Drillers' Defense Should Shine in 2010

The glove work should be the team's strength this season, especially up the middle.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:37 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Apr 6, 2010 10:38 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

MORE on Oklahoma Sports

Pitching's the Question Mark for 2010 Drillers

Expect Speed and Power from 2010 Drillers

TULSA, Oklahoma – Hector Gomez and Daniel Mayora will be called upon to carry the load on defense in 2010 for the Drillers. The double play combo up the middle headline an outstanding defensive team that opens up the season Thursday night downtown at beautiful new ONEOK Field.

“Our strength’s going to be from the middle on up,” said manager Ron Gideon.

Defense was not the team’s strongest attribute last year. The Drillers finished the year with 152 errors, just seven shy of the league’s high-end. They threw out just 32 percent of base stealers.

“On paper it looks great,” said Gideon. “I think our defense is going to be fine.”

Catcher will be a strong position for the Drillers. The team has a trio of young stars that it can call upon to catch multiple pitchers in multiple situations. Dayton Buller, Johnny Bowden and Wilin Rosario will split time behind the plate for the Drillers.

Rosario is considered the Rockies’ top minor league catching prospect but will have to overcome injuries problems. He played in just 58 games a year ago in his first year of professional baseball.

The weather could affect the way the team plays at times. Windy conditions could make for interesting fly ball chases in spring for outfielders. On overly gusty nights, the team will have to position outfielders to account for the wind.

“I think once summer gets here, it’s going to get heated up, the wind’s going to die down and the ball’s going to carry more,” said Gideon. “It might turn into a band box. I don’t know.”

The direction that the stadium faces could also present a problem for the first few innings of night games. Angled towards the southwest, players will have to deal with the setting sun and the shadows it will cast over the first base line until around 7:45.

The Drillers open up the season against Corpus Christi on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.