LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS Loons in the Majors We spotlight former Loons, now in the Big Leagues.
11 Pages Loons Home Run King 20 year old Andy Pages breaks single season and alltime Loons home run records.
13 Loons Roster Get to know your 2021 Great Lakes Loons!
22 Also in this Issue 5 Need to Know 7 Loons by the Numbers 8 Loons Timeline 15 All-Time Loons in the Majors 19 2021 Loons Coaching Staff 27 2021 Loons Training Staff 28 Loons Records 31 Affiliates
32 36 38 41 45 46
Franchise Record-Tying 18 Runs in Series Opening Win (9/8/21) Wild Six-Run Ninth Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive (9/12/21) Parking and Seating Maps Alternative Food Options High-A Central Teams Dodgers Prospecs to Watch
Copyright © 2021 Great Lakes Loons Content Contributors: Brad Tunney, Chris Jared, Elizabeth Getzinger Special Thanks: Los Angeles Dodgers, High-A Central, Minor League Baseball Advanced Media
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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COVID-19 Reminders
Staying Safe at the Ballpark Your safety is our top priority. That’s why we want to remind you of some simple ways to stay safe while enjoying the game.
Wear a facemask at all times except when eating or drinking Remain in your designated seating location unless visiting one of the amenities Follow the directional markers on the ground for correct traffic flow Avoid touching your face, eyes and nose Wash your hands for 20 seconds Use the many hand sanitizer stations throughout the ballpark Thank you for cheering on our Great Lakes Loons and for keeping our community safe.
GO LOONS!
UPDATED
NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION Cashless Payment Policy For your safety, Dow Diamond has transitioned to a cashless venue for ALL sales transactions. This includes parking, ticket sales, concessions, and Loon Loft purchases. Guest without debit, credit, or mobile payment capabilities can convert cash into a Loons gift card at the Guest Services Ticket Window with NO FEES or EXTRA CHARGES. Gift cards are reloadable, however, unused gift card balances cannot be redeemed for cash.
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
5
EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS
People with disabilities add value to the workplace. Click here to share a photo of your favorite disability-friendly business for a chance to win a $50 gift card of your choice!
800-782-4160
www.dnmm.org
LOONS BY THE NUMBERS
3.1 MILLION
fans have passed through the gates of Dow Diamond since 2007.
6,671
fans set the Loons single game attendance record in 2019.
11
unique venues inside of Dow Diamond for food, fun, and family-friendly entertainment.
$1,300,000 donated by Michigan Baseball Foundation back to the Great Lakes Bay Region through its grant program.
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
7
LOONS TIMELINE Jan 18, 2006 Michigan Baseball Foundation purchases Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and relocates team to Midland.
Aug 26, 2006 The new team is officially unveiled as the Great Lakes Loons, set for play in the 2007 season.
Sep 26, 2006 The Loons announce a Player Development Contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
May 25, 2008 Clayton Kershaw becomes the first former Loon to make his Major League Baseball debut.
Apr 13, 2007 The Loons play their first game at Dow Diamond with a sellout crowd of 5,454 against the Lansing Lugnuts.
Jun 17, 2008 Dow Diamond plays host to the 2008 Midwest League All-Star game.
Sep 9, 2009 The Loons defeat the West Michigan Whitecaps 7-2 at Dow Diamond in the first playoff game in franchise history.
Jun 25, 2010 Aug 26, 2011 The Loons celebrate their 5th Anniversary.
The Loons welcome their one millionth fan through the gates of Dow Diamond.
Apr 22, 2014 The Loons notch their 500th win in franchise history with an 11-8 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Apr 12, 2012 Rall E. Camel is introduced to Loons faithful as the newest mascot of the Loons.
Jun 19, 2014 The Loons welcome their two millionth fan through the gates of Dow Diamond.
Feb 13, 2016 The Loons celebrate their 10th Anniversary.
Sep 18, 2016 Jun 20, 2017 Dow Diamond plays host to the 2017 Midwest League All-Star Game.
The Loons defeat the Clinton LumberKings 9-8 to claim their first Midwest League Championship.
Feb 22, 2018 The Loons debut a new 31’ x 80’ videoboard to the public at Dow Diamond.
May 21, 2019 John Shoemaker wins his 226th game as Great Lakes Loons manager, becoming the all-time winningest manager in Loons history.
Aug 23, 2019
May 25, 2019 The Loons welcome their three millionth fan through the gates of Dow Diamond.
The Loons set a new franchise single-game attendance record when 6,671 fans pack Dow Diamond.
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
9
Loons in the Majors Luke Raley
One of the more interesting roads to the major-league level lies within the file of Loons’ 2016 outfielder Luke Raley. Los Angeles drafted Raley out of Lake Erie College in the 7th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and immediately helped Great Lakes to their first Midwest League title in the same year. Raley steadily progressed through the Dodgers’ system before finding himself involved in a three-team trade that sent Raley to the Twins. In 33 games with the Twins’ AAA 2019 Rochester Red Wings, Raley averaged .302 at the plate. Minnesota would then find issues with the medical condition of fellow trade piece Brusdar Graterol, undoing the three-team trade and sending Raley back to the Dodgers. After being a part of LA’s taxi squad to begin 2021, the Dodgers notified Raley he’d be making his MLB debut a half hour before the team’s ring ceremony in front of 15,000 at Dodger Stadium.
