Twin Bill Set for Saturday in Gwinnett…
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights enter play today with a career mark of 44-43
against the Gwinnett Braves. At Coolray Field, the Braves hold a 25-19 record, while at
Knights Stadium — the Knights are 25-18. The two teams will meet in Fort Mill for a two-game
series from April 11-12.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights and Braves split their 2012 series going 11-11 over the 22
game stretch. The Knights were 5-6 at Coolray Field and 6-5 at home. The Knights outscored
the Braves in the series 87-73.
2013 SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights dropped their 2013 season opener on Friday by a
score of 5-4. LHP Sean Gilmartin – Atlanta’s fourth-best prospect, as rated by Baseball America,
earned the win after five solid innings (5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 SO). SS Tyler Pastornicky was a
perfect 4-4 with two doubles, a run and an RBI.
Mr. Indiana or Mr. Gwinnett?: Josh Phegley continued his solid play against the Gwinnett Braves on Friday in the 2013 season opener. The Indiana native launched the second pitch he saw from LHP Sean Gilmartin for a solo home run to lead off the second inning. Phegley finished the game 2-4 with the home run and two runs scored. In 15 games last season against the G-Braves, he hit .349 with four doubles, one triple, and six RBIs.
Loman was the High-Man on Friday: Seth Loman got the 2013 season off to a blazing start. The Bakersfield, CA native led the Knights with three hits and two RBIs. He was 3-4 on the evening and his two-run, bases-clearing double in the eighth inning pulled the Knights to just one run. Loman was Birmingham’s Player of the Year a season ago after hitting .276 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Jhanny Be Good: Jhan Carlos Marinez, the 13th-best prospect in the White Sox system as rated by Baseball America, continued his dominance of Triple-A hitters on Friday – picking up right where he left off last season. The 24-year-old righty tossed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen – allowing just one hit while striking out two batters. Dating back to 8/2/12 at Louisville, Marinez has not allowed a run in 10-straight appearances (13 IP). He’s also allowed just five hits over that span.
Purcey at the Finish Line: LHP David Purcey recorded the final three outs of Friday’s 5-4 loss. He allowed one hit while fanning two batters in the bottom of the eighth inning. Last season, with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Purcey finished 10 games. In all, he went 1-4 with a 4.37 ERA in a team-high 47 appearances.
Almost a Year to the Day: Steve Tolleson launched a solo home run on Friday in the sixth inning. Tolleson, a Spartanburg, SC native, last hit a home run in the International League on April 6, 2012. That home run came off of the Charlotte Knights’ pitcher Charlie Shirek at Knights Stadium. It was Tolleson’s only home run with Norfolk last season. He did hit two home runs as a member of the Baltimore Orioles last year.
Eight is Enough: The Charlotte Knights 2013 Opening Day roster features eight players on the disabled list. The following players will begin the season on the DL: LHP Charlie Leesman, RHP Trevor Reckling, RHP Dan Remenowsky, LHP Santos Rodriguez, C Damaso Espino, OF Lars Anderson, OF Josh Bell, OF Blake Tekotte.
A Look Ahead: Simon Castro gets the nod tomorrow for the Knights — his first start with the club since 7/26/12, when he allowed six runs on 11 hits over five innings in a loss to SWB.
Opening Game in Gwinnett…
Charlotte Knights @ Gwinnett Braves (Game 1 of 4)
FRI: RHP Zach Stewart (-) vs. LHP Sean Gilmartin (-)
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights enter play today with a career mark of 44-42 against the Gwinnett Braves.
At Coolray Field, the Braves hold a 24-19 record, while at Knights Stadium — the Knights are 25-18.
The two teams will meet in Fort Mill for a two-game series from April 11-12.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights and Braves split their 2012 series going 11-11 over the 22
game stretch. The Knights were 5-6 at Coolray Field and 6-5 at home. The Knights outscored
the Braves in the series 87-73.
Take 2: For the second season in-a-row, the Charlotte Knights Opening Day was postponed due to rain. Last season, the Knights were set to open the season at home on Thursday, April 5 against the Norfolk Tides, but rain washed the game away. Yesterday, their 2013 opener in Gwinnett was postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday in Gwinnett. The Knights will open at home on Thursday, April 11.
