RedHawks transaction ticker: 58
The wheels of professional baseball never stop turning with transactions an almost daily occurrence. Here’s a look at the transactions the RedHawks have been a part of so far this season from injuries to promotions and everything in between. This week includes the return of Tommy Hunter and Emerson Frostad.
1. April 15 P Willie Eyre Texas OKC Activated from ML rehab and recalled
2. April 15 P Warner Madrigal Oklahoma Texas Optioned
3. April 15 IF German Duran DL OKC Placed on DL (illness), retro 4/12
4. April 16 C Kevin Richardson OKC Extended Transferred to OKC
5. April 17 P Beau Vaughan Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
6. April 18 P Beau Vaughan OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
7. April 18 P Derek Holland Texas OKC Contract purchased
8. April 19 OF Ben Harrison DL OKC Placed on DL (right hamstring) retro to April 17
9. April 19 IF German Duran OKC DL Activated
10. April 21 P Dustin Nippert OKC Texas DL Major League Rehab assignment
11. April 23 P Bryan Corey OKC Extended Transferred to OKC
12. April 23 P Luis Mendoza Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
13. April 23 P Kason Gabbard Boston OKC Traded
14. April 23 P Jared Hyatt OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
15. April 24 OF Brandon Boggs Bereavement OKC Placed on Bereavement List
16. April 24 OF Ben Harrison OKC DL Activated from DL
17. April 25 P Dustin Nippert Texas DL OKC Major League Rehab Assignment ended
18. April 27 OF Brandon Boggs OKC Bereavement Activated from Bereavement List
19. April 27 IF Scott Thorman — OKC Released
20. May 1 P Derrick Turnbow — OKC Released
21. May 1 C Max Ramirez Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
22 May 2 P Jared Hyatt Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
23. May 2 P Tommy Hunter OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
24. May 2 P John Bannister OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
25. May 3 IF Jose Vallejo OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
26. May 4 P A.J. Murray OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
27. May 4 P Thomas Diamond DL OKC Placed on DL
28. May 4 OF Greg Golson Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
29. May 4 C Max Ramirez OKC Texas Optioned
30. May 6 P Luis Mendoza OKC Texas Optioned
31. May 6 P Pedro Strop Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
32. May 7 IF Nate Gold OKC — Signed as a free agent
33. May 7 OF Ben Harrison Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
34. May 9 IF Joaquin Arias Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
35. May 9 OF Greg Golson OKC Texas Optioned
36. May 10 OF Josh Hamilton OKC Texas DL Major League rehab assignment
37. May 12 P Thomas Diamond Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
38. May 12 OF Josh Hamilton Texas OKC Major League rehab assignment ended
39 May 12 IF Joaquin Arias OKC Texas Optioned
40. May 13 C Emerson Frostad Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
41. May 14 P Josh Rupe OKC Extended Assigned outright from extended spring
42. May 14 P Michael Ballard Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
43. May 15 IF German Duran DL OKC Placed on DL, right rib contusion
44. May 16 P Mike Hinckley OKC — Signed as a free agent
45. May 16 P Warner Madrigal Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
46. May 21 OF Steven Murphy OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
47. May 29 P Clayton Hamilton OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
48. May 29 P Tommy Hunter Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
49. May 29 IF Jose Vallejo DL OKC Placed on DL, sprained right ankle
50. May 29 IF Adam Fox OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
51 May 31 IF Adam Fox Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
52. May 31 P Bryan Corey Arizona OKC Transferred to Rookie-level Arizona
53. May 31 P Luis Mendoza DL OKC Placed on DL, strep throat
54. May 31 C Max Ramirez DL OKC Placed on DL, right wrist soreness
55. May 31 P Tommy Hunter OKC Texas Optioned
56. May 31 IF German Duran OKC DL Activated
57. May 31 P Omar Poveda OKC Frisco Transferred from Class AA
58. May 31 C Emerson Frostad OKC Frisco Transferred from Class AA
Almonte and the draft
Danny Almonte’s college baseball career came to an end Tuesday the JUCO Division II Championships in Enid.
