Archive for the 'Heath Rollins' Category

May 30

[DOWN ON THE FARM] 7 Vero Beach D-Rays Named All-Stars

Heath Rollins, Jeremy Hellickson, RJ Harrison, Ryan Reid No Comments »

Durham 10, Norfolk 7. Jon Weber tied the game with a 2-out single in the top of the 9th, and the Dan Johnson put the Bulls ahead for good with a 3-run home run, 2 batters later. Johnson finished 3-6. Weber was 5-6 with 2 RBI…Ben Hendrickson started and gave up 6 runs in 4 innings…Justin Ruggiano was 3-5 and Reid Brignac did not play.

Chattanooga 4, Montgomery 2. James Houser struck out 5 in 5 shutout innings. He was touched for 2 hits and 3 walks…Rhyne Hughes was 3-4 while Gabby Martinez and Chris Nowak were each 1-4 with an RBI.

Vero Beach 6, St. Lucie 4. Joey Callender tied the game with a 2-run single in the 9th with no outs. Garrett Groce put the D-Rays up with a 1-out RBI single and Neil Walton would stretch the lead to 2 with a ground ball to short…Heath Rollins allowed only a single unearned run in 7 innings. He gave up 3 hits and no walks. He struck out 4, but picked up the no-decision…Ryan Reid pitched the final 5 outs allowing only 1 hit and no walks. He struck out 3 and now has 45 strikeouts to 3 walks on the season.

Greenville 7, Columbus 5 (10). Glenn Gibson started and gave up 4 runs in 5.2 innings…Shawn O’Malley had 2 of the Catfish’ 3 hits. 4 of Columbus’ 5 runs were unearned.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Seven members of the Vero Beach Devil Rays have been voted to the FSL All-Star game, including Jeremy Hellickson, Heath Rollins and Ryan Reid. [MiLB]
  • With 1 week until the draft, nothing has changed as far as the Rays are concerned. According to RJ Harrison the Rays are still considering 5 players for the top pick…Let’s hope this is a negotiating tactic, because there is little reason to not have narrowed their choice down to at least 2 or 3 at this point. Nobody is drafting ahead of the Rays so there is no need to play games. But certainly they have a plethora of scouting reports on all 5 kids and have in their mind 1 or 2 that are at least a head better than the rest. [Rays Report]
  • MiLB interviews the GM of the Vero Beach Devil Rays in their weekly profiles on minor league clubs. [MiLB]
Apr 16

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Big Night For Jeremy Hellickson As He Fans 13, Walks None

David Price, Durham Bulls, Heath Rollins, Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson No Comments »

Columbus 5, Durham 4. JK Ryu gave up 3 runs in 4.2 innings…Reid Brignac was 0-3 and is hitting .205…Joel Guzman hit his 3rd home run. He also committed his 5th error…Fernando Perez was 1-5 with 3 strike outs.

Tennessee 3, Montgomery 2. Wade Davis allowed 2 runs (1 earned) in 5 innings. He struck out 3, walked 1 and gave up 5 hits…The Biscuits had 11 hits, but only one for extra bases, a solo home run by Patrick Cottrell…Chris Nowak had three hits.

Vero Beach 3, Jupiter 1. Big night for Jeremy Hellickson who struck out 13 and walked none in 7 shutout innings. He allowed only 3 hits. Hellickson faced the minimum for the first 5.1 innings and only struggled in the 6th when gave up 2 singles and balked a runner to third. He got out of the mess by striking out the side…Neal Frontz also had a memorable night. He came on in the 9th inning and struck out FOUR batters in one inning. The second batter reached via wild pitch after the third strike got past the catcher.

Columbus 6, Rome 3. Glenn Gibson was a little better last night, but still gave up 3 runs in only 4 innings, having allowed single runs in each of the first 3 innings. He struck out 2 and walked 2…Emeel Salem was 2-3 with 2 RBI and his 10th stolen base…Maiko Loyola hit his 2nd home run.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • MiLB takes a closer look at Jeremy Hellickson’s masterful performance from last night in which he struck out 13. [MiLB]

“Once I got out there, I had command of my pitches,” the 21-year-old right-hander said. “I was able to throw all my pitches for strikes…The fastball felt good,” he added. “I was able to throw it in or out. The curve felt really good, better than it felt in the first two games.”