Zach McKinstry
Another product of the 2016 Great Lakes Loons, Toledo-native Zach McKinstry began 2021 exceeding the Dodgers’ expectations after the off-season departure of Kike Hernandez to Boston. McKinstry’s teammates/family didn’t have to travel far to see him play in Dow Diamond from 2016-18, almost half an hour from his alma mater. Following a sluggish .193 average in 25 games with AA Tulsa in 2018, McKinstry smashed a mind-boggling .382 at AAA Oklahoma City in 2019. Aside from his positive play at the plate, McKinstry’s biggest attribute comes with his defensive versatility, playing every position except pitcher, catcher, and first base in 2019. The 26-year-old began 2021 playing left/right field and second base for the Dodgers, performing wherever they need him to.
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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Loons in the Majors Dustin May
Right-hander Dustin May highlights some of the recent Loons to make their Dodger debut in the last few years, compiling a MWL All-Star season in 2017. Despite debuting in August 2019, May landed a spot in his first full year on Baseball America’s MLB All-Rookie Team in 2020, holding a WHIP of 1.09 in 56 innings. May appeared twice in the 2020 World Series, en route to helping the Dodgers win their first title in over 30 years. In his 2017 MWL All-Star season with the Loons, May struck out 113 batters in 123 innings, allowing only 26 walks. At just 23 years old, May is one of the youngest active Dodgers, only behind Gavin Lux (23) and Brusdar Graterol (22). The right-hander from Justin, TX joins a Dodgers’ pitching staff that houses three Cy Young winners in Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, and David Price.
Gavin Lux
Second-baseman Gavin Lux became the second 2017 Loons product to appear on the 2019 Dodgers, joining former teammate Dustin May exactly one month after his debut. The native of Kenosha, WI, Lux was the 20th-overall draft pick in the 2016 MLB Draft out of Indian Trail HS, and appeared in 111 games for Great Lakes the following year. In 2018, Lux averaged .324 at the plate for both Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa, a combined 524 at-bats. The 2019 season is when Lux really popped, averaging an astonishing .392 in 199 plate appearances, earning the call-up for his Dodger debut on September 2, 2019.
12
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
Pages Loons Home Run King While in Grand Rapids during the series against the West Michigan Whitecaps, 20 year old Andy Pages took control of the Loons single-season and all-time home run records. On Thursday, September 10th, Pages hit his 27th home run making him the single-season home run leader. The following night, he hit another home run which tied him for the Loons all-time home run record of 28. During the Sunday game, Pages slammed 2 home runs, ensuring his spot as the Loons home run king.
CURRENT STATS (9/14/21) Hits 113 Runs 94 Total Bases 229 HR 30 RBI 86 AVG .269 OBP .396 SLG .545 OPS .941
HIGH-A CENTRAL STATS (9/14/21) #1 HR - 30 #1 R - 94 #1 OPS - .941 #1 SLG - .540 #2 H - 113 #2 OBP - .396 #2 RBI - 86
L O O N S M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 0 S E A S O N • I S S U E 01 LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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fIock. BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.
Our mascots, Coop and Louie, have a lot in common. Both represent organizations that care about community and know our brightest future is buiIt on empowering our youth to champion athletic and academic success. We are proud to be nationally recognized for community engagement and as a “Great College to Work For®” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. SVSU is also proud to be a long-time sponsor of the Great Lakes Loons baseball organization.
svsu.edu
14
L O O N S M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 0 S E A S O N • I S S U E 01
ALL-TIME LOONS IN THE MAJORS PLAYER NAME RHP Cory Wade LHP Clayton Kershaw LHP Victor Garate C Carlos Santana 3B Josh Bell RHP Kenley Jansen OF/1B Jerry Sands RHP Javy Guerra RHP Rubby de la Rosa RHP Josh Lindblom SS Dee Gordon OF Trayvon Robinson RHP Nathan Eovaldi OF/1B Scott Van Slyke UT Elian Herrera RHP Shawn Tolleson RHP Steve Johnson RHP Josh Wall LHP Paco Rodriguez RHP Bryan Morris RHP Allen Webster RHP Matt Magill RHP Jose Dominguez RHP Luis Garcia RHP Steve Ames RHP Ethan Martin OF Andrew Lambo OF Nick “Chili” Buss RHP Red Patterson RHP Pedro Baez RHP Jumbo Diaz RHP Carlos Frias OF Joc Pederson RHP Yimi Garcia INF Rafael Ynoa LHP Daniel Coulombe LF Daniel Fields OF Scott Schebler RHP Zach Lee RHP Scott McGough INF Darnell Sweeney INF Corey Seager
YEAR 2008 2007 2008 2007 2007 2007-08 2009-10 2009-10 2010 2008 2009 2007 2009 2007-08 2007, 09 2011 2007-08 2007, 10 2012 2008 2010 2010 2012 2009 2010 2009 2008 2019-10 2011 2008 2007 2013 2011 2012 2010 2012 2016 2012 2011 2011 2012 2013
