Tag Archives: Henry Owens

June 29, 2017 · 8:07 pm

Eduardo Rodriguez shelled in rehab outing at Portland

Eduardo Rodriguez in front of the Hadlock Field scoreboard before the game

ERod peers at one of the many Fisher Cat baserunners.

(Portland ME) Not hard to figure out what was going on.

It was a spring training outing for Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez at Hadlock Field on Thursday night.

The 24-year-old lefty pitched “competitively” for the first time since his knee injury in Baltimore on June 1^st.

Tonight’s performance by Eduardo centered on throwing strikes and using an assortment of pitches. Getting outs were of secondary concern. The score didn’t matter.

I have no doubt that those who came to see a major leaguer in action were stunned by the way Eduardo’s three innings went. How do five earned runs and nine hits sound?

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats feasted on Eduardo’s heavy dose of strikes. Leadoff hitter Jonathan Davis took ER out of the park on the second pitch of the opening inning. Eduardo did end up striking out three batters in the 3^rd inning but before that it was bang, bang, bang for the Manchester (NH) team.

Jonathan Davis homered on Eduardo’s second pitch.

Not sure when Eduardo will return to the Red Sox rotation. I would have to believe that there will be more rehab starts ahead for him.

Tonight I got another look at 3B Rafael Devers. I am stunned that he hasn’t been moved to Pawtucket yet. Rafael is comfortable in the field and is making regular solid contact at the plate.

The times I saw celebrated Yoan Moncada last season I was not overwhelmed by him because of his lack of consistent contact. Rafael puts the ball into play regularly.

The “other pitcher” in tonight’s game was Jon Harris. Jon was Toronto’s #1 pick in the 2015 draft. He pitched seven terrific innings against Portland giving up only five hits and two runs.

Jon’s 3-8 record would suggest a tough season to date but not tonight. Jon’s last win, before tonight, was on May 23^rd against Portland.

Got my first look at Michael Chavis. Michael will be taking over 3B exclusively when Rafael heads south to either Pawtucket or Boston. Michael was Boston’s #1 pick in 2014. He swings hard and may strike out often the rest of this season.

How long will 3B Rafael Devers stay with Portland?

Also on hand was former Sea Dog Henry Owens. Two years ago, Henry was on the fast track to Fenway. However, to date he has not been too effective above Portland. Much of the trouble was over ever-changing mechanics that led to too many walks. Henry will seek to get a consistent handle to his mechanics in the weeks ahead at Portland.

What about Slugger? The drizzle started after Eduardo finished his three innings. I value my camera too much to risk damage from rain. I wonder if Slugger ended his lifetime losing streak?

Thanks to Chris Cameron for arranging my Hadlock visit.

(Pictures from the Portland/New Hampshire game.) Clicking on a picture will cause it to enlarge significantly.

Eduardo Rodriguez backs up a throw home

Shortstop Richard Urena chases an infield popup

Rafael Devers at 2B

Michael Chavis batting

Winning pitcher Jon Harris

Eduardo heads for the dugout

Eduardo pitches with Rafael in the background

Henry Owens is back at Portland

Eduardo Rodriguez ready to pitch

Eduardo Rodriguez

Rafael Devers

Jeremy Barfield had a 3-run homer in Portland’s 9-5 loss

Newcomer Michael Chavis

Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers in the Portland dugout.

Danny Mars made the Eastern League All-Star team

ERod stretches before the game

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Filed under Eduardo Rodriguez, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs

Tagged as Eduardo Rodriguez, Henry Owens, Jon Harris, Michael Chavis, Rafael Devers

July 15, 2014 · 1:12 pm

Prospect Blake Swihart sighted at Portland in 6-2 win over New Hampshire

Blake Swihart was the Portland catcher today. How much longer?

Danny Bethea returns to the Portland dugout after getting an RBI in his first at-bat with the Sea Dogs

(Portland ME) The Portland Sea Dogs are playing so well that when you arrive at Hadlock Field and find a player missing you assume that there has been a promotion to AAA Pawtucket.

