Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog : June 2015

Guest Blog- Doug Hall: Hooks Chris Devenski Maintains Focus With Help of Dad, Pitching Coach

As a young man, Chris Devenski’s father showed him the value of hard work and dedication to becoming a better baseball player.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said earlier this week. “It’s motivation for me.”

Now in his fifth season in professional ball, a lot of ingredients are coming together for the right-hander, who began the Texas League All-Star break 7-1 with a 1.23 ERA, and 55 strikeouts in 66 innings for the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. For that, he also gives credit to the Hooks pitching coach.

“The start was last year with help from Doug Brocail. Having an open mind. Studying hitters, training the mind, overcoming obstacles, and reading books,” said Devenski.

Brocail, a 15-year major league veteran, gave Devenski a much-needed boost in his development.

“He allows me to be myself,” he said of Brocail.

Devenski, 24, made the big professional jump to Double-A in 2014, and, so far, in his first full season at the level, he’s not rattled.

“The only thing that can hold me back is myself.”

Devenski, a 25th round pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2011, split 2014 between Corpus Christi and High-A Lancaster, in the California League. He finished the season with a combined 4.04 ERA in 16 starts. He also struck out 55 and allowed 16 walks.

For the second time in his career this year, Devenski threw a no-hitter. The first came in 2012 with the Lexington Legends where he threw a complete game allowing just one walk and two hits.

This season, he combined to throw a no-hitter against the Arkansas Travelers with Josh Hader.

When comparing the two experiences he said, “I struck out 16 and learned a lot about myself [in the first]”, but this year’s no-no, “ Was more special because of tougher hitters and a [at] higher level.”

Devenski is deliberate in how he approaches another aspect of his career, exhibiting a strong willingness to connect with young fans. He’s happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs.

“Focus on leaving a legacy and leaving a mark,” he said. “I want to be an inspiration for people.”

You can follow Chris on Twitter @ddddeevvoooo

Posted at 12:07 PM in Baseball, California League, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Texas League | Permalink | Comments (0)

EXCLUSIVE: Top Rays Prospect Brent Honeywell Promoted, Talks About 2015 Success

Brent Honeywell, ranked as the 8th best prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays system by Baseball America entering 2015, has been promoted from the Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods to High-A Charlotte. He'll join the Stone Crabs as they begin the second half of their season, after winning the first-half title in the Florida State League (Southern Division).

He leaves the New York Penn League on the heels of an incredible 11-strikeout 7 inning performance two weeks ago. He's 4-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. In 65 innings of work he's allowed just 12 walks, while striking out 76.

Here's what he told me Friday afternoon.

On this season's success: [I'm] throwing strikes. No free passes. And when I get into trouble, I have to limit the damage. Everything is good. Now I'm just trying to sharpen things.

On maturing On and Off the field: I've just grown in the game. Off the field, I'm still a little kid *laughed*. Mentally and physically, I'm really slowing the game down in tough situations.

You can follow Brent on Twitter @brent_honeywell.

Posted at 03:16 PM in Baseball, Florida State League, Midwest League, MiLB, Minor League Baseball | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chris Kirsch Helps Lead the Stone Crabs With Confidence: 'We Knew We Were the Team to Beat'

In 2013, a tall (make that really tall) guy entered the visiting dugout of the Staten Island Yankees, cracking a few silly jokes that got everyone around him laughing. Later that day, he took the mound and showcased the other half. A power arm. A fiery energy. A steely determination. And a big dose of wildness he'd need to harness.

Chris Kirsch, in a nutshell, was a pitcher with all the makings of a fun baseball story, and one that could be a big success or a journey full of struggles.

So far, mostly the former is true.

Kirsch, a 14th round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, has advanced through the Rays system at a steady pace. At 23, he's never made any of the Rays prospect lists, but the bigger surprise is that he barely gets the attention he's earned. There's a tendency by prospect writers to focus on the higher draft picks. Projection is everything. But results don't talk as loud as they should in the prospect conversation. While the Rays have expressed a possibility that he could move to the bullpen in the future, he's making a case for a starting role as he continues to develop.

The lefty finished 2013 with the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class-A, Short Season) with a stronger second half than first. He showed improvement with each start, exhibiting the cool head that now comes easier to him.

"I think what's been the biggest key to my success has been the mental part of the game," he said this weekend. "I've been able to clear my head and not worry about other stuff. I used to have trouble with that, but now I'm able to focus from pitch to pitch and it's been huge for me."