DEBUT 4/24/08 - LAD 5/25/08 - LAD 9/5/09 - WSH 6/11/10 - CLE 7/1/10 - BAL 7/24/10 - LAD 4/18/11 - LAD 5/15/11 - LAD 5/24/11 - LAD 6/1/11 - LAD 6/6/11 - LAD 8/5/11 - SEA 8/6/11 - LAD 5/9/12 - LAD 5/15/12 - LAD 6/7/12 - LAD 7/15/12 - BAL 7/22/12 - LAD 9/9/12 - LAD 9/14/12 - PIT 4/21/13 - BOS 4/27/13 - LAD 6/30/13 - LAD 7/10/13 - PHI 7/30/13 - MIA 8/2/13 - PHI 8/13/13 - PIT 9/14/13 - LAD 5/1/14 - LAD 5/5/14 - LAD 6/20/14 - CIN 8/4/14 - LAD 9/1/14 - LAD 9/1/14 - LAD 9/1/14 - COL 9/16/14 - LAD 6/4/2015 - DET 6/5/15 - LAD 7/25/15 - NYM 8/20/15 - MIA 8/20/15 - PHI 9/3/15 - LAD
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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ALL-TIME LOONS IN THE MAJORS PLAYER NAME RHP Ross Stripling LHP Julio Urias RHP Brock Stewart RHP Jose De Leon RHP Jharel Cotton OF/RHP Blake Smith C Kyle Farmer RHP Angel Sanchez OF Alex Verdugo OF O’Koyea Dickson RHP Jacob Rhame RHP Walker Buehler UT Willie Calhoun RHP Victor Arano CF Noel Cuevas RHP Trevor Oaks INF Jesmuel Valentin RHP Scott Barlow 3B Brandon Dixon RHP Dennis Santana LHP Caleb Ferguson RHP Jeff Brigham INF Matt Beaty OF Kyle Garlick LHP Devin Smeltzer C Will Smith RHP Josh Sborz RHP Tony Gonsolin INF Edwin Rios RHP Dustin May SS Gavin Lux RHP Andre Scrubb LHP Victor Gonzalez C Keibert Ruiz RHP Mitchell White RHP Dean Kremer UT Zach McKinstry RHP Brett De Geus RHP Jordan Sheffield OF Luke Raley RHP Zach Pop
16
YEAR 2015 2013 2015 2014 2013, 15 2010 2014 2011, 13 2015 2012 2014 2016 2015 2014 2012 2015 2013-14 2014 2013 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015 2017 2016 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2015 2017 2016 2016 2016 2019 2016 2016 2018
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
DEBUT 4/8/16 - LAD 5/27/16 - LAD 6/29/16 - LAD 9/4/16 - LAD 9/7/16 - OAK 9/10/16 - CWS 7/30/17 - LAD 8/24/17 - PIT 9/1/17 - LAD 9/2/17 - LAD 9/2/17 - NYM 9/7/17 - LAD 9/12/17 - TEX 9/12/17 - PHI 4/22/18 - COL 4/28/18 - KC 4/29/18 - PHI 4/30/18 - KC 5/22/18 - CIN 6/1/18 - LAD 6/6/18 - LAD 9/2/18 - MIA 4/30/19 - LAD 5/19/19 - LAD 5/28/19 - MIN 5/28/19 - LAD 6/20/19 - LAD 6/26/19 - LAD 6/27/19 - LAD 8/2/19 - LAD 9/2/19 - LAD 7/28/20 - HOU 7/31/20 - LAD 8/16/20 - LAD 8/28/20 - LAD 9/6/20 - BAL 9/16/20 - LAD 4/1/21 - TEX 4/2/21 - COL 4/9/21 - LAD 4/3/21 - MIA 83 TOTAL (As of April 2021)
Let our team f ind your next home plate!
What can YOU do at CMU? Get hands-on experience and build your résumé before you start your career.
» Help preserve and protect the Great Lakes
» Program a flight simulator » Design clothes for our student-run fashion show
» Win startup $$$ in our New Venture Competition
» Do cancer research with your professor
» Student teach across Michigan or abroad
» Showcase your art, music or photography
We can’t wait to see what you’ll do at CMU. » go.cmich.edu/whatcanido
Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie). 10340 - 6/21 - 3rd edition
2 0 2 1 C O A C H I N G S TA F F Austin Chubb
MANAGER
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Austin Chubb as the Loons’ ninth manager since the team’s inaugural 2007 season. Chubb becomes the first Loon to play for and now manage the club. Chubb, 31, enters his fifth year in the Dodgers’ organization. Los Angeles tabbed Chubb to manage the A-affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2020, before the season was cancelled. Chubb proved himself as a promising manager when he led the Dodgers’ former Rookie-Advanced affiliate Ogden Raptors to a franchise-best 54-22 record in 2019, earning the Pioneer League Manager of the Year. Entering the 2021 season, Chubb has logged over six years as either a player or coach within the Dodgers organization.
Ryan Dennick
PITCHING COACH
David Popkins
HITTING COACH
After being with the Loons as a Development Coach in 2019, Ryan Dennick returns to Midland as the Loons’ pitching coach in 2021. Dennick was set to join Loons’ manager Austin Chubb in Rancho Cucamonga as pitching coach before the cancellation of the 2020 season. Dennick has been in the Dodgers’ organization as a player development coach for the past two seasons.
Entering his third year in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, David Popkins joins the Loons’ staff for his first season after logging nearly 300 games as a right-handed pitcher. Popkins enters his third season in the Dodgers’ organization after signing with Los Angeles as a free agent in 2019. Popkins was most recently in Ogden for the 2019 season, along with Loons’ manager Austin Chubb.
Elain Herrera
BENCH COACH
Former Great Lake Loon and Los Angeles Dodger Elian Herrera joins the Great Lakes Loons 2021 field staff as a bench coach. Herrera, a four-year big leaguer, begins his third season within the Dodgers’ organization.