Danks Again: Talented outfielder Jordan Danks returns to the Knights for his fourth-straight season. The Texas native last played for the club on August 20 at Durham and extended his on-base streak to 30 games. Danks also had a 16-game hit streak last year – that came to an end in that game against the Bulls. Danks, 26, hit .317 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs for the Knights in 64 games. He is now among the Knights career leaders in a number of offensive categories, including at-bats (2nd), hits (2nd), doubles (T-3rd), and triples (T-2nd).
Racking Up the Awards: Catcher Josh Phegley returns to the Knights after a solid 2012 season. The Terre Haute, IN native was a 2012 International League mid-season All-Star, and won the Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove award and the Charlotte Knights annual Community Service Award. He enters the 2013 season ranked by Baseball America as the 18th-best prospect in Chicago’s system.
The Z-Man Return-eth: Matt Zaleski, 31, went 7-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 25 games for the Knights a season ago – his fourth with the Knights. The Illinois native enters the 2013 season among the Charlotte Knights career leaders in a number of categories. He ranks second in games started (65), second in innings pitched (374.1), and seventh in strikeouts (243). He is scheduled to pitch in game four of this four-game series.
Like Father, Like Son: Steve Tolleson, 30, is the son of former Major Leaguer Wayne Tolleson. Tony Pena Jr., 32, is the son of former Major Leaguer Tony Pena. Both players have dads that have ties to the Yankees. The elder Tolleson spent 1986-1990 with the Yanks, while the elder Pena has been on the Bronx Bombers coaching staff since 2006.
Keeping it Local: The Knights 2013 Opening Day roster features a handful of local products. Steve Tolleson was born in Spartanburg, SC and is a product of nearby University of South Carolina. Jason Berken was born in Green Bay, WI, and he, along with fellow pitcher Daniel Moskos, are Clemson University products. Moskos was born in Greenville, SC and ranks among Clemson’s all-time leaders in saves (4th, 16) and appearances (5th, 71).
Another Media Day in the Books!
The sun was out. The grass was green. Players were in uniform. That could only mean one thing — baseball season is near!
On Tuesday, April 2nd, members of the media had their day at Knights Stadium as the Charlotte Knights held their annual Media Day. As a media relations director, this is always one of my favorite days of the year. It’s not Opening Day — but it’s close!
So, what is Media Day?
Well for me, Media Day is my first “official” day to meet the players, take headshots (its always fun to watch the players sit down, goof off, and then get their photos taken), capture video, and listen to my favorite noise — the crack of the bat! I love that sound!
As I enter my seventh season in baseball, each Media Day gets better. Today’s event turned out to be a great one! Food from Buca Di Beppo began the day off with a bang! Mama Mia that was good stuff!
While I have yet to “officially” release an Opening Day roster (stay tuned), there were 25 players in uniform on Tuesday for the team’s media day. Good!
A number of familiar faces were on the field — back in Fort Mill for another season. This season will be a special one for the players, staff, and fans as it will be the 24th and final year at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC.
18 of the 25 players on Tuesday have all donned a Charlotte Knights jersey at some point in their career. Players like Jordan Danks, Matt Zaleski, Josh Phegley, Brent Morel, Stefan Gartrell, and 13 others are back to continue their careers in Fort Mill as they make that next step to the Majors.
It was a busy day as the players worked out on the field, took BP, and of course, spoke to the media.
For the media relations department, it was especially busy. Today was the day to finish the credentials, media guides (both digital & printed), rosters, and much more. The craziness of getting all of that stuff together is all worth it in the end. Once I step out onto that field, I know that I was meant to be here. I live and breathe baseball and Media Day, Opening Day, and the entire season can never come soon enough!
Stay tuned to the “Knight Fever” blog throughout the season for all of the latest updates. If there is a feature story you would like to see, please write me at tommyv@charlotteknights.com.
Let’s make this final season at Knights Stadium one for the ages!