He followed up that season with a strong Midwest League campaign. He pitched a career-high 133 innings, going 9-8 in 24 starts with a 2.83 ERA. He also finished with 82 strikeouts and 41 walks allowed. This year, he's been a huge part of the Charlotte Stone Crabs domination of the Florida State League. In 11 starts, he's got a 2.55/1.15 ERA/WHIP with 45 strikeouts.

"Our team chemistry couldn't be better. From the start of the season, we all knew we were the team to beat," he said. "We just had that kind of sense in the clubhouse. Everyone walks in there expecting to win every day. At the same time, we're a loose group of guys and enjoy doing what we do. I think that helps us. We don't feel pressure. We just go out there and play."

His first-half performance seemed to ensure a ticket to participate in the FSL All-Star Game. But when the final names were announced, he wasn't one of them. After Juniel Querecuto was scratched, lefty Kirsch was called on to replace him. He pitched an inning and was credited for the win.

"[It was] awesome! It was my first All-Star Game of my professional career and it was an honor to be selected to play. The festivities before the game, like the home run derby, were really fun to watch. It was so laid back and everyone was there just to enjoy themselves and have a good time. Nobody put any pressure on themselves performance-wise. It was a real laid back, joking atmosphere which was really cool," he said.

As for his personal performance, there's been one pitch that's been most effective and there was deliberate effort to make that happen.

"I think this year it's been my change-up. I went into this past off-season knowing I needed to come back to Spring Training with a change-up and a good one. So that's what I focused on the most and I think I was able to accomplish that this off-season. I'm able to throw it with confidence consistently."

That discipline comes from a place that he's never forgotten. On the field in college as part of the Lackawanna Falcons, Kirsch says he learned everything that makes him the player and person he's become from Lackawanna head coach Chris Pensak.

"Coach Pensak played a huge part in my development. He gave me the wind up that I still use today. He also instilled a work ethic in me that I didn't have in high school and that's something that I carry with me. He not only played a huge part in my development on the field, but off the field as well. I'm the person I am today because of that man. I was very lucky to have him as my coach, because of how much my life changed. When I got news of his dismissal, I was in shock," said Kirsch.

Kirsch's signature passion is ignited as he goes on to talk about Pensak's dismissal. It's something that his former player cannot imagine or understand.

"The program will never be the same there. He built a dynasty. The number of things he accomplished there, the list goes on and on. I could go on and on about how much of an importance he has been in my life and to every player that walks through those doors to play baseball there. But for his dismissal...they gave him no reason as to why they weren't renewing his contract and that's because they didn't have one. He did nothing but win at that school. And I'm sure there's plenty of other schools now begging him to be their coach."

As the second half begins, Kirsch is focused on a key area. Set them down early.

"Doc Watson and I have been working on putting hitters away with two strikes. Learning how to sequence hitters. It's a work in progress so far," he said. "I think I've made huge strides, but there's still a lot of work to be done."

You can follow Chris Kirsch on Twitter @ChrisKirsch9

Posted at 09:13 PM in Baseball, Florida State League, Midwest League, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects, New York Penn League | Permalink | Comments (0)

GCL Braves Opening Day: Chat with Jaret Hellinger, Plus Notes on Bradley Keller

The Gulf Coast League opened its season on June 22nd, and, as always, there was a mixture of rehabbing players combined with recent draftees.

The GCL Yankees began their 2015 schedule on the road against the Braves affiliate, winning the matchup 5-2, on what was a 104 degree day. For any of those guys not used to playing in that kind of weather, they sure got a taste.

Braves manager Robinson Cancel spoke post-game about some of the guys who got in the game that day.

On starting pitcher Luis Gamez: He threw the ball really well. He got into trouble a little but, he got out of it. He was drafted last year, and this is his second time in GCL . He’s just nineteen-years-old.

On 2015 Braves Draftees: [Lucas] Herbert [2nd round, 54th overall] caught the ball really well. Dalton [Geekie, 22nd round] threw the ball good. He was able to throw the breaking ball for strikes.

On his First Year Managing in the GCL: I was in Danville last year in [Appalachian] League. I have to be patient with these kids. They’re a work in progress. We need to get them in a better routine and in better habits every day.

You can follow Lucas Herbert on Twitter @lucasherbert_ and Dalton Geekie @DaltonGeekie.