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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L O O N S M A G A Z I N E • 2 0 2 0 S E A S O N • I S S U E 01
21
2 0 2 1 G R E AT P I TC H E R S 29 Aldry Acosta
52 Braidyn Fink
HEIGHT:
6’4”
WEIGHT:
225
BATS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
RIGHT
DOB:
9/7/99
FROM: ACQUIRED:
CARACAS, VE INT’L FA, 2016
30 Jeff Belge
6’1”
WEIGHT:
215
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
6’5”
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
225
WEIGHT:
THROWS: DOB:
LEFT LEFT 3/7/98 MOORE, OK 19TH RD, 2019
51 Carlos Duran
HEIGHT:
BATS:
LEFT
BATS:
LEFT
THROWS:
12/4/97
DOB:
FROM:
SYRACUSE, NY
FROM:
ACQUIRED:
18TH RD, 2019
ACQUIRED:
6’7” 230 RIGHT RIGHT 7/30/01 NAGUA, DO INT’L FA, 2018
36 Logan Boyer
21 Alec Gamboa
HEIGHT:
6’3”
HEIGHT:
6’1”
WEIGHT:
215
WEIGHT:
205
BATS:
RIGHT
BATS:
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
DOB:
1/24/98
DOB:
FROM:
CHANDLER, AZ
FROM:
ACQUIRED:
11TH RD, 2019
ACQUIRED:
SWITCH LEFT 1/17/97 MADERA, CA 9TH RD, 2019
27 Hyun-il Choi
24 Jose Hernandez
HEIGHT:
6’2”
HEIGHT:
200
WEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
6’3” 170
BATS:
RIGHT
BATS:
LEFT
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
LEFT
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
22
HEIGHT:
5/27/00 SEOUL, KR INT’L FA, 2018
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
12/31/97 PUERTO PLATA, DO INT’L FA, 2016
LAKES LOONS 45 Michael Hobbs HEIGHT:
6’3”
WEIGHT:
220
25 Jose Rodulfo HEIGHT:
6’0”
WEIGHT:
165
BATS:
RIGHT
BATS:
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
7/10/99 CORONA, CA INT’L FA, 2015
RIGHT RIGHT
DOB:
8/20/00
FROM: ACQUIRED:
ANACO, VE INT’L FA, 2016
41 Lael Lockhart
22 Andrew Shaps
HEIGHT:
6’3”
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
220
WEIGHT:
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
SWITCH RIGHT 12/31/97 FRIENDSWOOD, TX 9TH RD, 2021
32 Mike Mokma HEIGHT:
6’7”
WEIGHT:
235
BATS:
FROM: ACQUIRED:
31ST RD, 2018
6’4”
WEIGHT:
RIGHT
THROWS: DOB:
190 RIGHT LEFT 6/6/97
FROM:
CONCORD, NC
ACQUIRED:
15TH RD, 2020
1 Gavin Stone
43 Cole Percival WEIGHT:
PARADISE VALLEY, AZ
HEIGHT:
5/6/98
HEIGHT:
12/5/95
31 Julian Smith
DOB:
NDFA, 2019
LEFT
DOB:
THROWS:
ACQUIRED:
LEFT
THROWS:
BATS:
HOLLAND, MI
185
BATS:
RIGHT
FROM:
6’1”
6’5”
HEIGHT:
220
WEIGHT:
6’1” 175
BATS:
RIGHT
BATS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
RIGHT
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
2/26/99 RIVERSIDE, CA NDFA, 2020
DOB:
10/15/98
FROM:
LAKE CITY, AR
ACQUIRED:
5TH RD, 2020
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10.
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2 0 2 1 G R E AT P I TC H E R S
INFIELDERS 33 Zac Ching
9 Jesus Vargas HEIGHT: WEIGHT: BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
6’2”
HEIGHT:
175
WEIGHT: BATS:
RIGHT
RIGHT
THROWS:
RIGHT
8/18/98 MACUTO, VE INT’L FA, 2014
HEIGHT:
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
5/29/97 AUSTIN, TX 10TH RD, 2019
13 Eddys Leonard 6’1”
WEIGHT:
THROWS:
180
RIGHT
46 Cyrillo Watson
BATS:
5’9”
195 RIGHT RIGHT 8/10897 CUDAHY, WI 23RD RD, 2019
HEIGHT:
6’0”
WEIGHT:
160
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
RIGHT RIGHT 11/10/00 SANTO DOMINGO, DO
INT’L FA, 2017
C AT C H E R S 5 Ryan January 6’4”
HEIGHT:
6’2”
WEIGHT:
200
WEIGHT:
220
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
LEFT RIGHT 5/27/97 SWAMPSCOTT, MA FA, 2020
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
RIGHT RIGHT 10/23/98 GRANADA HILLS, CA 4TH RD, 2019
38 Carson Taylor
10 Deacon Liput
HEIGHT:
6’2”
HEIGHT:
5’10”
WEIGHT:
205
WEIGHT:
185
BATS:
24
16 Brandon Lewis
HEIGHT:
SWITCH
BATS:
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
DOB:
6/2/99
DOB:
FROM:
ATLANTA, GA
FROM:
ACQUIRED:
4TH RD, 2020
ACQUIRED:
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
LEFT RIGHT 6/27/96 ORLANDO, FL 10TH RD, 2018
LAKES LOONS 46 Sam McWilliams
44 Andy Pages
HEIGHT:
6’0”
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
180
WEIGHT:
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM:
BATS:
RIGHT
RIGHT
THROWS:
RIGHT
MENDENHALL, MS 18TH RD, 2018
8 Leonel Valera
DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
6’2”
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
200
WEIGHT:
BATS:
RIGHT
BATS:
THROWS:
RIGHT
THROWS:
DOB:
7/9/99
DOB:
BARINAS,VE
ACQUIRED:
INT’L FA, 2015
14 Jorbit Vivas
FROM: ACQUIRED:
5’10”
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
170
WEIGHT:
BATS:
LEFT
6’2” 200 RIGHT RIGHT 1/23/98 REDWOOD CITY, CA 15TH RD, 2019
RIGHT
THROWS:
DOB:
3/9/01
DOB:
PUERTO CABELLO, VE INT’L FA, 2017
5’11” 200
BATS:
THROWS:
ACQUIRED:
INT’L FA, 2019
15 Ryan Ward
HEIGHT:
FROM:
12/8/00 HAVANA, CU
19 Joe Vranesh
HEIGHT:
FROM:
210
RIGHT
5/26/98
ACQUIRED:
6’1”
FROM: ACQUIRED:
LEFT RIGHT 2/23/98 WORCESTER, MA 8TH RD, 2019
OUTFIELDERS 11 Jonny Deluca HEIGHT:
6’3”
WEIGHT:
215
BATS: THROWS: DOB: FROM: ACQUIRED:
LEFT RIGHT 5/14/97 REDWOOD CITY, CA 7TH RD, 2018
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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2 0 2 1 T R A I N I N G S TA F F GRIFFIN BOYTE
ATHLETIC TRAINING