Henry Owens and Sean Coyle were absent from the Sea Dogs, 6-2, win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Monday afternoon. No promotions (yet) for either of them. They had been participants in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Why Henry hasn’t moved up is a mystery to this reporter. The 21-year-old lefty has statistically dominated the Eastern League so far in 2014. Henry tops the EL in wins (12), strikeouts (111), ERA (2.21) and WHIP (1.03).

The Sea Dogs (63-34) have the best record in the Eastern League. The Binghamton Mets, however, are just 4 1/2 games behind in the Eastern Division of the EL. The Sea Dogs dropped four straight in Binghamton this month so the race for the top spot in the EL could become very interesting the rest of the way. And if Henry gets promoted, as well as Sean Coyle and catcher Blake Swihart, that top spot would be even harder to hold onto.

Blake Swihart

But on Monday Blake was on hand and Henry and Sean were due back when the EL season resumes on Thursday.

Portland did promote a catcher to Pawtucket but this time it was reserve Matt Spring. They also brought a new catcher in from the Lowell Spinners, Danny Bethea.

Danny got his first at-bats at the AA level versus New Hampshire (Toronto Blue Jays affiliate) and picked up an RBI in his first at-bat. That RBI came on a slow dribbler down the first baseline that NH starter Casey Lawrence opted to go to first with allowing Jonathan Roof to score.

Portland starter Mike Augliera gave up his tenth homer of the season to Andy Fermin but benefited from a matching homer from teammate Heiker Meneses. Mike is now 4-8 and hadn’t won a game in nearly two month.

Part of the Sea Dogs’ success this season has been the way they have dominated the Cats from New Hampshire. With today’s win the season record favors Portland 10-4.

It was Campers’ Day at Hadlock and the camps each had their own tee-shirts. On a hot afternoon (the game started at noon) there was plenty of action at the concessions stands.

Slugger has spent the season riding on a jeep instead of working on his base running.

It was another sorry day for Slugger in his season-long quest to beat someone (anyone) on the race around the bases. For some reason Slugger’s opponent always gets a half-base lead. That seems unfair since Slugger hasn’t won yet this year! In today’s race Slugger was matched up against a girl. This kid was small but fast but Slugger is big and fast and crossed second base with the lead. Then for some unknown reason the Sea Dogs mascot decided to head out between first and second for a brief chat with an umpire. I ask you, what would they have to talk about at this point? But Slugger still had a chance because as he got to first the little girl was just getting to third….this race was even. But what happened next, is worthy of a full-blown investigation. A Sea Dogs’ staff member, standing at first base, offered Slugger a drink of water. I now believe that the staff member and the little girl are related. Of course, Slugger stops for the drink instead of taking it on the fly. When the mascot resumes running the little girl is home the winner. Very disappointing.

I’ve seen Slugger lose after falling over second base, but losing because of time wasted chatting and drinking is unacceptable. I would recommend that he spend some pre-game time running the bases instead of riding around recklessly on the back of a jeep!

Michael Almanzar score first Portland run

Prime photo target for me at Hadlock was catcher Blake Swihart. I suspect that his days with Portland are numbered. Blake was a first-round compensation pick for Boston in 2011 after the Red Sox lost Adrian Beltre. In today’s win Blake caught a NH runner trying to steal. The 22-year-old has 10 homers and 48 RBI.

I was part of a good crowd (6,552) enjoying the game. Portland games are affordable and offer glimpses of future Red Sox players. Think Mookie Betts!