Jaret Hellinger ‘Excited’ to Play for Favorite Childhood Team

On the night of the June MLB Draft, McDonough, Georgia native Jaret Hellinger heard something he wasn’t expecting.

In the 20th round, the righty hurler was selected by the Atlanta Braves, a team that he hadn’t even realize was in play. The Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Arizona Diamondbacks all expressed interest. But the Braves, they came out of nowhere in the final hours.

“Those are who were I was really expecting. Oh yeah…big surprise,” Hellinger said Monday.

The dream of playing professionally is one huge matter, but playing for the team they rooted for brings another level of emotion to the experience, according to Hellinger.

“Since I was four years old, I’ve been a Braves fan at heart. It was always a dream. So when the option came, I just asked myself ‘When else am I going to get this opportunity?’ “ All my friends are Braves fans. This makes it even more exciting.”

As a senior pitcher for Ola High School, it was reported that he topped out at 93 on the radar. He finished that season with 50 strikeouts under his belt. He needed to make that kind of strong impression heading into the draft, having gone through elbow tendinitis. He missed a month of valuable work. Ultimately, Atlanta saw something in a guy who hadn’t been a pitcher all that long.

“I was a three-sport athlete. Then in the 10th grade, I started pitching. I was a 6-2 lefty, and I realized I should probably try and pitch. But I was young. So I just kept working and working and trying to gain weight,” said Hellinger.

Hellinger said he’s working on strengthening his hips and continuing to gain weight. At eighteen, he projects to fill out his frame more in the next couple of years.

Even as he’s focusing on the work ahead, the boyhood dream still lingers a little.
“It’s amazing, because two days before the draft, I was at the Braves game watching them play.”

Follow Jaret Hellinger on Twitter @JaretHellinger

Report on Bradley Keller:

Another lifelong Braves fan, Bradley Keller, was drafted in the 15th round out of Crest High (Shelby, North Carolina) and reported to the GCL to start his career.
He was in the outfield, a position he reportedly feels is his most natural. He finished 2015 as the South Mountain Conference Player of the Year and had been committed to Western Carolina University.

The 6-1 195 pounder showed some pop at the plate, and showcased his speed on the bases. He stood out on that squad, doing little things that drew your eyes to him. Early in the game he hit the first pitch toward center for a single, exhibiting a smooth swing and quick bat. His speed getting over there was a clear strength and he showed a ton of hustle as the ball dropped in for a hit. When he advanced to second he did so with a mix of grit and smarts, getting under the tag in time. He later scored a run.

You can follow Bradley Keller on Twitter @keller_bradley

Look for continued GCL Braves coverage, and expanded GCL coverage, here and on Minor League Ball in the next week.

Posted at 07:52 PM in Baseball, Gulf Coast League, MiLB, Minor League Prospects, MLB Draft | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLB Draft 2015: Andrew Tomasovich Comes To Terms With Athletics After Making Local History

As a Friday night starter for Charleston Southern University this past season, Andrew Tomasovich was pitching himself into the moment he’d prepared for his whole life. He was also closing in on a bit of history.

With his brother Alex being drafted last year, they became the first brothers from Fort Mill, South Carolina to be drafted to the Major Leagues. His older brother was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the 20th round.

“My brother has given me a lot of advice on what to expect when I get there and what will be expected from me,” Andrew said Saturday.

The A’s took the lefty junior in the 21st round, on the heels of Tomasovich finishing 7-7 with a 3.09 ERA. His 9.58 strikeouts per nine was one of the best in the Big South Conference. Having come this far, Tomasovich is thinking about something more than baseball.

“I signed my terms sheet last night and head out Monday. The driving factor for me was the fact that I am able to go back to school and get my degree,” he said.
Tomasovich has the benefit of his brother’s wisdom and isn’t going into professional baseball without an idea of what he’ll experience. He also looks back on those that helped him develop along the way, and the mindset that kept him on track.

“The coaching staff at CSU was great and they really helped me achieve my goals. Another huge key was my catcher Sam Remick. That guy never gets enough credit and was so good behind the plate all year. My key to success was working my tail off every day and striving to get better each and every day,” he said.