After spending 2019 in Phoenix as an Athletic Training Intern for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Griffin Boyte joins the Great Lakes Loons’ field staff for the 2021 season. The Union University graduate earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 2018, and served an internship with the Jackson Generals (AA, ARI) for the 2018 season. While in Jackson, Boyte served as trainer for a Generals club that finished 2nd in the Southern League’s North Division, and went on to defeat Biloxi for the Southern League’s title. A native of St. Louis, Boyte has logged over two years in the Dodgers’ organization as a trainer.
SAM NICKELSEN
PERFOMANCE COACH
Sam Nickelson was poised to join the Dodgers’ 2020 High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes field staff before the season abruptly ended in April. Nickelson joined the Dodgers’ staff in November 2019 after spending nearly three years assisting the Minor League Performance Director of the New York Mets during Spring Training in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Prior to joining the Mets in 2017, Nickelson served two years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with the University of Tampa, his alma mater. Following earning his Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Nutrition at UT , Nickelson designed training programs for Baseball / Cross Country / Track and Field.
JOHN MURPHY, D.O.
MIDMICHIGAN HEALTH TEAM ORTHOPAEIST Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and former professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals John Murphy, D.O., of MidMichigan Physicians Group, provides orthopaedic sports medicine support for the Loons. He received his medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO, and completed an orthopaedic residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Flint. He is a member of several professional organizations including the American Osteopathic Association of Orthopaedics, Michigan Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the Michigan Orthopaedic Society, just to name a few. Dr. Murphy practices in Midland and Gladwin and is on the active medical staff of MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. He resides in Midland with his wife, Christina, who is a gastroenterologist and their two daughters.
J.T. PINNEY, M.D.
MIDMICHIGAN HEALTH TEAM PHYSICIAN
Board-certified family practitioner and sports medicine specialist J.T. Pinney, M.D., provides primary care sports medicine support for the Loons. He is board certified in family medicine and holds a certificate of added qualifications in sports medicine. Dr. Pinney is the medical director of WellSport, the sports medicine program at MidMichigan Health. He also is an assistant professor of family medicine at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Pinney is a member of several professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, just to name a few. He completed his medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and his family medicine residency at MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland. Dr. Pinney practices with MidMichigan Physicians Group in Midland and Mt. Pleasant and resides in Midland with his wife, Lydia, who is also a physician and is the vice president of quality and safety for MidMichigan Health. The couple has two grown children. LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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LOONS RECORDS
CAREER RECORDS BATTING AVERAGE Brian Cavazos-Galve Jerry Sands Eduardo Perez
GAMES PLAYED James Baldwin Alfredo Silverio Preston Mattingly
AT-BATS
Alfredo Silverio James Baldwin Preston Mattingly
RUNS
Alfredo Silverio James Baldwin Two Tied at
HITS
Aldredo Silverio Eduardo Perez Christian Lara
DOUBLES
Alfredo Silverio Paul Hoenecke Brian Cavazos-Galvez
TRIPLES
.318 .311 .302
James Baldwin Dee Gordon Leon Landry
241 227 215
Kyle Russell Carlos Rincon Jerry Sands Alfredo Silverio
866 809 787 112 111 110 238 188 183 49 47 43
HOMERUNS
RUNS BATTED IN
Angelo Songco Alfredo Silverio Kyle Russell
WALKS
Malcolm Holland Tyler Ogle James Baldwin
STOLEN BASES
James Baldwin Dee Gordon Malcolm Holland
14 12 11 26 25 23 23 107 106 102 107 102 86 95 73 69
*ON-BASE PERCENTAGE
Jerry Sands Tyler Ogle Tony Delmonico
.411 .391 .383
* SLUGGING PERCENTAGE Jerry Sands .605 Kyle Russell .545 Brian Cavazos-Galvez .520
INNINGS PITCHED
WINS
STRIKEOUTS
JonMichael Redding Josh Wall Three Tied at
16 15 13
+ EARNED RUN AVERAGE Garrett Gould Michael Boyle Allen Webster
APPEARANCES Miguel Ramirez Miguel Sanfler Steve Smith
GAMES STARTED Josh Wall Justin Miller Two Tied at
SAVES
Miguel Ramirez Luis Vasquez Craig Stem
2.40 2.84 2.88 84 81 70 50 46 38 35 20 18
SINGLE-SEASON RECORDS BATTING AVERAGE
Brian Cavazos-Galve (‘10) .318 Eduardo Perez (‘07) .311 Dee Gordon (‘09) .301
GAMES PLAYED Scott Schebler (‘12) Jaime Pedroza (‘09) Angelo Songco (‘10)
AT-BATS
Dee Gordon (‘09) Jaime Pedroza (‘09) Joey Curletta (‘14)
RUNS
Jaime Pedroza (‘09) Dee Gordon (‘09) Kyle Russell (‘09)
137 HOMERUNS 136 Kyle Russell (‘09) 135 Cody Thomas (‘17) Jon Garcia (‘11) Blake Smith (‘10) 538 520 RUNS BATTED IN Kyle Russell (‘09) 516 Andrew Lambo (‘08) Jaime Pedroza (‘09) 100 96 90
