Smokies Radio Network

February 13th has arrived, meaning Chicago Cubs Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona has opened with pitchers and catchers reporting. The report date for Cubs position players is February 18. In total, 25 Tennessee Smokies alums will begin Major League camp with the Cubs, while 40 others have either been invited to their respective teams’ Big […]

By: Nick Roark Tennessee Smokies starting pitcher Neil Ramirez found himself a part of a unique scenario Monday evening, celebrating his new team’s North Division title just two days after arriving at Smokies Park. The 6-foot-4, right-handed throwing Ramirez found himself with a new team and new organization last week when the Virginia Beach native […]

By: Nick Roark The Chicago Cubs continued to replenish their farm system Monday afternoon after the Northsider’s traded former Tennessee Smokies pitcher Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers. Chicago received Triple-A infielder Mike Olt, Class-A right-hander C.J. Edwards, Rangers’ right-hander Justin Grimm and players to be named later in exchange for Garza. Olt, who entered […]

‘The Process’ is the story of the 2013 Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate. In episode two, the Smokies welcomed Cubs starter Matt Garza and Cubs reliever Kyuji Fujikawa to East Tennessee on rehab assignments. For current Tennessee players, it was an opportunity to learn more about becoming a big leaguer. To stay current […]

Smokies outfielder Ty Wright’s fundraising efforts for the town of Moore, Okla. has continued since the five-game series against the Huntsville Stars. Wright and the Tennessee Smokies have teamed together for an online memorabilia auction. A silent auction on the concourse of Smokies Park and a special tennis ball toss were just two of the […]

By: Adam Kline After falling in last seven games, the Tennessee Smokies used a late-inning run to defeat the Birmingham Barons Saturday night 5-4 at Smokies Park. The win, in front of 4,265 on Salute to Heroes Night, snapped a seven-game losing streak and improved their record to 16-18 on the season. Matt Szczur singled to lead […]

Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza made his second rehab appearance with the Tennessee Smokies Saturday night as the right-hander tossed a scoreless 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.  Garza threw 66 pitches in his outing, 40 of them for strikes. The Cubs righty threw his fastball between 90-94 MPH. […]

By: Nick Roark  Birmingham Barons infielder Tyler Saladino is back with the Birmingham Barons for a second season in 2013 and admits this season is the most focused he has ever been during his three full seasons of professional baseball.  Rated as the Chicago White Sox No. 26 prospect according to Baseball America, Saladino is […]

Matt Garza threw mostly fastballs in his first outing since July 21, 2012. He threw a first pitch strike to five of the 10 batters he faced today. The 29-year old’s fastball was clocked between 87-90 MPH. Seven of the eight outs recorded by Garza were ground outs (one double play), with one fly out […]

Matt Garza made his first rehab start of the season for the Tennessee Smokies tossing 2.2 innings as they fell 3-0 to the Mississippi Braves in a five-inning, rain-shortened contest.  The game marks the third time in the last four gamedays that the Smokies have been affected by inclement weather. Rehabbing from a strained left […]