For those that don’t recall the name, Almonte is the kid from the 2001 Little League World Series who was found to be 14 years old, when he really was supposed to be 12.
The result was a national scandal that highlighted the sometimes unbelievable things parents will do to get their kid ahead in the rough and tumble world of youth sports.
Fast forward eight years later and Almonte is a sophomore at Western Oklahoma State in Altus.
The Pioneers ended their tournament run with a loss to LB Wallace and since Almonte has already played semi-pro ball, he’s not eligible to make his way to an NCAA Division I or II school.
So now Almonte enters the draft pool. According to a piece by the NY Daily News, most scouts don’t think Almonte will be drafted, largely because of….get this… his age.
Almonte is 22 and is competing against 18 and 19 year olds which helps to make sense of his incredible stats as a pitcher and outfielder.
Truth is, Almonte is a great player, but at 22, he’s already a little long in the tooth to start his minor league career.
There is also the baggage of the 2001 scandal. Almonte didn’t do himself any favors with a two-year silence at Western.
At the player’s request, Pioneers coach Kurt Russell successfully shielded Almonte from interview requests from both media in Oklahoma and New York. In a way, it was probably the right move, at least for his first year in school.
But in a way it also hurt Almonte. He never got a chance to tell his side of the story as an adult which could have only helped him. What’s more, those around Almonte, fans of the team, people in the community, are also extremely wary of talking about him.
There are no negatives here. By all accounts, Almonte has grown up to be a regular college kid who happens to have an interesting past. The fact he ended up in Altus is interesting. The fact he developed into a standout player is even more interesting, and a huge credit to Almonte. No shame in talking about any of it.
RedHawks Transaction Ticker: 46
Throughout the season we’ll take a look a compiled list of RedHawks transactions. After a flurry of activity in the beginning and middle of the month, things have calmed down.
RedHawks Moves To Date: 46
Roster moves by OKC
1. April 15 P Willie Eyre Texas OKC Activated from ML rehab and
2. April 15 P Warner Madrigal Oklahoma Texas Optioned
3. April 15 IF German Duran DL OKC Placed on DL (illness), retro
4. April 16 C Kevin Richardson OKC Extended Transferred to OKC
5. April 17 P Beau Vaughan Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
6. April 18 P Beau Vaughan OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
7. April 18 P Derek Holland Texas OKC Contract purchased
8. April 19 OF Ben Harrison DL OKC Placed on DL (right hamstring)
9. April 19 IF German Duran OKC DL Activated
10. April 21 P Dustin Nippert OKC Texas DL Major League Rehab assignment
11. April 23 P Bryan Corey OKC Extended Transferred to OKC
12. April 23 P Luis Mendoza Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
13. April 23 P Kason Gabbard Boston OKC Traded
14. April 23 P Jared Hyatt OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
15. April 24 OF Brandon Boggs Bereavement OKC Placed on Bereavement List
16. April 24 OF Ben Harrison OKC DL Activated from DL
17. April 25 P Dustin Nippert Texas DL OKC Major League Rehab Assignment
18. April 27 OF Brandon Boggs OKC Bereavement Activated from Bereavement
19. April 27 IF Scott Thorman — OKC Released
20. May 1 P Derrick Turnbow — OKC Released
21. May 1 C Max Ramirez Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
22 May 2 P Jared Hyatt Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
23. May 2 P Tommy Hunter OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
24. May 2 P John Bannister OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
25. May 3 IF Jose Vallejo OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
26. May 4 P A.J. Murray OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
27. May 4 P Thomas Diamond DL OKC Placed on DL
28. May 4 OF Greg Golson Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
29. May 4 C Max Ramirez OKC Texas Optioned
30. May 6 P Luis Mendoza OKC Texas Optioned
31. May 6 P Pedro Strop Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