You can follow him on Twitter @tomasovich_13

Posted at 04:06 PM in Baseball, College Baseball, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, MLB | Permalink | Comments (0)

Heels Watch: Rays Edition - Stone Crabs Clinch. Why So Good? PLUS Oranizational Notes

South Florida - If you’d been paying attention to the Charlotte Stone Crabs the past few weeks, the Tampa Bay Rays High-A affiliate has been blazing a fire through baseball. No, not just the Florida State League they play in, but all of baseball. Carrying the lowest ERA in all of baseball two weeks ago (2.12), they bested every team in the minors and majors.

Many things have gone right for the team to bring them to the point they reached Friday night, when they clinched the South Division and a playoffs spot. They won their 41st game, giving them a 41-20 record in the first half.

The Breakdown:

Pitching

There was a looming question about the rotation and whether they had enough to succeed. But the rotation showcased guys who'd been around, and had enough of a veteran mindset to overcome obstacles. Their 1.18 team WHIP is tied for 1st with Clearwater.

In the early part of the season, Stone Crabs manager Michael Johns explained that a few of the guys playing for him were well-known to him. He’d seen what distance they’d grown as players and people. The first name he mentioned when asked who’d grown the most, was starting pitcher Jacob Faria.

Faria was on the hill last night for the big game, and turned in the kind of quality performance that’s expected of him right now. He worked through 6 innings of work, allowing no runs, 3 hits, and, walked just two batters. He has the lowest ERA in the league (1.33), the lowest WHIP on the team (0.98), and the most strikeouts on the team (63). Johns lauded Faria’s ‘maturity’, both on the hill and off.

Second in strikeouts to Faria on the team, is Chris Kirsch. Kirsch leads in a category that he led in previous seasons, innings pitched. A big lefty with a big, lively fastball, his 4-3 record doesn’t tell the whole story, but record rarely does. His 44 strikeouts is also 2nd to Faria’s. He lacked run support in some of his better starts, and pitched deep enough in several outings to give the team a chance. He’s not been given enough attention the last two seasons, remaining more of an under-the-radar type player. With more of a spotlight on him, he continues to prove he has the stuff to pitch deep and keep guys off base. Here's what he had to say in August of 2014 - http://www.heelsonthefield.net/my_weblog/2013/08/rays-prospect-chris-kirsch-finds-his-way-in-latest-start-for-renegades.html

Ryne Stanek’s ERA is 5th in the league (1.78). Stanek’s arm is highly regarded, despite past medical questions. It’s early in his career, having been drafted in 2013 in the 1st round, but an industry source said that should a starting role not work out, he has “closer stuff.”

Worth mentioning is one of the Rays top pitching prospects, Taylor Guerrieri, who’s been on the road back from Tommy John surgery, and a separate suspension for testing positive for a ‘drug of abuse’. Guerrieri has been pitching for the Stone Crabs with mixed, but mostly positive results. In 5 games, 13 IP, he’s allowed 7 earned runs (five of them in his worst outing of the season), has kept the walks to a minimum (3), with 7 strikeouts. People have wondered about his maturity, and when he made his professional debut, sure, that was clear. But the Rays first round pick was also the quickest learner in a short span of time such as the Short-Season New York Penn League is. His ability to grow with each outing, and to re-focus during a difficult start improved vastly from the start of the season to the end. While he may not have the biggest hand in the Stone Crabs success, every arm matters. And his continued development matters a lot to the Rays.

Out of the bullpen, Brad Schreiber has been a gem, leading the league in saves with 16. He hasn’t allowed a run since May 27th and hasn’t surrendered a walk in his last 6 opportunities. For a late rounder (40th, 2012), Schreiber is making a case for himself.

You can also read a recent interview reliever Kyle McKenzie did with this blog. He has a 2.37 ERA in 19 IP, allowing 6 walks in 11 games. He was a late addition to the roster, and has so far made a good adjustment. - http://www.heelsonthefield.net/2015/05/kyle-mckenzie-talks-about-stone-crabs-personal-ccess.html

Offense:

The Stone Crabs offense has also been strong. The team leads in AVG (.269), runs scored (262), and RBI (242). Their biggest rival (North Div.) Daytona Tortugas leads in home runs (38), while Charlotte has lacked the same power with 21 home runs. They’ve been solid in drawing the free pass, with 201 walks, good for 3rd in the league.