HITS
Dee Gordon (‘09) 162 Brian Cavazos-Galvez (‘10) 156 Joey Curletta (‘14) 143
DOUBLES
Brian Cavazos-Galvez (‘10) Kyle Russell (‘09) Paul Hoenecke (‘14)
28
TRIPLES
Dee Gordon (‘09) Leon Landry (‘11) Jovanny Rosario (‘08) Casio Grider (‘10)
43 39 37
WALKS
Tyler Ogle (‘13) Jaime Pedroza (‘09) Kyle Russell (‘09)
STOLEN BASES
Dee Gordon (‘09) James Baldwin (‘12) Brayan Morales (‘18)
12 11 10 10 26 20 19 19 102 79 78 96 78 72 73 53 46
*ON-BASE PERCENTAGE
Tyler Ogle (‘13) Tony Delmonico (‘09) Kyle Russell (‘09)
.401 .383 .371
Justin Miller Josh Wall Brandon Martinez
289.2 282.1 225
Josh Wall Justin Miller
254 177
DOUBLE PLAYS INDUCED Justin Miller Four Tied at
38 15
BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST^ Matt Magill .194 Blake Brannon .195 Clayton Kershaw .201
HOLDS
Steve Smith Bret Montgomery Luis Meza
20 12 11
* Minimum 378 plate appearances (2.7 per game x 140 games) + Minimum 112 innings pitched ^ Minimum 308 batters faced
* SLUGGING PERCENTAGE Kyle Russell (‘09) .545 Brian Cavazos-Galvez (‘10) .520 Blake Smith (‘10) .488
INNINGS PITCHED
WINS
STRIKEOUTS
JonMichael Redding (‘09) Geoff Brown (‘13) Allen Webster (‘10)
16 12 12
+ EARNED RUN AVERAGE Garrett Gould (‘11) Allen Webster (‘10) Matt Magill (‘10)
APPEARANCES
Jacob Rhame (‘14) Luis Meza (‘13) Michael Johnson (‘14)
GAMES STARTED
Bobby Blevins (‘09) Josh Wall (‘10) JonMichael Redding (‘09)
SAVES
Luis Vasquez (‘10) Miguel Ramirez (‘08) Two Tied at
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
2.40 2.88 3.28
Bobby Blevins (‘09) Josh Wall (‘10) Justin Miller (‘08) Bobby Blevins (‘09) Josh Wall (‘10) Justin Miller (‘08)
153.2 153 140 153.2 153 140
DOUBLE PLAYS INDUCED Justin Miller (‘08) Justin Miller (‘09) Miguel Sanfler (‘07)
19 15 12
BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST^ 51 Matt Magill (‘10) .194 51 Angel Sanchez (‘11) .198 50 Clayton Kershaw (‘07) .203 27 26 26 20 20 16
HOLDS
Steve Smith (‘10) Bret Montgomery (‘11) Luis Meza (‘13)
* Minimum 378 plate appearances (2.7 per game x 140 games) + Minimum 112 innings pitched ^ Minimum 308 batters faced
17 12 11
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1 Arizona League Dodgers - Arizona League - Rookie Glendale, AZ 2,039 Miles from Dow Diamond - 363 Miles from Dodger Stadium
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3 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - California League - Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, CA 2,254 Miles from Dow Diamond - 47.5 Miles from Dodger Stadium
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960 Miles from Dow Diamond - 1,437 Miles from Dodger Stadium
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6 Los Angeles Dodgers - National League - MLB Los Angeles, CA 2,299 Miles from Dow Diamond - 0 Miles from Dodger Stadium
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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Franchise Record-Tying 18 Runs in Series Opening Win Chris Jared
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (Sept 8,2021) – Beginning the final two-week period of the 2021 regular season, the Great Lakes Loons (60-49) won their third-consecutive game with a franchise recordtying 18 runs Tuesday night at Comstock Park against the West Michigan Whitecaps (53-58), 18-7. The Loons haven’t lost once in their last five Tuesday contests. Great Lakes exploded with three different five-run innings, scoring three in the top of the seventh to tie the franchise mark of 18 runs in a single game set by the 2009 Loons on August 20 against the South Bend Cubs. Tuesday night’s 18 runs tops the season record of 17 scored on August 24 in Eastlake, OH when the Loons slugged six HRs against Lake County. Right-handed starter Gavin Stone played his part, providing seven strikeouts in four scoreless and hitless innings, allowing just one walk. Defensively, Great Lakes allowed no runs through six innings and led 18-1 into the bottom of the ninth. Kevin Malisheski (W, 4-0) relieved Stone in the fifth with consecutive strikeouts before exiting with an apparent hand injury. Quickly needed out of the bullpen, Jose Rodulfo provided the Loons two innings of work, allowing one run on a pair of hits. The Loons shipped ten batters to the plate in the second inning for their first five-run frame of three. A pair of doubles from Joe Vranesh and Jonny DeLuca doubles would begin the night’s scoring. Doubles were a bit of a trend for the Loons’ offense, finishing with six to tie a team season-high. With two outs, Andy Pages scored two with his first hit of a four-hit night. It’s the eighth time this season a Loon has recorded four hits in a single game, but the first for the 20-year-old Pages, who leads the league in home runs, OPS, extra-base hits and runs, and second in total bases, walks drawn, hits, runs batted in, and on-base percentage. With a 3-for-4 night, Leonel Valera busted out of a sluggish stretch set in August that saw a .145 batting average in 21 games. Valera failed to reach in the fifth inning on a fielder’s choice as his only time retired in five at-bats in Tuesday’s win, recording a game-high eight total bases with a pair of doubles and his 16th HR