  • Baseball America spoke to Rays pitching coordinator about several Rays pitching prospects including Jeff Niemann (The pages of history are filled with guys who caught a break and never looked back), David Price (up to 90 feet now, and he’s reported no difficulty, no discomfort) and Heath Rollins (10 pounds heavier, 10 more pounds of muscle … He’s a 92, 93 guy at times, but he can spin the ball). [Baseball America]
  • The Rays have extended their player development agreement with the Durham Bulls through the 2010 season. This was far from a foregone conclusion after the numerous incidents involving several of the Rays top prospects in 2006, including BJ Upton, Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes as well as then manager John Tamargo. [Rays Report]
Apr 09

[DOWN ON THE FARM] Heath Rollins Picking Up Where He Left Off In ’07

Evan Longoria, Heath Rollins No Comments »

Durham 5, Columbus 4. Jeff Niemann retired the first 11 batters he faced before walking a batter in the 4th. in the 5th things started to fall apart for Niemann. 4 hits, a walk and an error led to 4 runs and Niemann was only saved by an inning-ending double play…Reid Brignac had a double and a triple in 4 at bats…After picking up his first 3 hits of the season 2 nights ago, Evan Longoria was unable to carry that into last night’s action. He was 0-4 last night and 3-22 (.136) on the season…Justin Riggiano and Joel Guzman hit their first home runs of ’08.

Jupiter 3, Vero Beach 2. Heath Rollins was masterful and is already proving that 2007 was not a fluke. Last night Rollins struck out 10 and walked none in 5 shutout innings. He gave up only 3 singles. Rollins struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced and retired the final 9 batters he faced…The lineup managed only 4 hits, 2 from Garrett Groce.

Columbus 14, Rome 1. Alex Cobb made his second start and was just as strong has his first outing. He threw 6 innings of 1-run ball. He allowed 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4…Six batters had at least 2 hits apiece. Emeel Salem had 3 hits including a double. Cody Cipriano had 2 doubles while Reid Fronk added a double and a triple.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Evan Longoria makes the Fox Sports “who’s not” list for the minor leagues. [Fox Sports]
Sep 11

Down On The Farm: Columbus Takes Opening Game of SALY Finals

Heath Rollins No Comments »

Columbus 5, West Virginia 2 (Columbus leads 1-0). Heath Rollins pitched the Catfish to a game 1 victory in the championship series of the South Atlantic League. In 6 innings, he struck out 4 and gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks. The win was Rollins’ second of the post-season to go with 17 regular season wins. Neal Frontz struck out all three batters he faced in the 9th for the save. Jahn Matulia got the scoring started with a 2-run double in the 3rd that gave the Catfish a 2-1 lead. Cesar Suarez had a home run and Quinn Stewart was 3-4 and scored 2 runs.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • D-Rays affiliates are now 9-1 in the playoffs.
  • Montgomery will face the Huntsville Stars in the championship series for the second straight year. [Stacy Long's Riverwalk Talk]
  • MiLB has a preview of the IL championship series. [MiLB]
Sep 10

Down On The Farm: Montgomery Makes It Three Affiliates In Championship Series

Heath Rollins, Jae Seo, Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson, JP Howell, Will Kline No Comments »

Montgomery 12, Mississippi 5 (Montgomery wins series 3-1). John Jaso got the Biscuits off to a good start with a 3-run home run in the first inning, and Montgomery broke things open with a 7-run sixth inning, to advance to the Southern League championship series for the second straight season. Mike Prochaska was hittable, allowing 9 hits and 2 walks in 5.2 innings, but only allowed 3 runs. Erold Andrus had a 3-run home run in the 6th inning and went 3-5. Reid Brignac was 3-3 with 2 walks and he drove in 3.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • The Durham Bulls will use he same rotation for the finals that they used in the the first round of the playoffs. JP Howell will go in game 1 on Tuesday, followed by Jeff Niemann and Jae Seo. [Our Sports Central]
  • Heath Rollins will start in game 1 tonight for the Columbus Catfish. Will Kline will go in game 2, followed by Jeremy Hellickson. [Ledger-Enquirer]
Sep 06

Down On The Farm: Durham And Columbus Open Playoffs With Wins

Heath Rollins, John Jaso No Comments »

Durham 11, Toledo 8 (Bulls lead series 1-0). The Bulls got off to a fast start with Jon Weber, Jason Pridie and Justin Ruggiano hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the game and giving Durham an early 3-1 lead. They stretched the lead to 6-2, including Ruggiano’s second home run of the game, before the defense failed JP Howell. Three errors in the top of the 6th led to 5 unearned run giving Toledo a 7-6 lead. The Bulls immediately answered with 5 runs in the next two innings including home runs by Wes Bankston and Elliot Johnson giving the Bulls 6 on the night. Chad Orvella pitched a perfect 7th and 8th, with Shawn Camp throwing the 9th, allowing 1 run on 3 hits.