PS — take a look at yours truly in the photo above (yep, I’m the one on the left with some pretty good company).
For more great photos, please check out the Media Day photo gallery, courtesy of Knights Team Photographer Erica Caldwell, here: Knights Media Day Gallery.
Talking Knights Baseball at 7:40 AM This Morning!
I’ll be appearing on WRHI on Friday morning at 7:40 AM on their morning show – Palmetto Mornings.
I’ll be talking about our exciting Knights Fest event, which is set for this Saturday at Knights Stadium from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
I’ll also talk about Opening Day, which is set for Thursday, April 11. It is the final Opening Day in Knights Stadium history! Opening Weekend is going to be the best ever!
Friday’s show should be a lot of fun! Make sure to tune in.
Listen here:
http://player.liquidcompass.net/WRHIAM
The following is from the WRHI website:
Palmetto Mornings
Start your day the right way with Palmetto Mornings!
Host Chuck Boozer keeps you up-to-date with the day’s news and local happenings. News with Mike Crowder and the updated AccuWeather forecast with Severe Weather Center 9′s Keith Monday. Chris Miller has all the highlights from your favorite sports teams.
Palmetto Mornings is the informative, interesting and entertaining start of the day for York County with the latest in news, sports, traffic weather conditions, with discussions on the latest hot-button topics.
Palmetto Mornings is on the air each weekday morning from 5:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Danks Again…
With just about a week left before the start of the 2013 season, the White Sox continued to cut their roster down on Thursday. Two days after optioning Brent Morel and Deunte Heath to the Knights, the team announced it optioned outfielders Jordan Danks and Blake Tekotte to the Knights.
Let’s take an in-depth look at Danks — a household name at Knights Stadium…
Jordan Danks was sent to the Knights on Thursday and it now looks as if the veteran outfielder will begin his fourth-straight season with the club. The White Sox have a crowded outfield at the Major League level and both Danks and Tekotte became expendable.
Danks, who earned his first promotion to the Majors last season, was on-fire this spring. At the time of his demotion, he was hitting .351 (13-37) with two home runs and nine RBIs in 16 games this spring.
Defensively, Danks is one of the most talented in the game. In 2011, as a member of the Charlotte Knights, he won the MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his stellar outfield defense.
Last season, the 26-year-old enjoyed a solid offensive season. In 64 games with the Knights, the Texas native posted a .317 mark with eight home runs and 30 RBIs.
Danks will enter the 2013 season among the Knights career leaders in a number of categories. He is second in hits (297), tied for second in triples (10), third in games played (316), tied for third in doubles (68), tied for sixth in RBIs (137), and tied for fourth in walks (142).
Knight Lights… Jordan’s brother John is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder… Danks had the surgery back on Aug. 6… On Tuesday, the White Sox reassigned LHP Daniel Moskos, INF Carlos Sanchez and RHP Zach Stewart to minor-league camp… All three spent time with the Knights last season… The Los Angeles Dodgers released former Knights slugger Dallas McPherson earlier this week… McPherson hit 32 home runs for the Knights over parts of two seasons (2011-12).
More Spring Training News:
- Former Knight Axelrod Ready for Any Role
- Morel Optioned to Charlotte
Rienzo is Hard-Luck Loser in Team Brazil Loss on Sunday…
If you took a look at the box score after Sunday’s Team Brazil vs. Team Cuba game, you’ll see that 2012 Charlotte Knights Andre Rienzo was the losing pitcher in the 5-2 loss. But, if you are like me and stayed up to watch the game — which started at 10:30 PM EST on Saturday night, you would know that Rienzo was sharp.
Rienzo started the game for Team Brazil, a night after his country lost to Team Japan in the opening game.
The Brazilian native, who made one start for the Knights during the regular season last year, was effective on the hill on Sunday in Japan.
The 24-year-old right-hander did not allow a hit through the first four innings. Due to a pitch count limit of 65, however, Rienzo’s night would be short-lived once the fifth inning started.
With the game scoreless, Rienzo began the fifth frame with a leadoff walk. The next batter (Eriel Sanchez) tried to bunt the runner to second with nobody out, but failed to get a bunt across and went down as the first out.