of the year. Jorbit Vivas continued an on-base streak that dates back to his first game with Great Lakes on August 25 with a 2-for-4 night, picking up his first Loons longball in the ninth inning. The on-base streak for Vivas climbs to 23, a stretch that started with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on August 11. Vivas is 11-for-27 in six games with Great Lakes to begin the month of September, boasting a .407 batting average. Deacon Liput broadened his horizons with a 3-for-4 night as he crossed the plate three times and also made his season debut on the mound for Great Lakes, allowing two runs on four hits before recording the final out of the ninth inning. Eddys Leonard knocked a three-run blast in the fourth inning off Whitecaps newly inserted Jared Tobey in what was the left-hander’s first HR allowed in his 30th game of the season. Tobey entered Tuesday with a team-best 1.87 earned-run average in 43 1/3 innings pitched before Leonard took him deep as his first batter faced.
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LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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1 Beloit Snappers Oakland Athletics 2 Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins 3 Dayton Dragons Cincinnati Reds 4 Fort Wayne TinCaps San Diego Padres 5 Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers 6 Lake County Captains Cleveland Indians
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Wild Six-Run Ninth Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive Chris Jared
COMSTOCK PARK, MI (Sept 12, 2021) – In one of the wildest games of the season, the Great Lakes Loons (62-52) found another way to amaze with a six-run ninth inning on Sunday, completing the comeback against the West Michigan Whitecaps (56-58), 10-7. Homering earlier in the sixth inning, Andy Pages hit his second of the game with two outs in the ninth to give the Loons an 8-7 lead. Pages, 20, is the only player amongst all minor-leaguers to eclipse 30 home runs in 2021 with one club, sitting tied for fifth for the most HRs this year overall. Pages is tied with teammate Brandon Lewis, who has slugged 20 with Great Lakes after hitting 10 in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. Sunday’s regulation game needed a franchise record-tying four hours and four minutes, needing a franchise record-tying seven GL pitchers. The Loons surrendered 12 walks to set a new season-high, but held the Whitecaps to finish 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position. The ‘Caps left 16 runners aboard. Great Lakes answered a 1-0 deficit with two runs in the fifth inning and reached the scoreboard on a double from Leonel Valera, his first of two hits of the game. The Loons extended their lead with the first Pages HR in the sixth but got an ensuing two-run sixth from West Michigan to re-tie Sunday’s series finale. Following the second hit from Valera, Ryan Ward smoked his 20th double of the season off the center field wall to help give the Loons a 4-3 lead. West Michigan responded by putting their first two men aboard in the bottom of the eighth for Gage Workman, who seemingly provided Sunday’s game with the biggest blow to put West Michigan in front, 7-4, with three outs left. The six-run rally began with Jonny DeLuca popping out on three pitches from Sandel De La Cruz (L, 1-3). January hit his tenth HR in the next at-bat, still leaving the Loons with two runs to account for. Deacon Liput continued to heat up the offense with a double, bringing the game’s tying run to the plate with one out. De La Cruz responded with a strikeout on Valera and threatened the Loons’ rally, along with their postseason chances. Ward walked to put two on with two out in the ninth, a moment that called on Pages one more time. De La Cruz hung an off-speed pitch on the first offer to Pages, who left no doubt if it would clear the left-field wall. Not quite finished, Great Lakes increased the intensity with a Jorbit Vivas walk and single from Eddys Leonard. As the ninth batter of the inning, Zac Ching was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, recalling DeLuca to the plate for the second time in the inning. DeLuca also went first-pitch hunting, driving a single into left to score two and insuring the Loons lead. Needing three more outs to complete the Sunday stunner, Braidyn Fink (W, 2-4) recorded two outs on three pitches before allowing a two-out single from Jake Holton, who reached base safely in six trips to the plate. Sunday’s game still had more theatrics, as Gage Workman popped up to the Loons infield in the next at-bat, which fell out of the glove of Zac Ching and brought the tying run to the plate. After a 3-1 start to the count, Fink picked up back-to-back strikes to mail in the win. A Sunday win felt essential to keep playoff hopes alive for Great Lakes, entering the day two games out of the final playoff spot. Along with a Sunday Cedar Rapids loss, Great Lakes will begin a six-game series at Dow Diamond against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday, as they eye an opportunity to clinch the final playoff spot in the High-A Central.