First baseman Jake Bauers leads the team in that category with 28, fourth overall in the league. He also leads the team in home runs, hitting 6 which is 7th in the league. http://www.heelsonthefield.net/2015/04/spotlight-onrays-prospect-jake-bauers-.html

The two-punch of Bauers and Willy Adames has been a huge spark. Adames leads the club in hits (60) and doubles (14). 2013 4th round pick Kean Wong has led the charge in the past week, as the team reached this pivotal point, putting together a 7-game hitting streak. In those seven games, he’s had three back-to-back multi-hit games, reaching base safely four times on Wednesday.

Centerfielder Braxton Lee has also been consistent in the last two weeks, hitting in four games straight last week (with a pair of RBI and stolen bases in one game) and has now hit safely in the past three games. In the same game as Wong on the tenth, Lee got three hits, crossed home plate three times, knocked in a run and stole two bases. STORY

The Stone Crabs have a tough stretch ahead, as the weather warms up and the schedule starts to bring on a little wear and tear. But they have a cohesive unit, that has accomplished more than most expected. With all of that success, it’s worth wondering who among them may not be there come playoffs time.

RAYS ORGANIZATIONAL NOTES: The Triple-A Rays affiliated Durham Bulls lead their own South division of the International League, going 37-26. The Norfolk Tides are on their tail, back just two games. Durham is second in saves with 24, just one behind the Indianapolis Indians…The Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods have the second best record in the Midwest League (Eastern Division) at 35-26. They have one more loss than division rival Lansing Lugnuts. The team offense leads in Average (.272) and home runs, knocking out 45 this season.

Posted at 03:11 PM in Baseball, Florida State League, International League, Midwest League, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLB Draft: Blue Jays 16th Round Pick Christian Williams Discusses Anxiety of Draft, Signing Decision

In the midst of the thousands of tweets about this week’s MLB Draft, one stood out for its poignancy.

“There’s no pain that amounts to the pain you feel when someone else’s name is called in the spot a team tells you they’re going to pick you,” tweeted Christian Williams, on the second day of the draft.

While many players mostly keep things light on social media as the draft unfolds, Williams spoke genuinely from his heart, unafraid to share the feelings of anxiety and hurt that can arise. Baseball is a business, and the draft, with all it’s emotional highs, is filled with harsh realities.

Williams eventually heard his name in the 16th round, when the Blue Jays selected the Gulf Coast League Community College alum. He’s committed to North Carolina State.

There was a lot of action around him leading up to draft day, but there seemed to be a lack of clarity.

“Leading up to it there was seven or eight teams that were serious about taking me. The morning of the second day of the draft the Twins told me that they were going to take me in the 5th round, but once it got there they ended up drafting someone else, “ said Williams.

The tweet about not hearing his name was from pure, raw uncertainty. And not just about which team would actually draft him.

“I tweeted that because I was told I was going to be a 5th round pick. I started worrying a lot after my name didn't get called. I wasn't sure I was going to be drafted.”

The Vero Beach native finally laid that worry to rest, and left what should be his final college season behind.

“I'm leaning more toward signing,” he confirmed.

In 37 games for GCL CC, the third baseman hit .398 with 32 RBI, 3 HR, and 26 runs scored.
When reflecting on that season, he observed how he’d grown as a player that put him in a good position heading into the draft.

“Kind of getting to know what the pitchers throw in certain situations; also, just attacking mistakes when they made them. I think just maturing as a hitter.”

You can follow Christian on Twitter @Chris_w10

Posted at 07:57 PM in Baseball, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects, MLB Draft | Permalink | Comments (0)

Heels Watch: Akron's Ryan Merritt is 'Big Performance', Reno Aces in 'Social Media' Spotlight

Big Performance: Ryan Merritt – Merritt entered the 2015 season ranked as the 20th best Cleveland Indians prospect by MLB.com, and he’s shown a lot of what he’s capable of through his last few starts for the Double-A Akron Rubber Ducks. But as news of his outing began to spread on social media Wednesday night, it was clear something special was unfolding in the 23-year-old’s career. He retired his first 16 batters, ultimately allowing just 2 hits over 7 2/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out six.

ETA Review: Mason Williams, Aaron Judge – The Yankees plan for Judge is simple, despite criticism: they prefer that he plays a full season in Double-A before he makes his major league debut. While Williams maturity was a concern, he proved himself against Double-A competition. In 2013 and 2014, then played 34 games this season, going .317/.407/.782, before being promoted to Triple-A S-WB. In all, he's played 179 games at the Double-A level. In 13 games with S-WB, he's got 17 hits, with 6 RBI, and 5 walks. On May 24th he put together a 4-hit game, scoring 3 runs. He followed that up by extending his hitting streak seven more games.