Erisbel Arruebarruena then singled and Rienzo was in jeopardy of quickly losing his shutout. Now, with runners on the corners and just one out — and Rienzo with 62 pitches, the next batter was most likely going to be his last.
Guillermo Heredia then stepped to the plate with a chance to put the Cuban team on the board. He would do just that.
Heredia grounded to shortstop Marcio Tanaka, who went to turn what should have been an inning-ending double play. Unfortunately for Team Brazil, and Rienzo, that didn’t happen.
Arruebarruena was on the move with the play and he made it to second base before the Brazilian second baseman did. Although they got Heredia at first base, Jose Fernandez scored the game’s first run — making it a 1-0 lead for Cuba.
Now, trailing by a score of 1-0, and one of his runners in scoring position, Rienzo was forced to leave the game due to a pitch count.
Reliever Ernesto Norris then entered the game and allowed an RBI single to the first batter he faced to make it a 2-0 Cuba lead. The inning would end when Yulieski Gourriel flied out for the third and final out.
Cuba would tack on three more runs in the sixth frame, and although Brazil added two in the bottom half of the sixth, they fell short in the contest.
The loss was charged to Rienzo, who finished 4.1 innings, giving up just one hit, two runs, and four walks. Rienzo deserved a better outcome in the game, but had to settle for a devastating loss to Team Cuba.
All and all, it was a solid showing from Rienzo, who is one of the top prospects in the White Sox organization. Stay tuned for more on this talented right-hander again soon!
Knights Annual Job Fair a Success!
On Thursday, February 28, the Charlotte Knight held their annual Job Fair at Knights Stadium in hopes of finding some talented people to work game days during the upcoming 2013 season.
Hard-working, fun, energetic, outgoing, reliable. Those are just some of the words to describe the type of candidates we were in search of on Thursday.
The job fair was scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., but around 4:30 p.m., a line began to form outside of Knights Stadium. People were eager to make their way into the stadium for the chance to work for the team during the Knights final season in Fort Mill.
We were in search of potential ticket scanners, ushers, parking attendants, concessions workers, and more! Around 200 people will be hired over the course of the next month or so — leading up to Opening Day, April 11.
These gameday positions are very important to our success. We couldn’t do what we do without the hard work of our gameday crew. We look forward to adding to our staff this season!
All and all, Thursday’s event was a success. Hundreds of qualified applicants came out in search of jobs.
Local media covered the event, including WSOC-TV, CN2, Charlotte Observer, and Fort Mill Times. I would like to take a moment to thank them for coming out and covering this event.
Our 24th and final season at Knights Stadium begins on Thursday, April 11 and we look forward to seeing you there!
Still Undefeated After Five Games…
The White Sox continue to play quality baseball this spring. On Tuesday, Chicago beat the Texas Rangers by a score of 8-4. After five games, the Sox are now 3-0-2.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from Tuesday’s action:
Simon Castro — Castro started the game for the South Siders and was sharp. The Dominican native threw three scoreless innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out three batters. Castro was obtained by the White Sox back in December of 2011, along with Pedro Hernandez for OF Carlos Quentin.
Last season, the 24-year-old appeared in 21 games over three classifications. He made one start for Bristol (A), 15 starts for Double-A Birmingham, and five starts for the Knights. He went 6-4 with a 3.70 ERA for the Barons (90.0 IP). With the Knights, he posted a 1-1 mark with a 4.32 ERA (25.0 IP).
Knight Lights:
Ramon Troncoso followed up Castro’s performance with two shutout innings… Jhan Carlos Marinez and Jake Petricka also threw a scoreless inning each… Alejandro De Aza stole his first base of the spring… He also had a hit and an RBI… Dayan Viciedo, Keenyn Walker, and Steve Tolleson all had two hits apiece… Conor Gillaspie started at 3B and went 1-2 with his first home run… His home run was a two-run blast off of pitcher Collin Balester in the sixth inning… It was an inning after Paul Konerko hit his first homer… Konerko’s was a two-run shot off of Robbie Ross… Josh Bell chipped in with two RBIs and now has four… Gillaspie and Seth Loman lead the team with six RBIs.
