(Portland ME) Brainer Bonaci is the new guy in Portland.
No name on the back of his uniform but the 20-year-old played his second game with the Sea Dogs on Thursday afternoon.
No name yet on the back of his uniform
Brainer’s presence wasn’t enough to help the team on this gorgeous afternoon but there’s always a bigger picture when it comes to the minor leagues.
Everyone is auditioning.
Trying to convince someone that AA Portland is below their skill level.
Brainer will get his chance to prove himself.
Brainer Bonaci scores a run today
He is an infielder. You have to wonder how he fits in at the next two levels.
In this game, Portland was down 3-0 before even batting! Hartford’s leadoff batter Niko Decolati took starter Hunter Dobbins deep on the second pitch he saw.
The Sea Dogs got two back quickly but could never get even.
The celebrated prospects on both teams were missing.
#2 Zac Veen (injured), #3 Yanquiel Fernandez (inactive), #5 Drew Romo (inactive), and #7 Gabriel Hughes (inactive) were missing for the Yard Goats.
#1 Marcelo Mayer (injured), #6 Nick Yorke (inactive) were missing for the Sea Dogs.
Marcelo Mayer
However, I’ve done enough of the Portland games to know Marcelo and Nick by sight so that I could find them away from the playing field.
Matthew Lugo and Nick Yorke
Today was a bright noonday game. I brought my Sigma 200m/F2.8. I could have brought the Sigma 600m/F5.6 but that F-Stop denies me the chance to shoot fast.
The sun was minimized by the hood on the camera. However, the sun was in the faces of the players coming my way so their visors shaded them. Nothing I could do about that position wise.
I experimented with some very high speeds to see if I could get the baseball in focus in pictures. I tried 1/4000 and got a blurry baseball. I’ll try even faster another time.
Chase Meidroth foul ball
Despite some players being missing, I did get quite a few shots of #11 Brainer Bonaci and #12 Blaze Jordan. Both are twenty and very young to be at the AA level. The Red Sox bosses are obviously optimistic about the two of them to have them where they are so early.
Blaze is a 1B/3B with power.
Blaze Jordan
Today was the day the area recreation departments came to Hadlock. There were sections of similar jerseys throughout the park. Might have been the highlight of the summer for some of the rec departments.
Slugger got in with a speedster today. The Big Guy appeared to be really trying to keep up but the kid, who may have a high school track career in his future, never slowed up. In fact, he never looked to see where Slugger was. The kid wasn’t going to be denied. But he was classy afterwards giving Slugger a high-five for his effort.
The race winner with Slugger
Continued thanks to Chris Cameron for arranging my visits. Being in the midst of a buzzing park with a chance to take pictures from a great vantage point is greatly appreciated.
Dylan Spacke was signing before the game
Grant Lavigne from Bedford (NH) High School homered for Hartford
You ask anyone who just attended a Sea Dogs game, “Who won?”
They might get that right, but it is unlikely they’ll have the score.
Why?
Too many other things caught their attention and later their memory.
And for each visitor the memories will vary.
I am easily caught up with watching/photographing the major leaguers of the future.
Some might care less for that. They hardly know the names of the players on either team!
Chase Meidroth was one of seven top-thirty prospects in the Portland batting order today
Today was gold for me. Why? The top seven in the Sea Dogs batting order were the seven of the top thirty Red Sox prospects. How often does that happen?
Newcomer Blaze Jordan had two hits vs New Hampshire today
Sometimes you go to Hadlock, and some of the prospects are inactive. Not today. They appeared at the plate one after another. There certainly were opportunities to get a look at each of them.
My struggle, photographically speaking, was the noon start in bright sunshine. I want the sun in my face so that the players’ faces I am trying to get are not shaded by visors. Not possible today because the only angle available had the “sun issue.”
The conditions forced me into some high ISOs. When I raised the ISO, the faces weren’t shaded BUT Portland’s white uniforms were overexposed. Getting the uniforms right shaded the faces.
Next time solution? Different lens. I brought my 600 with its high-numbered F-Stop. I couldn’t speed things up to lower the ISO. I had to drop the speed down to 1/640 and in doing so lessened my chance for great focus.
What I do like about the 600 is that I can avoid being too intrusive when shooting a person.
I am realizing that most of the long shots I take are of lesser quality. Most of what I want to shoot is going to come into range of my 200 and its nice F-Stop of 2.8. It will be a bit frustrating to let go of the long-range action shots, however.
Matthew Lugo hit a three-run homer for the Sea Dogs today
The star of today’s game was New Hampshire’s starter Sem Robberse. He shut out the Sea Dogs (and all their prospects!) for five innings while his teammates went off against Sterling Sharpe to build up a 7-0 lead. Matt Lugo had a 3-run homer off NH relief in the eighth inning to lessen the spread. However, the cows had left the barn!
