Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Brent Honeywell, Beau Wright Recall Minor League, High School Memories of Jose Fernandez

Tampa, FL- Fifteen pitches.

That’s how many pitches Rays prospect Brent Honeywell throws in the bullpen, before starts.He started doing that after meeting Jose Fernandez.

“To this day, that’s all I throw,” Honeywell said. “Because he did.”

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez lost his life on September 25th, in a boating accident in Miami, and along with his family, the baseball world has mourned the 24-year old beloved superstar.

Honeywell was still in high school when he met Fernandez. He was throwing a bullpen at Fernandez' alma mater, Alonso High, in Tampa in the off-season, prior to making his major league debut. Landy Faedo, Alonso’s head coach was a close, college friend of Honeywell’s father.

Fernandez noticed something about Honeywell that he wanted to offer him advice about.

“He ran over because my tempo was really high. And he told me that I didn’t have to do that, to work on locating fastballs and throwing everything for strikes,” Honeywell said.

He did as Fernandez instructed and every pitch went where it was supposed to. Fernandez laughed, as he watched this transpire.

During that time, Honeywell learned about Fernandez story of escaping Cuba. It left a lasting impression.

“I realize what guys go through to play this game,” Honeywell said.

Beau Wright was a pitcher in the Marlins organization when he met Fernandez.

“When he first showed up in GCL, [he was] a typical eighteen-year old riding that fine line of cocky and confident,” Wright said. “During a game, he would tell me how he would strike each hitter out. And after, he told me how successful he wanted to be in the major leagues.”

Fernandez, a 1st round pick by the Marlins in 2011, shot his way through the minor leagues, making his major league debut in 2013. He was named 2013 Rookie of the Year. From there he connected not just with Marlins fans, but to the hearts of the people of Miami, and to those around the world with similar aspirations, and similar stories of coming to America, to live a better life and pursue the American dream. His childlike spirit and enthusiasm made him a favorite of baseball fans everywhere. He represented many things, to many people. For two guys getting to know him in the minor leagues, he was a guy with an incredible ability to inspire and connect.

When asked whether there was a game he saw him pitch that stood out, Wright said, “Probably every spring training game he threw. I remember one outing he struck out eight of nine Cardinals players. I was convinced he would be great.”

Wright talked about the things Fernandez was known for, a guy always smiling, always in a joking mood, that he was simply a fun person to be in the presence of.

But it was that devotion to greatness that was so clear in Fernandez.

“It was just the incredible determination he had. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how he was going to do it,” Wright said.

Honeywell sums it up.

“He will still go down in the books as one of the best ever,” he said. “What a person.”

Focus on...Montgomery Biscuits: Who's Leading and a Look Back

Tampa, FL- The Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays is inching closer to a Southern League playoffs spot. No surprise, when they’ve been consistent up and down the board. The Double-A test is a jump considered by many to be the hardest in the minor leagues. And they’re passing that test as a team in several key areas.

Here’s a review of the season’s best, as well as a flashback to seasons past with a few and what they did to get here.

OFFENSE: Bauers Power

Jake Bauers- In his first full season in Double-A, rightfielder Bauers has exhibited his mix of skills, with consistent contact and solid power numbers. While his .278 average is third on the team, he’s leading the club with 13 home runs and 72 RBI. His 130 hits are good for 2^nd on the team, and 7^TH overall in the league. He finished 2015 hitting .271/.368/.413 between Montgomery and High-A Charlotte.

What he said in 2015: “I’m working on approach this year. Sometimes I get a little too aggressive…I’m definitely one hundred percent now. It just takes some time.”Bauers also leads the league in walks with 71.

Willy Adames – Leading the team in just about every category, Adames is living up to the ROUND status. The shortstop’s .279 average is the highest on the team, as are his 132 hits. He leads the league in runs scored (87), and he’s second in walks (70) to Bauers in the league.

Granden Goetzman- The leftfielder leads the team with 23 stolen bases. RF Cade Gotta is 2^nd on the team with 19.

PITCHING: Hu and Kirsch K the Competition

Chris Kirsch- After spinning a 7-inning 5-hit shutout gem, lefty Kirsch now leads the team with 114 strikeouts, good for 5^th overall in the league. That also stretches his scoreless run to 13 innings. His 3.38 ERA through 25 GG is the league’s 4^th best. He’s the only pitcher on the team with a complete game shutout, and Thursday’s outing was his 2^nd 7 inning game in five starts. True to past form, he’s eating innings, leading the league in innings pitched (138). He’s proven a lot at every level he’s pitched.

What he said in 2015: “I think what’s been the biggest key to my success has been the mental part of the game. 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. “

Chih-Wei Hu – Through a league-leading 24 games, 2.59 ERA is lowest in the league. He is second on the team in K’s with 107. His 1.15 WHIP is 2^nd overall in the league.

Jaye Chapman’s 19 saves are 3^rd in the league.

Taylor Guerrieri – His 12 wins is tied for first in the league, and his 1.22 WHIP is 4^th overall.

What he said in 2015: “The consistency is really just coming from being healthy.” He continued that thought, saying the goal was to, “Make every start. Stay healthy.” Guerrieri was tough on himself the last time I saw him pitch for High-A Charlotte, but he wasn’t overly down about one difficult start. He’s a more disciplined person and pitcher than when I covered him in 2012 in Short-A Hudson Valley. And his devotion to learning and growing has helped him every step of the way.