No Longer Knights:
Ray Olmedo, now playing for the Minnesota Twins organization, went 1-2 with a double… Dan Johnson, who is in camp with the New York Yankees, went 0-1 with two walks and a run scored… The Yankees lost to the Orioles in that game 10-7… A 2012 Charlotte Knights slugger was in the opposite dugout of that game… Now a member of the Orioles organization is Conor Jackson, who had a nice day at the plate on Tuesday… Jackson went 2-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
After Four Games, White Sox Still Undefeated…
On Tuesday, the White Sox pounded out 14 runs on 13 hits and remained undefeated after an impressive 14-8 win over the Texas Rangers. So far on the spring season, the Sox are 2-0-2.
Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s spring highlights:
Josh Phegley — Phegley was a 2012 Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award winner after a stellar season behind the plate for the Knights. The Indiana native also had a solid year with the bat.
On Tuesday, Phegley showed that he does have some pop with the bat, as he launched an eighth-inning home run — his first of the spring. Phegley was a quick starter a season ago and had a break-out April. He went on to appear in his first All-Star Game (he was a mid-season IL All-Star), and even made a mark in the community. For his efforts, he was awarded the Charlotte Knights Community Service Award.
This offseason, Phegley was nominated as a catcher on the All Knights Stadium Team. Each week, the five best players from each position are announced via charlotteknights.com. Fans have been voting on who they think should represent the Knights at each position. The team will be announced at Knights Stadium on Opening Day, April 11. Stay tuned…
Knight Lights: The other catcher from Charlotte’s 2012 squad was Hector Gimenez, and so far, he has performed well this spring… Gimenez went 2-2 with a run, RBI, and a walk… Trayce Thompson swiped his first base… He also walked twice and scored twice… Andy Wilkins chipped in with two hits on the afternoon… White Sox newcomer Conor Gillaspie led the team with two hits and four RBIs today… Nestor Molina started and was sharp over two shutout frames… He appeared in one game with the Knights last season… Reliever Brian Omogrosso threw his second scoreless appearance… He has not allowed a run in three innings this spring… Zach Stewart also had a second scoreless appearance… His 3.2 innings pitched are the most by a Sox player so far this spring… RHP Simon Castro is expected to get the start on Wednesday… Donnie Veal is also scheduled to pitch.
Monday’s Action Ends in Another Tie…
Game three of the spring season is in the books and the White Sox have yet to lose a game. On Monday, the Sox faced the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants, and finished their game in a 9-9 tie — their second tie in as many days. So far this year, they are 1-0-2.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from Monday’s action:
Seth Loman – Loman had another impressive day at the plate for the Sox. The California native went 2-2 with a run scored and a huge three-run home run in the eighth inning. The long ball was his second of the spring season and he now leads the Sox in that category. He also leads the club in RBIs with five.
Originally a 47th round pick of the LA Angels in the 2005 draft, Loman is coming off a solid season for Double-A Birmingham. He posted a .276 batting average with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs in 115 games before a promotion to the Knights last year. He appeared in four regular season games with the Knights. He was Birmingham’s 2012 Player of the Year.
For his career, Loman has played in parts of seven seasons in the Minors and has accumulated a .285 batting average with 115 home runs and 405 RBIs.
Knight Lights: Josh Phegley went 1-2 with a run scored and an RBI… Stefan Gartrell, a former Knight, who spent the 2012 season with the Gwinnett Braves, went 1-2 with a run scored… Carlos Sanchez, the third-best prospect in the White Sox system, as ranked by Baseball America, went 1-3… Sanchez is just 20 years old… Josh Bell continued his hot-hitting… Bell went 1-2 with a run and two RBIs… He’s 2-4 in two games this spring… Jared Mitchell, who is ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the system by Baseball America, tripled in the sixth… His two-run triple began Chicago’s scoring on the day… Mitchell led the Southern League with 12 triples last year… Leyson Septimo had his second scoreless appearance of the season.