I was intent on getting newcomer Blaze Jordan (#10 prospect) and Nick Yorke (#3 prospect). Blaze (1B) & Nick (2B) were selected 3rd and 1st in the 2020 draft.
Blaze had two hits this afternoon while Nick had one.
Today was recreation department day at Hadlock. Many camps attended and there were activities for the kids on the field before the game. Most camps had their own specific bright shirt. Probably helped the counselors trying to keep track of kids!
Marcelo Mayer having fun pregame in the dugout
Marcelo Mayer seems to be the prospect likely to make the biggest future splash at the major-league level. He’s 6-2/188 pounds. Good size for a shortstop. He seems very comfortable in the field for a 20-year-old. Drafted in the first round in 2021. He bats left-handed. I have tried to get shots of him in quantity because it is quite likely he will move on to AAA Worcester before the end of the season.
Nick Yorke
My photo moment of the game was catching Nick Yorke in the dugout in full spit. I was shooting at a fast enough speed to catch the “flow.” Some may be offended………I blame the camera!
Another race loss for Hall-of-Fame mascot Slugger. The Big Guy (not Biden) was up against a camper from O-AT-KA in Sebago. They were even heading into the final stretch, but Slugger couldn’t finish. He does a lot of walking around the stands greeting patrons before he does the race. That could well be taking the legs out from him.
Thanks to Chris Cameron for allowing me access to ever-entertaining Hadlock Field.
Yes, the Sea Dogs won in last-inning, dramatic style but that was only part of it.
The park was busy with folks. There was a buzz in every part of the place.
The Sea Dogs pulled out a 12-11 win against the AA Yankees.
I guess, that alone would make a Yankees’ disliker, like myself happy.
The best part may have been that the young Yanks grabbed the lead in the top of the ninth only to have the young Red Sox take it back.
Christian Koss at bat
The crowd got my attention. People were excited to be there and were enjoying themselves on a warm Sunday afternoon.
The Sea Dogs management always has fun going on, but on this afternoon just being there was enough.
In the pre-game, one young man got to hand slap the players on both teams.
My biggest takeaway was a special needs young man taking on the National Anthem. He gave it a shot and pulled it off. It didn’t have quality, but it had heart and that put a lump in my throat.
I had hoped for a look at young Ceddanne Rafaela, but he was in Los Angeles taking part in the Futures Game. I’m guessing that the Yankees’ top prospect (Anthony Volpe) was also there.
I saw Anthony at a New Hampshire/Somerset game earlier this year.
There was plenty of action on the field. There were baserunners galore and several home runs.
Alex Binelas congratulated by Manager Chad Epperson
Young Alex Binelas (#17 Red Sox prospect) whacked two homers. Alex moved up to AA in late June. This was certainly his best game so far.
Impressed with Christian Koss. He has the numbers to be Portland’s MVP to date. Today he homered and was aggressive on the bases.
Portland’s David Hamilton leads the Eastern League in steals with forty.
I was on the edge of the Portland dugout and so when he was picking up his glove at the start of the game I said to him, “Steal, steal, steal!” He smiled.
David Hamilton steals second base in the first inning
David then went off to his position in the field but when he came back in, he led off with a hit and then immediately stole second. From my location I had pretty good photographer’s positioning to catch that action.
When the inning ended, David again came by for his glove. Again, I told him to steal. He looked at me and said, “I already gave you one.”
David did steal second (again), and this time with no throw. Later, he would steal home. Wish I’d gotten that shot!
I did get Christian Voss sliding into home.
Christian Koss reaches for second base
A player I was looking for was Max Burt. Max attended St. John’s (Danvers). When I saw the Somerset team in NH, Max didn’t play. However, the day before today’s game Max had hit two home runs. Today, he collected a couple of hits.
St. John’s Prep’s Max Burt had two hits against Portland
One thing that Max did in the field that was unique was, just before a pitch was made, he would jump in the air. I’m not sure what advantage there is to it, but he did it just before every pitch.
Max Burt gets ready
The Eastern League schedule is interesting. Teams now play six-game series with each opponent. What this means for Portland is that their next two series are away, so they won’t be at Hadlock until August 2nd versus Erie.
August works the other way for the Sea Dogs because most of the month they will be at Hadlock.
The weather was interesting. There was sun, clouds, and a little bit of rain. Welcome to New England!
Continued thanks to Chris Cameron for making my visits possible. Hadlock Field is a great place to be.
Ricardo Cubillan
Chad Bell retrieves a loose ball in the infield
Alex Binelas
Christian Koss congratulated in the Portland dugout after his home run
Hayden Juenger went three innings and struck out seven
(Portland ME) The Portland Sea Dogs have pitching.
But on this afternoon, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats had better pitching and won the game 6-2 at Hadlock Field.
Hayden Juenger and Paxton Schultz combined to shut out the Sea Dogs for seven innings and struck out twelve of them.
Kole Cottam drove in the Portland runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
This was Portland’s third game of the season and the first one for me.