32. May 7 IF Nate Gold OKC — Signed as a free agent
33. May 7 OF Ben Harrison Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
34. May 9 IF Joaquin Arias Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
35. May 9 OF Greg Golson OKC Texas Optioned
36. May 10 OF Josh Hamilton OKC Texas DL Major League rehab assignment
37. May 12 P Thomas Diamond Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
38. May 12 OF Josh Hamilton Texas OKC Major League rehab assignment
39 May 12 IF Joaquin Arias OKC Texas Optioned
40. May 13 C Emerson Frostad Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
41. May 14 P Josh Rupe OKC Extended Assigned outright from extended
42. May 14 P Michael Ballard Frisco OKC Transferred to Class AA
43. May 15 IF German Duran DL OKC Placed on DL, right rib contusion
44. May 16 P Mike Hinckley OKC — Signed as a free agent
45. May 16 P Warner Madrigal Texas OKC Recalled by Texas
46. May 21 OF Steven Murphy OKC Frisco Transferred to OKC
Snake eyes: RedHawks routed in Vegas
LAS VEGAS — A big night for first baseman Brett Harper helped Las Vegas to a 10-1 rout of Oklahoma City Friday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
Harper went 3 for 5 with four RBIs. Las Vegas also got a strong start from Brian Burres (2-4) who scattered three hits over six innings with three strikeouts.
RedHawks starter Luis Mendoza (2-2) struggled over seven innings of work with 11 hits and four earned runs. He struck out three. Steven Murphy drove in Oklahoma City’s lone run on a solo homer in the ninth inning, his first since being promoted from Double-A Frisco earlier this week.
Okies in the minors: The Bundy Brothers
After a short season in the Gulf Coast league in 2008, former Sperry High School standout Bobby Bundy will likely make his 2009 debut with Aberdeen next month in the Penn League.
Bundy was an 8th round pick last year, netting a $600,000 signing bonus. He’s the No. 15 ranked prospect in the Orioles organization according to Baseball America.
Bundy pitched in two games last year with a 9.00 ERA but has reportedly looked good in extended spring training.
Bobby’s younger brother Dylan also led Sperry to a state championship over the weekend with 17 strikeouts. There are some who believe the sophomore will be even better than his older brother.
Other Okies in the minors:
Pete Kozma, SS, St. Louis (Double-A): A first round pick in 2007, Kozma hit .284 in low-A ball last year and .130 in 24 games in high-A. The former Owasso star is having a nice season with Double-A Springfield. Kozma had gotten off to a slow start in Double-A, but had the game-winning single against Arkansas over the weekend that capped off a 3-hit night.
Daniel McCutchen, RP, Pittsburch (Triple-A): McCutchen was a 13th round pick by the Yankees in 2006 but was acquired by Pittsburgh in the Xavier Nady trade last year. He is the No. 9 ranked prospect on the Pirates’ farm and is 2-3 with a 4.23 ERA in seven starts for Indianapolis.
Rangers promote Murphy to OKC
Texas has filled the last open spot on Oklahoma City’s roster with outfielder Steven Murphy who was promoted from Frisco.
Murphy played college ball at K-State and is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. He has shown some pop in his bat with 20 homers in Double-A last year. He was a 14th round pick by Texas in 2005.
Most of all, it gives the RedHawks some depth. Brandon Boggs, Greg Golson and Julio Borbon had been the only true outfielders on the roster. Casey Benjamin and Royce Huffman have played there some, but they’re more true infielders.
RedHawks turning the corner?
Oklahoma City is on a two game win streak, matching its longest of the season.
The RedHawks have showed considerable improvement in the field the last two games, especially in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Portland. The Beavers starter wasn’t the best, with a nearly 10.00 ERA, but guys like Nate Gold, Jose Vallejo, Joaquin Arias and Julio Borbon hit em where they weren’t, and at the right times.
That was also the case in Tuesday night’s win, albeit with fewer sparks at the plate. They’ll go for their first series win tonight.
Doug Mathis was also quite good with eight strikeouts. His pitch count got a little high, but it was a vast improvement over the pounding he took in Round Rock last week.
