick Roark – Braves’ backstop Bethancourt bouncing back

May 5 – J.R. Graham – Written by: Nick Roark – Graham emulating idol with Double-A Braves

Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)

August 11 – Ryan Brett – Written by: Nick Roark – Ryan Brett back on track with Biscuits

April 24 – Mikie Mahtook – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Biscuits outfielder Mikie Mahtook continues to make strides

April 22 – Kevin Kiermaier – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Championships and defense jump-started Kevin Kiermaier’s career

Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds)

April 30 – Ryan LaMarre – Written by: Matthew Osborne – Ryan LaMarre: the next in line in Pensacola

April 29 – Loek Van Mil – Written by: Nick Roark – Hit ball to baseball: Van Mil’s journey from Netherlands to Pensacola

April 28 – Donald Lutz – Written by: Michael Wottreng – From Smokies Park visiting clubhouse to the show

April 27 – Tucker Barnhart – Written by: Michael Wottreng – Tucker Barnhart: one of minor league baseball’s top signal callers