There are always comings-and-goings at the minor league level. The guessing game over at what level players will be placed gets some answers in the early days of the season.
Brandon Walter
My search at minor league games is usually about prospects. I do my homework and intentionally attempt to photograph prospects on the rise. It started for me when 19-year-old Bryce Harper came to Hadlock with the Harrisburg Senators.
Today the prime target was Orelvis Martinez of New Hampshire. Orelvis is a 19-year-old shortstop who is highly regarded by the Toronto Blue Jays. Orelvis stranded five runners today but his future is bright especially being where he is at his young age.
Portland started Brandon Walter who is #9 in the Red Sox system. Brandon was voted the top minor league pitcher for Boston last year. He is already twenty-five so I would suspect that he won’t last too long in AA.
David Hamilton dives back
Brandon was very effective this afternoon. The lefty went five innings allowing just one hit and struck out seven.
Another impressive newcomer (so far) for Portland is David Hamilton. The Sea Dogs’ shortstop is very fast and a valid threat to steal every time he gets on base. David had two steals today. He came into the Red Sox system as part of the Hunter Renfro trade with Milwaukee.
Another ranked prospect (#27) that I saw was Portland’s third baseman Christian Koss.
Good crowd today at Hadlock enjoying the sun with temperatures in the mid-50s. April in Portland is not always that nice!
My day was made at Hadlock with the return of the Slugger/kid race. Missed that all last year. I’m a fan of Slugger’s and always pulling for him in the race. I have faith that he’ll get that first W and I’ll be there to picture it.
Today was not Slugger’s day. He seemed sluggish and I’m sure for good reason. The inning before they had him out there dancing, black-flipping, and doing a split. That is NOT how you get ready for a race around the bases. His legs were shot as a result. He appeared worn out.
Slugger does a back flip
I didn’t think his challenger was that fast. He was steady, though, and that was all it took to win this afternoon.
Slugger’s challenger wins by plenty
The Big Guy also has course-direction issues. Today he rounded second, heading for first, but instead of cutting the corner at second he went by way of Falmouth! No wonder he wasn’t in sight when the challenger crossed home.
Slugger takes a very wide turn
But hope springs eternal. There will be other opportunities and with a few minor adjustments, things could have a happy ending.
Slugger gracious in defeat
Glittering backpack
I saw one of the New Hampshire players come onto the field carrying a glittering backpack. I was told that it is a tradition of sorts for the youngest player to carry such a thing. Now you know.
Plenty of kids at Hadlock today. It is a terrific place to bring them. The price is right and there’s plenty going on to catch their attention.
Thanks to media director Chris Cameron for arranging my visit.
Ryan Fitzgerald and Devlin Granberg emerge from the corn
Grant Williams
(Portland ME) Plenty to see at Hadlock Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Field of Dreams Show.
Jay Groome.
The last game (most likely) at Hadlock this season.
Triston Casas.
And Slugger doing a flip?
Sunny skies with an accompanying breeze made being at the park pleasurable for all of us.
The Field of Dreams Show is special. It’s the Sea Dogs’ biggest event. Why? Folks know the movie and the players are dressed in older uniforms. Also, the crowd gets shown some love.
The walk in from the cornfield
Pre-Covid the players would go up into the stands after they had wandered in from the cornfield in center. Today, they lined up along the foul lines and applauded the crowd.
Plenty of photo-ops for everyone.
The opponent today was the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. They’re in the New York Mets system.
There was a total of sixteen top-thirty prospects on the rosters of the two teams. Only FOUR of them (Hayden Senger & Carlos Rincon for Binghamton and Jay Groome and Ronaldo Hernandez for Portland) actually were in the game. A bit disappointing.
Jay Groome was the winning pitcher
But Boston’s prospect #8, Jay Groome, was pitching for Portland. I hadn’t seen him in action before. Today he looked very good.
The 23-year-old was drafted in 2016 by the Red Sox in the first round (#12). It has taken Jay a while to get to AA with Tommy John surgery a key part in the delay. Jay pitched his first AA game last week in New Hampshire and had ten strikeouts. Today it was nine K’s.
In Portland’s (10-3) win this afternoon, Jay pitched the first six innings and allowed just two hits. The 6’6” lefty had batters struggling to make contact for most of the time.
It may be rushing things, but I wonder how far away the next levels are for a lefty who strikes people out. Might Jay start at Portland next April before quickly moving on to Worcester?
The players applaud the fans
The Sea Dogs are on the road in Hartford (CT) next week to finish the regular season. There is still a chance they could make the two-team, Northeast League playoffs. They’ll need “help” from teams ahead of them to get it done. I’m not counting on it happening, but you never know.
It has been nice to have games to attend. Being back, but being kept off the field, has been a struggle for picture taking but I do have a 600mm lens! I have also learned that I could get some pretty good shots through the backstop mesh.
One of the league changes that was implemented this year has teams playing in one place Tuesday-Sunday and then traveling (if needed) on Monday. It must save money for the teams. The league will use the same format next season.
