Minor League Baseball Ready for First Pitch

Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa are home to home openers on Thursday.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

Minor League Baseball Ready for First Pitch

Originally Published: Apr 8, 2010 10:15 AM CDT

Preview | Watch Live at 7:05 p.m.

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

While these games may not have the weight of Major League Baseball’s opening day, Oklahoma is host to two opening day games on Thursday. The Oklahoma City RedHawks and Tulsa Drillers each begin their seasons and each are expecting packed houses.

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect at each game.

Corpus Christi Hooks at Tulsa Drillers, 7:05 CDT
OneOK Field, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Watch live on Oklahoma Sports

Pitching Matchup
TUL: Christian Friedrich (6-5, 2.41 ERA, 119.2 IP in 2009)
CC: Sergio Perez (11-11, 4.68 ERA, 142.1 IP in 2009)

The Skinny
Christian Friedrich is considered by most to be the Colorado Rockies’ best prospect. The lefty is reminiscent of Barry Zito with his devastating curveball. In two full seasons, he struck out 224 in 168 innings. If these kind of results continue and the Rockies are in the hunt for a playoff spot, he’ll be finishing the season in Denver.

Shortstop Hector Gomez is another Rockie-in-waiting with a lot of potential. General considered one of the team’s top 5 prospects, Gomez has proven ability in the field and has shown some positive things with his bat. Plate discipline is the chief concern for Gomez, but if he starts to put it together he could have a long career in front of him.

Also returning is outfielder Ryan Harvey, who led the club in home runs last year. Other names of note include prospects Dominican catcher Wilin Rosario and Venezuelan infielder Daniel Mayora.

For the Hooks, Sergio Perez returns for his second season. Last year, he struggled with a 4.68 ERA and walked 60 while striking out 72. Those numbers must improve for the right-hander to be considered a serious prospect.

Though the Houston Astros are rebuilding a bit, it does have a few players of note in Corpus Christi. Outfielder Jonathan Gaston crushed 35 home runs last season, albeit with 164 punchouts. And a familiar name is creeping through the Astros farm system, though he’s doing it on offense. Last season, Koby Clemens was near the top of most offensive stat categories for the 2009 season, leading all Astros prospects with 123 RBI, .415 OBP and .620 SLG.

Albuquerque Isotopes at Oklahoma City RedHawks, 7:05 CDT
Bricktown Ballpark, Oklahoma City

Pitching Matchup
OKC: Derek Holland (8-13, 6.12 ERA, 138.1 IP with the Texas Rangers in 2009)
ALB: James McDonald (5-5, 4.00 ERA, 63 IP with the L.A. Dodgers in 2009)

The Skinny
Former top prospect and still highly-touted southpaw Derek Holland takes the bump for the RedHawks in the opener. The Rangers will start him in Triple-A for the foreseeable future to get him some seasoning after being pelted last season. He’s still just 23 years old and the Rangers know the value of developing young talent. They’re not worried, nor should Rangers fans be. He’ll oppose 25 year-old James McDonald, who offers a low 90’s fastball and a sometimes-stomach-turning, looping curveball.

The person to stay in your seat for is obviously first baseman Justin Smoak. The first two months of the Triple-A season is basically serving as an audition for the ultra-talented slugger, who reminds many of Mark Teixeira due to his slick glove and power potential.

Other players looking to prove their worth for the RedHawks include Chad Tracy and Brandon Boggs, each suffering demotions after sub-par big league showings.

The hilariously-named Albuquerque Isotopes – a reference to the television show The Simpsons – have been affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2009. It’s a mix of young and old talent for the club this season.

Ivan DeJesus, Jr. was impressive in his early minor league showings but a broken leg last season and a depth in the middle infield for the Dodgers have led to questions regarding DeJesus. He’ll start at second base for the Isotopes and hope to regain his form from 2008, when he hit .324 with a .842 OPS with AA Jacksonville.

Like the Triple-A affiliate for any contender, the Isotopes have a number of former major leaguers who serve as organizational depth. Jay Gibbons, who hit 26 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2005, and Nick Green, who played in 103 games for the Boston Red Sox last season, headline the list of players trying to get back to the show.