Thanks to Chris Cameron for setting me up to see the game.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Michael Almanzar

Blake Swihart

fun with young fans

Heiker Meneses (home run in game)

Shannon Wilkerson

Jon Berti (28 stolen bases)

Blake Swihart consoles starter Mike Augliera after home run pitch

Andy Fermin in home run trot

Jonathan Roof scores as Casey Lawence throws to first

Danny Bethea batting for the first time in Portland

Peter Hissey

newspaper toss

NH starter Casey Lawrence

shortstop Ryan Dent sets to throw to first

Olympian Julia Clukey threw out the first pitch

Derrik Gibson back after short time with Pawtucket

Jonathan Roof

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Filed under New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs

Tagged as Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, Mike Augliera, Sean Coyle, Slugger the mascot

May 29, 2014 · 7:08 pm

Top Red Sox prospects litter Portland Sea Dogs roster

Mookie Betts and Deven Marrero

catcher Blake Swihart and pitcher Henry Owens

(Portland ME) Do you want to see the top Red Sox prospects? Portland, Maine should be your destination real soon.

The Portland Sea Dogs’ roster (according to MLB.com Prospect Watch) currently has three of the top five Red Sox prospects (Henry Owens, Blake Swihart, and Mookie Betts) as well as #13 Deven Marrero. Highly regarded Sean Coyle is also on the team along with recently arrived Bo Greenwell (Yes, Mike is his father.).

I was at Hadlock Field this morning/afternoon as the Sea Dogs pushed their won/loss record to 35-18 with a 2-1 win over the New Britain Rock Cats.

The Thursday weather for the 11AM start was downright awesome: sunny but not too hot.

Hoping to see some of the six prospects, I was blessed into a game in which all six took part. You talk about photo ops!

Henry Owens

#1 prospect Henry Owens was very impressive. The tall lefty went seven innings facing only twenty-five batters. Henry allowed three hits and kept the Rock Cats from making solid contact most of the time.

This was the first time I have seen #3 prospect Blake Swihart catch. Henry’s control gave Blake an easy-to-handle game.

I came to this game suspecting that it might be a last chance to see Mookie Betts (#5 prospect) in action. I am envisioning Pawtucket in his June future. The Sea Dogs centerfielder had a rare game for him………never got on base.

The best play I saw today? Easily it was what shortstop Deven Marrero did with Kennys Vargas’ grounder up the middle. It would have been a terrific play if Deven had just stopped the ball but he added to it by getting off the ground and getting the out at first. Granted, Kennys Vargas (6’5 – 275 pounds) appears to have David Ortiz-like speed, but the play was remarkable nonetheless. I have read in several places that Deven’s glove is major-league ready. Today I confirmed the fact for myself visually.

This young fan toasted Slugger

Mascot Slugger added to his losing streak as yet another young fan got the best of him circling the bases. This race should be under review because the young fan started halfway up the first baseline. This unfair start put Slugger way behind early and he just didn’t have the closing kick needed to win the race. Of course the way I saw it, the young fan should have been disqualified. I am starting to think these races may be fixed.

Plenty of Maine school kids in the house. There were some educational activities before the game and fun activities during the game. The Portland Sea Dogs management aims to please the attendees and again today they hit the target.

Thanks to Assistant GM Chris Cameron for arranging my visit.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Deven Marrero dives back to first

Tony Thomas (former Sea Dog)

Sean Coyle

Mookie Betts signs

Henry Owens

Deven Marrero

Mookie Betts pregame

Blake Swihart

Deven Marrero

Blake Swihart

Nick Kvasnicka

Bo Greenwell

Deven Marrero steals second

pregame rocket launch

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Filed under New Britain Rock Cats, Portland Sea Dogs

Tagged as Blake Swihart, Bo Greenwell, Deven Marrero, Henry Owens, Mookie Betts, New Britain Rock Cats, Portland Sea Dogs, Sean Coyle

September 1, 2013 · 7:49 pm

Henry Owens and Gary Sanchez spotted at Field of Dreams game in Portland

The 1926 Portland Eskimos move out onto Hadlock Field

Portland Eskimos applaud Hadlock fans

(Portland ME) Quite the pregame show!