Triston Casas and Tyreque Reed
Assuming there are no Hadlock playoff games, Triston Casas won’t be seen in AA again, in my opinion. Boston’s #2 prospect should start in AAA Worcester next year if not at Fenway. He’s that good with stats to confirm it!
Triston is a powerful, dedicated athlete. In every game I’ve been at I’ve seen Triston as the most driven player when it comes to pregame activities. He’s all business.
The 2018 first-rounder did not play today but I found him in the Field of Dreams Show. He was the one carrying a cellphone and taking pictures.
Hayden Senger of Binghamton
Triston didn’t stay in the dugout during the game. I did get a (final) picture of him leaving the park for maybe the last time?
I have always been Slugger’s top fan. (I may have been the only one giving him a chance in his each-game race against young fans.) I’ve missed that racing activity this season. However, the big guy has been in the crowd regularly glad-handing and posing for pictures in 2021.
I have worried that Slugger might be getting out of shape minus his every-game racing. It’s easy to slough off when the season is over.
I’m pleased to report that Slugger has kept in shape. He came out between two of the innings this afternoon and did a very active dance routine. The highlight, however, was the big guy doing a backflip. It looked dangerous and I was worried for him as he attempted it. But, not to worry, over he flipped with a great landing! I’m proud of him.
Slugger does a dangerous backflip
I was hoping to get a look at the Mets #2 prospect (Brett Baty) but couldn’t find him. He was listed as wearing #22 but I discovered, unfortunately, that another player (Manny Rodriguez) was also listed as wearing #22. And I thought that high school rosters were confusing!
I did see Mets’ prospect #24, Carlos Rincon. Carlos was picked up in a trade with the Dodgers this year. Today, Binghamton’s DH had a three-run homer.
I also saw Mets’ prospect #21, catcher Hayden Senger. Hayden was selected by the Mets in the 24th round in 2018. He has been a big surprise so far with his quick progress in the Mets farm system.
Ronaldo Hernandez (Boston’s 22nd prospect) was in action today as a DH. He had a part in Portland’s five-run second inning today.
Continued thanks, from me, to my friend Chris Cameron for his part in arranging my visits to Hadlock. Things always seem to work without a hitch with him in charge.
I have finally figured out where to park to avoid the $10 close-to-the-stadium parking. I also need the exercise!
Looking forward to more time at Hadlock in 2022.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Jay Groome had nine strikeouts in six innings
Portland catcher Roldani Baldwin
Jay Groome ready to pitch
Grant Williams leads off second base
Jeisson Rosario scores a run in the second inning
Hudson Potts takes up from third base
Hayden Senger in the Binghamton dugout
Jeisson Rosario makes a running catch
Devlin Granberg ready to bat
Jay Groome checked by the umpires
Triston Casas
Triston Casas leaves Hadlock Field for the last time?
Antoine Duplantis and Josh Hejka
Wagner Lagrange
Yoel Romero and Raul Beracierta
Field of Dreams narrator and Sea Dogs radio announcer Emma Tiedemann
(Portland ME) It’s been nearly two years since Chris Sale last pitched at the major league level.
He needed surgery (Tommy John) and he had it. Then the lengthy process to get back with the Red Sox and contribute began.
In the early weeks and months, it was easy to wonder if he would ever pitch again. Many of us lost track of him.
Lose track of him no more. He is back and his chances of helping the first-place Red Sox are beginning to seem like a real possibility.
This afternoon Chris pitched for the first-place Portland Sea Dogs. It was his third rehab effort in game conditions.
“Today was good,” said Chris afterwards. “I don’t think that I was quite as consistent, however, with all my pitches. All of my mistakes and misfires today caught too much zone.”
Osvaldo Duarte had a double and a homer against Chris Sale
Today’s opponent was the Harrisburg Senators. Chris faced the same team on Tuesday.
“On Tuesday, when I would make a bad pitch, they were more on the outside of the plate,” he said. “If I made a bad pitch today it was in the middle of the plate, and they obviously capitalized on it. They came out swinging.”
In 3 2/3 innings Chris gave up six hits to go with nine strikeouts.
The Sea Dogs ended up winning, 6-5, on a walk-off hit by Devlin Granberg.
Portland was ahead when Chris finished. He noted that in the during-the-game press conference: “We’re still ahead. The point of this is winning the game. We’re on track.”
Chris Sale strikes out Jackson Cluff to end the third inning
Chris downplayed pitch velocity as too important so far. “I threw a couple of 4’s and 5’s which is good for me. Velocity is not the Number One thing on my list when I’m going out there to pitch. That’ll take care of itself.”
Credit Harrisburg. This is a 25-46 team, in last place, that Chris held hitless on Tuesday. Today they came out hacking and making some contact.
Osvaldo Duarte (ninth in the Harrisburg batting order) had a career day with three hits. Two of them were off Chris who praised Osvaldo for his at-bats against him.