Judge, who's the same age as Williams, is in his second full year of professional baseball. Two, gimme two. Any sort of promotion to the majors would be a rush-job, and could prove extreme for the young player. The Yankees 2013 First Round pick started the season with Trenton, and so far, so very good. In 48 games he's got 57 hits, 31 RBI, 13 doubles, and 8 home runs. He assembled an 8-game hitting streak starting at the end of May, including three multi-hit games.

Williams has taken longer to develop, after being drafted in the 4th round in 2010. But he's got solid experience at an advanced level, where he's had to work through those struggles. He saw his value after initial high expectations, and entered 2015 ranked 30th in the Yankees organization by Baseball America . While Judge gets high praise for leadership skills and obvious power, the Yankees have too much of a good thing to push him forward any quicker.

Look for Judge to finish the season in Trenton, with a possible 2016 start in Triple-A. If all goes well there, Judge could be in Yankee stadium late in the season if he's needed. Williams could pace himself into a September call when rosters expand, but he too will likely be looking at 2016 for a major league spot.

Social Media Spotlight- The Developing Career of Peter O'Brien - Two things make it in, and both are about Peter O'Brien [seen in photo below]. The Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect (who was traded from the New York Yankees mid-season in 2014) impressed the hell out of the Reno Aces staff on Sunday, when this tweet was posted: See ya, baseball!! My goodness, Peter O'Brien just destroyed a baseball to center! The solo blast is #12 of the year.
Earlier today, MLB Network Radio tweeted an important bit of information that Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale shared. "O'Brien went into Nevin's office and said 'I just don't feel like catching anymore. I think I can make it into the bigs as an OF.'

We spoke last season, when he was still in the Yankees organization and playing for the Trenton Thunder, and he mentioned his comfort in playing several positions, including right field. http://highheelsonthefield.typepad.com/my_weblog/eastern-league-baseball/

O'Brien was one of the strongest players when he debuted in the New York Penn League in 2013, showcasing solid plate approach and raw power. But the positional question loomed. Looks like it might be answered.

Team Spotlight: Fort Myers Miracle – The Minnesota Twins Florida State League affiliate has pitched the most innings of any team in the league (490), and while they trail other more well-rounded teams in the league, a few guys have been consistent and reliable. Catcher Alex Swim is tied for first in hits (65) and is second in average (.333). Starting pitcher Todd Van Steensel leads the team in strikeouts with 46 and reliever Brandon Peterson is not far behind with 42.

Quick Quotes: Todd Van Steensel

“It’s always fun taking on the best teams in the league; each player kind of rises to the occasion. At the moment, though, we’re focused on playing consistent baseball as a team, rather than worrying who we are playing against. If we play the way we know how, we can beat any team on any given day.” ~ On the Fort Myers Miracle maintaining confidence.

“The key to my success this season has been command of my fastball. The days I have a good feel for the strike zone with my fastball, it gives me a chance to finish off hitters with my breaking ball which leads to my higher rate of strikeouts. Days when I have no feel for my fastball, I tend to get hit around a lot and walk a lot more hitters.”
‘HOTF’ recent interview with Brandon Peterson - http://www.heelsonthefield.net/2015/05/brandon-peterson.html

Posted at 03:53 PM in Baseball, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects | Permalink | Comments (0)

Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

June 2015

June 27, 2015

Guest Blog- Doug Hall: Hooks Chris Devenski Maintains Focus With Help of Dad, Pitching Coach

June 26, 2015

EXCLUSIVE: Top Rays Prospect Brent Honeywell Promoted, Talks About 2015 Success

June 23, 2015

Chris Kirsch Helps Lead the Stone Crabs With Confidence: 'We Knew We Were the Team to Beat'

GCL Braves Opening Day: Chat with Jaret Hellinger, Plus Notes on Bradley Keller

June 13, 2015

MLB Draft 2015: Andrew Tomasovich Comes To Terms With Athletics After Making Local History

Heels Watch: Rays Edition - Stone Crabs Clinch. Why So Good? PLUS Oranizational Notes

June 10, 2015

MLB Draft: Blue Jays 16th Round Pick Christian Williams Discusses Anxiety of Draft, Signing Decision

June 04, 2015

Heels Watch: Akron's Ryan Merritt is 'Big Performance', Reno Aces in 'Social Media' Spotlight

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