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LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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e h T
g n zi a m A
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h s ra lT ca o V
e liv n! ith fu w of or ur t u y f o o nt rg of ! t h le .o ll ts ig p r a n n nd te n ve ily a en o e m ic c n e r fa ag nd atio m a a y , m dl rm um jo c i fo s n si E u t m in ing m i s i re m V o o m pc u
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B ke I ro e C NT th D O F E e o O rs k R N A e G R C A e E A E C S L R TI ! L T V S E
S FA U S MM E M R IL E IE Y R S
HIGH-A CENTRAL LANSING LUGNUTS
BELOIT SNAPPERS
Lansing, MI
Beloid, WI
Affiliation: Miami Marlins (2021) Stadium: ABC Supply Stadium (2021) Manager: Mike Jacobs Pitching Coach: Bruce Walton Hitting Coach: Matt Snyder Defensive Coach: Chris Briones
CEDAR RAPIDS KERNALS Minnesota Twins (2013) Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium (2002) Manager: Brian Dinkelman Pitching Coach: Mark Maoriarty / Richard Salazar Hitting Coach: Bryce Berg Coach: Jairo Rodriguez
Dayton, OH
Cincinnati Red (2013) Day Air Credit Union Ballpark (2000) Jose Moreno Brian Garman Dayle Ward Darren Bragg
FORT WAYNE TINCAPS
St. Louis Cardinals (2013) Dozer Park (2002) Chris Swauger Rick Harig Joey Hawkins
Davenport, IO
Affiliation: Kansas City Royals (2021) Stadium: Modern Woodman Park (1931) Manager: Chris Widger Pitching Coach: Steve Luebber Hitting Coach: Andy LaRoche Bench Coach: Mike Jirschele
SOUTH BEND CUBS
Fort Wayne, IN
San Diego Padres (1999) Parkview Field (2009) Anthony Contreras Jimmy Jones Jonathan Mathews Felipe Blanco
GREAT LAKES LOONS
South Bend, IN
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Assistant Coach:
Chicago Cubs (2015) Four Winds Field (1987) Michael Ryan Tony Cougoule Paul McAnulty Eric Patterson
WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS
Midland, MI
Comstock Park, MI
Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers (2007) Stadium: Dow Diamond (2007) Manager: Austin Chubb Pitching Coach: Ryan Dennick Hitting Coach: David Popkins Bench Coach: Elain Herrera
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Devt. Coach:
Detroit Tigers (1997) Fifth Third Ballpark (1994) Brayan Pena Willie Blair Bill Springman Kevin Guthrie
WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS
Eastlake, OH
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Bench Coach:
Peoria, IL
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach:
QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS
DAYTON DRAGON
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Fielding Coach:
Oakland A’s (2021) Jackson Field (2021) Scott Steinmann Don Schulze Javier Godard Anthony Phillips
PEORIA CHIEFS
Cedar Rapids, IO
Affiliation: Stadium:
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Devt. Coach:
Affiliation: Stadium: Manager: Pitching Coach: Hitting Coach: Assistant Coach:
Cleveland Indians (1991) Classic Park (2003) Greg DiCenzo Kevin Eminio Grant Fink Jordan Smith
Appleton, WI
Affiliation: Milwaukee Brewers (2009) Stadium: Neuroscience Group Field (1995) Manager: Matt Erickson Pitching Coach: Hiram Burgos Hitting Coach: Nick Stanley
LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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PROSPECTS TO WATCH
BOBBY MILLER RHP - 6’5, 220 – R/R
A 1st-round draft pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, right-hander Bobby Miller made his Dodgers’ organizational debut in 2021 Spring Training, striking out five batters in 5.1 IP, holding a WHIP of 0.375. Standing on the mound at 6’5, 220, Miller holds an intimidating presence to batters with an array of pitches to offer with a fastball/ changeup/curveball/slider rotation. In his final season at Louisville, Miller’s upside spiked upwards when he struck out a combined 34 batters in his first four starts (23.1 IP) before COVID-19 ended the 2020 season. After turning 22 in April, Miller adds his name near the top of a long list of hopeful pitching prospects for the Dodgers in 2021.
Bobby Miller (Louisville/Twitter)
Michael Busch (Bill Michell/Baseball America)
MICHAEL BUSCH 2B - 6’0, 207 – L/R
The name of Dodgers’ infielder Max Muncy has been related to the play style of 24-year-old Michael Busch, who was drafted out of North Carolina by LAD in the 1st round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Loons fans watched Busch in just a handful of games in 2019 before a pitch broke his right hand, but bounced back in 2020 as one of the Dodgers’ best hitters at instructional league in Arizona. Busch ranged from 1st base to left field for the Tar Heels, but the Dodgers see him at 2nd base after a successful summer in the Cape Cod League. After a down 2020 season, Busch has focused on becoming more athletic, and broadening his horizons with room to grow defensively. .
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LOONS MAGAZINE•2021 SEASON•ISSUE 10
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