“He put a really good swing on that changeup (442-foot homer). In his last at bat (double), I threw him a 1-1 fastball right off the plate. He did exactly what he’s supposed to do: He took it the other way and didn’t try to do too much.”
The best part of Chris’s afternoon, in my opinion, was the third inning. After Osvaldo’s homer tied the score, the Senators quickly had runners on first and third with no outs. Big inning? Chris would have none of it. It was almost as if he was on as the closer in the World Series. (Who can forget that performance!) He mixed pitches and pounded the zone and Harrisburg couldn’t score.
KJ Harrison swings and misses
“I had to pitch out of some stuff,” said Chris. “It was actually a good situation for me to be in. It’s the time when your back is up against the wall. Between the catcher (Ronaldo Hernandez) and I, we worked through that pretty well.”
Chris said that he threw more changeups today than he did on Tuesday. “One of those changeups got hit pretty far,” he laughed. “That pitch is one that I’ve got to get back on top of. It was a good pitch for me a while ago and I need to refine it a little bit more and have some confidence in throwing it.”
Reading about Chris and listening to him this afternoon, I think that the part of the rehab that pleases him the most is the time between starts. “My in-between days have been locked in for a while,” he said. “It’s been a bright spot. I’ve gotten into a better routine to know what my arm, body, and mind need in the days between starts. Even the first couple of days after a start I’m bouncing back pretty good. Just got to keep it rolling.”
Conference at the mound as Chris finishes pitching
“Rolling” is certainly what the Sea Dogs are doing. They have now won eighteen of their last nineteen games. They own the best record (45-24) in Double A. Players get called up to Worcester. Players are missing because they’re in the Olympics. Nothing changes. The team keeps winning.
Chris loved being with the Sea Dogs
This is what Chris Sale had to say about being with the Sea Dogs this week: “I love this team. They asked me if I wanted to go back to Boston in between starts and I said, ‘Absolutely, not!’ I wanted to stay here. This is fun for me. I appreciate these guys letting me be part of the team. They’ve had something going for a few months now. They made me feel welcome. This is a gritty team. They’re very talented. These guys swing the bat about as well as anybody I’ve ever seen. I’ve been talking a lot with the pitching staff bouncing ideas off; arm angles, pitch sequences etc.. Just pitching stuff. I’ve appreciated how they’ve let me walk into their house and hang out for a week.”
The soggy weather delayed the start of the game for fifty minutes. That sure helped me because I hesitated to even come because of the rainy forecast. I arrived at 1:15 thinking I was late but soon happily realized that I was early.
Very attentive crowd. The need for entertainment, other than baseball, was minimal. Not too many kids in the crowd. Most attending were adults who saw a chance to watch one of baseball’s best pitchers closeup and took it. I was one of them!
Chris gets checked after an inning
Thanks, as always, to Chris Cameron for the arrangements he made on my behalf.
The Sea Dogs are home for six games with New Hampshire starting Tuesday. They are well worth a look.
Chris Sale will probably get a start in Worcester (AAA) this week. I wish him the best.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
(Portland ME) The Hartford Yard Goats got off to a great start.
Portland’s best pitcher (Josh Winckowski) was out in less than an inning.
Portland starter Josh Winckowski was gone early but the Sea Dogs rallied back
The visitors had a 5-0 lead.
Ryan Fitzgerald and Tanner Nishioka each had two hits and two rbi
But it didn’t last.
The Portland pitching improved, and their bats turned lively.
The Sea Dogs finished a six-game sweep of Hartford, 7-5, on a sultry Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field.
When I attend a game in Portland, I do my homework to be sure I know the top prospects in the game.
Hartford is a Colorado Rockies affiliate.
The top two CR prospects on the Yard Goat’s roster are Elehuris Montero (#9) and Jameson Hannah (#13).
First pitch of the game Jameson doubled. Several batters later in the same inning, Elehuris drove him in.
Both prospects ended up with two hits, so I had several opportunities to get pictures of them.
Taylor Snyder leads EL in homers
There are still limitations on where photographers can shoot from at Hadlock Field but my 600mm lens keeps me in range of most action.
It would be nice to see what that lens could do from the edge of the dugout.
This shot of Taylor Snyder is a close-range picture. (He was leaving the nearby Hartford locker room.)
Triston Casas is Boston’s top prospect although someone on Twitter claimed that tonight’s draft pick might immediately go to the top.
As long as the newcomer goes through Portland or New Hampshire, I’ll enjoy the pick.
I was stunned by the way Hartford roughed up Josh Winckowski. I’ve seen Josh several times and he’s pitched well enough to get wins each time. Josh came from the Mets in a three-team trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City.
Triston Casas
Willie Abreu (lefty) stuck his bat out at an outside pitch, thrown by Josh, with two outs and ended up with a two-run double down the leftfield line. When Josh hit the next batter, his afternoon was over.