The most noticeable areas of improvement this home stand are defensively and the timely hitting. Still a long way to .500 though.
We’ll be taking a few days off the blog to help out with high school baseball with a return to the Brick on Sunday.
Josh Hamilton to visit RedHawks
Oklahoma City’s lineup will get a boost, at least for one game. The Rangers have announced they will send All-Star Josh Hamilton to the RedHawks for a rehab assignment beginning Sunday. Hamilton has been on the DL with a rib cage injury.
Unfortunately for local fans, Hamilton almost certainly won’t be with OKC when they return for their next home stand on Tuesday. That’s the day he’s eligible to come off the DL and you figure the Rangers will activate him rather than having him travel all the way back to OKC from Round Rock just to play in one more game.
Korn in the house and other happenings
A totally surreal scene tonight at the Brick. The band Korn was in the house to throw out the first pitch.
I’m not a fan of Korn’s music (and I also can’t figure out how to make the K backward which is the way they spell it) but they popped in the press box and seemed like pretty easy going guys although I was seeing shades of Spinal Tap when one of them asked a staffer for a Red Bull.
At any rate, RedHawks infielder Casey Benjamin seemed really excited to see them, enthusiastically talking with all four members before the game. There were also a few of the obligatory groupies wanting autographs.
In other news, Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for using a female fertility drug, or something like that. I talked to a few fans and the sense I get is MLB nation is sick of the issue and even sicker of the media covering it.
As for the players, even at the minor league level nobody wanted to complete unload on Manny which is something I respect. Pro baseball regardless of the level is a fraternity. ‘Hawks manager Bobby Jones was the most critical saying “Hell yes” the suspension time was fair.
Nate Gold came back to OKC tonight. Turns out he was bass fishing in Iowa yesterday when he got the call from the Rangers asking him if he’d be interested in playing for them. Gold had been in Taiwan playing for one of their teams before being released.
Getting Gold isn’t like getting a guy like Nelson Cruz, or Joe Koshansky for that matter, but he will help the RedHawks at some point. He looked a little rusty in Thursday night’s game.
And catcher Max Ramirez is in a free fall. Another hitless night with a strikeout. In a way what’s happening to Ramirez reminds me of what is happening to Cubs catcher Geovany Soto who I’m not sure could hit Triple-A pitching at this point.
You figure Soto and Ramirez will get it going at some point. Texas sure hopes so. They’re carrying two starting quality catchers in Arlington with Teagarden and Salty and I imagine would like to unload one of them at some point. Ramirez’ struggles no doubt complicate that to a degree.
The RedHawks hit the road for four games at Round Rock returning to the Brick Tuesday.
So what’s up with the RedHawks?
So what’s up with the RedHawks? I’ve been asked this a couple of times as we move through the first third of the a 144 game season.
I come from a football background. I didn’t start my addiction to the pro game until 2005 when I joined a terrific fantasy league that drives me nuts right now. Another story for another day.
At any rate, just 24 games in and with the RedHawks 10-14 I find myself asking guys like Bob Hersom for perspective. He’s covered pro baseball in OKC for nearly 30 years and has forgotten more about its history than I’ll ever learn.
From my less experienced eye I see what most fans see. A team that’s struggling to find its identity. The RedHawks just aren’t very good right now.
OKC has gone 10 games without a homer. That was to be expected but making matters worse they’ve struggled to adapt to the hit and run style they need to play to be successful. What we’ve seen so far is a lineup that scores and steals in spurts. Six of the RedHawks last eight batters struck out Wednesday but in the early stages of their loss to Albuquerque it looked as though it would be a good hitting day.
The pitching has ranged from nasty to generous in both the pen and the rotation. Michael Ballard was great in his last outing and looked like he was picking up where he left off before giving up back-to-back homers in a five run fourth. He had thrown three scoreless before running into trouble.
Perspective counts, too. The season is 24 games old and as bad as OKC has played its still just four games under .500, and nobody else seems to want to take control of the PCL South.