Set up close to the wall in centerfield was a cornfield arranged in the, “Field of Dreams,” mode.

The sellout crowd was addressed and thanked for twenty years of baseball following at Hadlock Field.

Then suddenly players appeared on our side of the cornfield. They came out wearing 1926 Portland Eskimos uniforms and looked around in wonder at Hadlock Field.

The players then strolled in toward the foul lines getting a thunderous, standing ovation from the delighted crowd.

The players then applauded the fans and went up into the stands to greet as many in the crowd as they could get to.

Media boss Chris Cameron in the middle

It was terrific stuff. Media boss Chris Cameron had told me, on a previous visit, that it was his favorite promotion of the summer. Now I knew why. Fan involvement in most minor league games is quite subdued but this show had everyone stirred up.

Then there was the game that you thought this write-up was about!

Portland lost the game, 9-4, on a cloudy/rainy/sunny Sunday afternoon. The rain hit just at game time but fortunately was soon gone. It turned out to be a delightful day for a game.

Going into Friday, the Portland Sea Dogs had a chance to get to second and make the Eastern League (AA) playoffs. “All” they had to do was finish the regular season with five straight wins over second-place Trenton.

They got past Friday but not Saturday. The home team dropped both ends of last night’s double-header and the first loss sealed the doom of the Sea Dogs. That result made this game irrelevant in the overall scheme of things.

But there were prospects to be seen. My main reason for doing this game was to get Sea Dog pitcher Henry Owens. The 20-year-old was the starter today. I was also hoping to get a look at shortstop Deven Marrero in the field. Missions accomplished!

Henry Owens

Deven Marrero

The Trenton Yankees have their top three prospects (Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams, and Tyler Austin) on their roster. Mason, however, was injured Saturday night so he was unavailable. I flat out messed up on Tyler. I think that the Trenton online roster had him with a different number. But I did really well with Gary Sanchez. He cooperated for a nice shot in the Trenton dugout.

Gary Sanchez

Gary is a 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic who signed a $3 million contract with the Yankees as a 16-year-old. He has the size (6-2/220 pounds) to catch and plenty of power. The eerie thing about Gary is that on first glance he looks like Alex Rodriguez!

Speaking of catchers, Portland’s Christian Vazquez was called up to AAA Pawtucket today. Christian had been cited for his defense in the past. This year his hitting improved tremendously.

Many of us were on hand to see Henry Owens. What most of us didn’t expect was for him to get taken deep twice (Ramon Flores and Gary Sanchez) in the first inning. The tall lefty ended up going 5 2/3 innings giving up six hits, 3 runs, and had eight strikeouts. He should be a good one. I suspect that he’ll at least start at Portland next season. I doubt that he’ll stay there too long.

Nik Turley takes care of his arm

Lefty Nik Turley started for Trenton and got the win. He went five innings and left leading 3-2. Nik is not related to former Yankee ace Bob Turley although Bob did call Nik’s father after the 2008 draft to welcome Nik to the Yankees.

A 3-2 game got away from the Sea Dogs in the 8th inning when the Thunder put up a five-spot on reliever Miguel Celestino.

Trenton, which hosts Binghamton in the EL playoffs on Wednesday, had thirteen hits against Portland. Ben Gamel led the way with three hits including a home run. Ramon Flores (Yankees #16 prospect) had two hits including a homer. Reegie Corono had a home run as well.

Portland had eleven hits. Garin Cecchini, Travis Shaw, and Deven Marrero each had two of them.

Slugger falls losing yet again

Another embarrassing effort by Slugger. He raced against a 4-year-old (?) from Oxford today. The youngster headed for rightfield after first but it didn’t matter. Slugger should have built up a big lead with the confusion but instead fell flat near second. Slugger recovered but just when he had a great chance for the win went down again just short of home. I’m beginning to wonder if he’s really trying.

Again thanks to media relations director Chris Cameron for setting up my visit.

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)