But Josh’s teammates rallied back, and the subpar outing didn’t get him a loss.
I continue to be impressed with Triston Casas. There’s no joking around pregame. He does plenty of stretching and running. Triston is big but I see his swing as compact. I wonder if he’ll get to Worcester (AAA) before the season ends.
Bobby Dalbec has got to be hearing his footsteps.
Both of the CR prospects (Jameson Hannah & Elehuris Montero) had two hits.
Jameson and Elehuris came to Colorado in trades in 2020. Jameson was with Cincinnati and Elehuris was with St. Louis.
Elehuris Montero (#9 CR prospect)
It must be a little frustrating for them to be on a team in last place in the Eastern League (18-41).
Taylor Snyder of Hartford leads the Eastern League in home runs with sixteen.
Willie Abreu had a home run for Hartford and drove four runs across.
The Yard Goats play at Dunkin’ Donuts Park which was recently voted the best Double-A ballpark in the country. I need to get down there. I also need to check out the Woo Sox.
I was happy today to see Slugger off the wide screen in centerfield and on the field and on the dugout. His usual antics have not resumed but seeing him in the crowd is a step in the right direction. The Portland staff did orchestrate some young fan competitions in rightfield.
Slugger gives a wave
My Slugger attraction is watching him challenge a young fan to a race around the bases. When that event resumes, then I’ll know that the old normal has returned. Slugger will be well rested by then and might be able to end his losing streak. No one deserves to lose for as long as he has!
Good crowd today with plenty of kids. Parking is nearby and the price (low) is right.
Thanks to Chris Cameron for arranging my visit.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Pregame fun and games
Catcher Ronaldo Hernandez
Jameson Hannah (#13 CR prospect)
Triston Casas set to swing
Kids racing
Willie Abreu near home after a home run
Max George steals 2B as Ryan Fitzgerald takes throw
Devlin Granberg
Ryan Fitzgerald and Coco Montes
Jameson Hannah steals 2B as Tanner Nishioka takes throw
Yankees prospect Luis Medina has tremendous potential
Luis Medina had six walks and two wild pitches in 4 1/3 innings
(Portland ME) It had almost been two years.
August 19, 2019 was the last visit to Hadlock Field for me.
After that, Covid-19, and the reactions to it, took that pleasurable opportunity away from me.
But I was back yesterday.
My revisit was nicely arranged, as usual, by the Master Arranger, Chris Cameron.
I saw the first game of the Sea Dogs doubleheader with the Somerset Patriots.
Somerset is the AA representative of the New York Yankees.
I chase prospects and know that the good ones in AA will eventually be on the major league roster in time.
They’ll emerge on TV from Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park and I’ll recall seeing them earlier.
Oswald Peraza drove in two with a double
The last Yankee prospect who has now made the big team, that I saw at Portland’s Hadlock Field, was Glebys Torres.
Oswald Peraza (#4 NY prospect) and Luis Medina (#7 NY prospect) are both on the current Somerset roster.
When I realized that Luis Medina was pitching, I was eager to attend the game.
Both Oswald (shortstop) and Luis were promoted to Someset earlier this month. They are impressing the Yankees’ future planners
Both of them were signed as 16-year-old’s.
Oswald Peraza is a shortstop
Oswald (21) is from Venezuela. Luis (22) is from the Dominican Republic.
Oswald is a smooth fielder who is hitting nearly .300.
Luis was the intriguing one to me. He was throwing 100MPH in the Dominican Republic when he was sixteen!
He’s rated to have the “best pure stuff” by Baseball America is the Yankees farm system.
He was coming off his first AA start (versus Richmond) in which he had ten strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
I saw a clip of the Richmond game. Luis had great control of his curve, changeup, and fastball.
Luis’ issue has been consistency. Can he throw strikes? I am no genius on these things but if I’m facing a pitcher with control issues, I am either going to be very patient (and make him throw strikes) or be teeing off on early pitches in the middle of the plate.
Luis Medina
The “inconsistent” Luis pitched against Portland and took the loss.
He reached 99 on several pitches and may have reached 100 on some others that I didn’t check on. But there were six walks and two wild pitches. Only five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Portland scored a run on each wild pitch.
So, the 22-year-old has a distance to go but the “best pure stuff” will get you plenty more chances to fix things.
Oswalt was good in the field, and he also drove in two runs with a double.
I had seen Portland earlier this month against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester (NH).
1B Triston Casas
Triston Casas (1B) is the #1 Boston Red Sox prospect. He’s young (21) and big (6’4” – 252).
Triston works relentlessly on pre-game conditioning. He seems determined to avoid injuries and to improve his foot speed. I saw him do a lot of stretching and sprinting.
In both parks, Triston took time to sign autographs.
If I’m Boston’s Bobby Dalbec, I’m well aware that Triston plays my position (1B), has similar power, and doesn’t strike out as much.
Newly arrived Devlin Granberg had two hits for the Sea Dogs. He played college baseball at Dallas Baptist University.
Josh Winckowski was the Portland starter. He came to Boston via the NY Mets in the Andrew Benintendi trade to Kansas City.
Portland starter Josh Winckowski had nine K’s and got the win
Josh Winckowski
Josh seems more than able to hold his own at the AA level. Versus Somerset he went five innings for the win with nine strikeouts.
Other Sea Dogs I took pictures of: catcher Ronaldo Hernandez (#11 prospect), 3B Hudson Potts, and SS Ryan Fitzgerald.
Busy night behind the plate for the Patriots catcher Donny Sands. Luis Medina had two wild pitches and some others that were off the mark. Addison Russ followed in relief, and he had a wild pitch.
The Sea Dogs were giving free bobbleheads of Xander Bogaerts pregame to the first five hundred fans. An hour before the gates opened, the fans were in place.
Newcomer Devlin Granberg had two hits
It was nice to be back in the park, but things were different for the fans and for me.
The fans, at the minor league level, expect to be entertained. They don’t know the players and usually there are plenty of youngsters in the house. The continued reaction to Covid-19 prevents any on-field activities. Those activities are great at keeping the non-baseball types engaged. Various contests appear between innings and there’s never a dull moment because the Sea Dogs’ staff fills the time so well. And there was no Slugger! I have pulled for that guy for years. There’s always a race and he’s always in it. He’s been in a “bit” of a slump, but I also want to be there when the big guy gets that first elusive W. Watching him on the video screen during this game in long-away centerfield is far from the same. Can’t wait for the federal mandate insisting on Covid-19 restrictions to end!
Catcher Ronaldo Hernandez
Personally, I was kept from the field too. Pregame is a nice chance to get some closeups. Not being on the edge of the dugouts may keep me safer but I miss chances on good shots. However, I do own a 600mm lens, so I’m not totally out of range.
Nice weather, although the sun does set so that it’s right in my face in the only open spot I could shoot from.
I have figured out where to park to avoid the $10 charge to locate near to the stadium. I can use the walk!
Thanks again to Chris Cameron. On short notice, he made the needed arrangements. I did have to sign a Covid-19 waiver when I checked in.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Maybe it’s the nonstop whiffs of food that I shouldn’t be eating but crave.
More likely, it’s how hard the stadium staff and the players work to make it enjoyable.
I’m walking along at today’s Fisher Cats’ game and a staff member cautions me about an untied shoelace.
Players were warming up near the stands in rightfield. A throw went into the stands. It didn’t come close to anyone, but it startled several of them. The players involved rushed over to apologize and gave a baseball to one of the spectators.
Gabriel Moreno is Toronto’s 7th prospect
These are little things, but they make you glad you’re there and you want to come back.
I go to minor league games as a photographer. I never plan to cover the games the way I do with high school sports. There won’t be interviews with anyone post-game.
I did interview Tyler Murray pre-game today. He’s the radio voice of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
I have only interviewed one minor league player. I wanted to try it. I got Mike Antonellis (then radio voice of the Portland Sea Dogs) to set me up to interview Bobby Dalbec.
Ronoldo Hernandez is Boston’s 11th prospect
I admit I was a bit nervous going into it because I hardly knew Bobby. I don’t recall what I asked him but I do know that I got him to pose for a picture when the interview was over. The picture IMO was a good one.
The only problem with the Bobby Dalbec interview was that I had forgotten to turn my digital recorder on! Embarrassing, to say the least. Maybe that’s why I stick to pictures when I go to minor league games.
When I saw that the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox farm team) were the opponent for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats this afternoon, I made the arrangements to attend.
I NEVER go to a minor league game without knowing the names (numbers) of the top prospects on both teams. I certainly want Red Sox prospects but often the other team has future stars as well.
My prospect chasing actually started in Portland when 19-year-old Bryce Harper was a late-in-the-season addition to the Harrisburg Senators. When the Senators came to Portland I was able to find, and picture Bryce, even though he wasn’t playing.
Triston Casas had a 3-run homer
I was after Triston Casas today. The 20-year-old is Boston’s top prospect. The first baseman is tall and powerful. He had a three-run homer this afternoon.
The Fisher Cats had numerous prospects on their roster.
“According to MLB.com, the Fisher Cats have the third-most, loaded roster in minor league baseball,” Tyler Murray told me.
Simon Woods Richardson is the second-best pitcher in the Toronto minor league system. He pitched last night.
Triston Casas heads for the dugout after signing a lot of autographs
Ball loose on a play at second base
Austin Martin and Jordan Groshans are former first-round picks. Austin was chosen 5th last year while Jordan was chosen 12th in 2018.
Jordan was injured but I did get to see Austin. He was in center this afternoon. He is listed as the 22nd best prospect in the minors. Jordan is a shortstop and he’s the 46th best prospect.
Austin didn’t get any hits today, but he did have two outfield assists.
Gabriel Moreno is a catcher (He was the DH today) and is #7 on the Blue Jays prospect list. He had a hit and an RBI today.
I saw two other Top Thirty prospects for Boston; Ronaldo Hernandez (11th) and Jeisson Rosario (21st).
The Sea Dogs won today’s game, 7-2, getting six runs off two relievers in the 8th and 9th innings. Triston and Joey Menesses homered during the six-run rally.
Triston Casas takes a practice swing
Josh Winckowski started for the Sea Dogs. He came from the New York Mets as part of the three-team trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City last year.
The Fisher Cats starter (Elvis Luciano) went out with an injury unable to finish the first inning.
Minor League Baseball has been keeping the media away from the teams. “It’s been difficult to get to know the players personally because we’ve been separated from them,” said Tyler.
Those restrictions impact how close photographers can get too. I now own a 600m lens and it came in handy today.
Tyler on how things are going: “Last night we had an awesome crowd. We’ll be near to 100% capacity on June 1st. Vaccinated fans don’t need to wear masks anymore.”
Jeisson Rosario in the Portland dugout
Tyler on how the stadium was used with no baseball last season: “We didn’t have baseball so we ended up hosting twenty special events, mostly high school and college graduations. We have the room. People had such a good time that we now have more graduations booked than last year.”
The scheduling is different. The teams now play Tuesday-Sunday in the same city. Monday is a travel day.
“I love the scheduling,” said Tyler. “It saves travel. We’d have a game end in New Jersey at 11PM and then have to drive to Maine. We’d get in about 5AM. It was tough with no days off. One city with consistent days off has been great so far.”
Austin Martin stretches pre-game
Tyler was excited about the future. “It’s good to have the whole staff back. Many staff members were furloughed during last season.”
More than 134 former Fisher Cats have appeared in the big leagues. There are plenty of good players going through here.
Two years ago, I trekked to Manchester (NH) numerous times to see Vladi Guerrero, Bo Bichette, and Caven Biggio.
I would encourage folks to check out the Fisher Cats. The stadium is a 42-minute ride from Amesbury via 495, 93, and 293.
Being close to the action is guaranteed. Book a date, do your homework, and bring a camera.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)
Pitcher Willy Gaston
Vinny Capra (3 hits) leads off first base
Triston Casas returns to Portland dugout
Triston Casas at first base
Shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald
Roldani Baldwin being checked out after being hit by a pitch
(Portland ME) The Portland Sea Dogs emerged in costume out of the cornfield set up in centerfield at Hadlock Field.
The 15th sellout crowd of the season then witnessed the Portland version of a segment of the baseball classic, “Field of Dreams.”
The reenactment was well done on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Radio announcer Mike Antonellis narrated the show dressed in appropriate attire.
I always like the show, but to me the best part is after the Portland Eskimos reach the infield. They then go up into the crowd and thank folks for their support. That’ll win you a lot of repeat customers!
There was also a baseball game played afterwards and it did not go well for the Sea Dogs. The visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats won easily, 7-1. NH starter Yennsy Diaz held the home hitless into the seventh inning. The Dogs would only get one hit (Brett Netzer).
Josh Palacios had a homer for New Hampshire
Josh Palacios and Brock Lundquist homered for the team from Manchester (NH).
The teams will meet against tomorrow (Labor Day) to conclude their seasons.
I went to the game hoping to catch another look at Portland pitcher Daniel McGrath. He was scheduled to start but got the call (yesterday?) to move up to Pawtucket to fill in there. Daniel should start 2020 in Pawtucket with a chance to move to Fenway. He’s that good, in my opinion.
This game was short on action because of the barrage of strikeouts. Ten Sea Dogs K’d, and sixteen Fisher Cats were retired without contact. For a team scoring seven runs (NH) it was hard to imagine how they could do it with that many strikeouts. Josh Palacios was the only Fisher Cat who didn’t strike out.
Josh’s solo homer was pulled down the right field line. Portland pitcher Matthew Gorst applied some body English to keep it foul, but it didn’t work. I overheard Josh in the dugout say that “it started out foul and then came back fair.”
I continue to wish that minor league teams would wear uniforms with numbers on the front. I am trying to set myself up with an excuse if I misidentify the pictures I took today.
Bag missed
Slugger did himself no favors in his baserunning competition with a youngster when he tried to compete out of uniform. He was all gussied up with a top hat. He didn’t even get into his starting stance, so I knew he was done for. The most troubling part of today’s loss was that the opponent was in enemy (Fisher Cats) garb and never came close to touching third. Slugger didn’t catch the baserunning shortcut and took yet another defeat in his usual classy way. Maybe a video review will give the big guy today’s win?
Chris Cameron
Thanks (again) to Chris Cameron for enabling me to be in the best photography locations for yet another season.
(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them. Please let me know (85peterjulie17@gmail.com) if I have inaccurately identified players, so that I can make the needed changes.)
McClelland Miscellanea 