Columbus 11, Augusta 2 (Columbus leads the series 1-0). The Catfish had an 8-0 lead by the 4th innings to support the strong pitching performance by Heath Rollins. Rollins tossed 7 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 run, while striking out 3. Matt Fields, Nevin Ashley and Quinn Stewart all homered for Columbus. Maiko Loyola led off and was 3-5.

Hudson Valley 7, Vermont 4.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • There is a new blog in the Devil Rays Universe that has the potential to be very interesting. George is the batboy for the Vero Beach Rays and he has started a blog entitled “Life Inside A Minor League Baseball Team”. Unfortunately the site was started after the regular season ended and the Rays will only be in Dodgertown for one more season, but we will be following along closely. [Life Inside A Minor League Baseball Team]
  • Catcher John Jaso of Montgomery was named the Southern League’s player-of-the-month for August. He hit .378 with 20 RBI for the month. [Our Sports Central]
  • Heath Rollins was named the SAL pitcher-of-the-week for the 4th time. Rollins led all of minor league baseball with 17 wins. [Basil's Blog]
Sep 04

Down On The Farm: Three Minor League Affiliates Set To Begin Championship Runs

Chris Mason, Desmond Jennings, Evan Longoria, Fernando Perez, Heath Rollins, Jeff Niemann, JP Howell, Michael Ross, Mitch Talbot, Reid Brignac, Rhyne Hughes, Ryan Royster, Sergio Pedroza No Comments »

Durham 2, Charlotte 1. Mitch Talbot finished the regular season by picking up his 13th win. He went 6.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 walk and 1 run. Chad Orvella picked up his 20th save. Evan Longoria was 0-3 with a walk and 3 strikeouts. He finished the regular season hitting .269-5-19 in 31 AAA games. JP Howell led the IL with 145 strikeouts, while Mitch Talbot and Jeff Niemann were tied for the second most wins (12).

Montgomery 7, Jacksonville 3 (13 innings). The Biscuits head into the playoffs having won 15 of their final 16 regular season games to finish with the top mark in the SL at 81-59. Fernando Perez went 3-7 in the finale to finish the season with a .309 batting average, a .423 OBP and .908 OPS. John Jaso was second in the SL with a .316 average. Reid Brignac finished 2nd with 81 RBI. The Biscuits had three of the top four OPS marks with Evan Longoria leading the league at .930. Chris Mason led the league with 15 wins and was 4th with 136 strikeouts.

Vero Beach concluded their regular season on Sunday. After finishing 3rd in the division for the first half, the Rays fell to last place with a 25-44 second half record. Rhyne Hughes led the FSL with a .329 average. Sergio Pedroza was 2nd in the FSL with 22 home runs and both players were tied with the second best OPS (.907).

Columbus had their final seven games rained out. They will begin their best-of-3 first round playoff series on Wednesday against Augusta. Ryan Royster finished the regular season hitting .329-30-98 and has firmly established himself as one of the top hitting prospects in the Rays system. He was 4th in the SAL in hitting, tops in home runs, 2nd in RBI and lead the league with a .982 OPS. Desmond Jennings hit .315 with 45 steals in only 99 games, good for 4th in the SAL. Heath Rollinsled the league with 17 wins and was 2nd with 149 strikeouts.

Hudson Valley 10, Aberdeen 3.

Princeton concluded their regular season at 33-35, third in the AL East division. Michael Ross led the league with 36 stolen bases.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Chris Mason was named the top pitcher in the Southern League while Evan Longoria took home the honor as the league’s MVP. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  • Winning championships at the minor league level does not mean much when the parent club loses 90+ games every season, but the winning attitude must start some place and with the Montgomery Biscuits winning the Southern League championship in 2006, they are joined by Durham and Columbus in the playoffs this season. [TBO]
  • The first round of the International League playoffs will begin on Wednesday with the Bulls facing Toledo. These two teams have won the last four IL titles. JP Howell will pitch the opening game, and will be followed by Jeff Niemann and Jae Seo. [Durham Bulls]
  • The Devil Rays have announced their fall instructional league roster and it is a who’s who of the system’s top prospects, including David Price, Jake McGee and Ryan Royster. [Rays Digest]
  • In their final regular season game, the Durham Bulls set a single-game attendance record (11,071) and broke the team’s single-season attendance mark (520,952). [OurSportsCentral]
Aug 28

Down On The Farm: Heath Rollins Sets Organization Record For Wins

Evan Longoria, Heath Rollins, Jake McGee No Comments »

Norfolk 2, Durham 1 (game 1). JP Howell struck out 6 in 5 innings, but picked up the loss. Evan Longoria was 1-3 with a double and Jason Pridie drove in the only run.

Durham 8, Norfolk 3 (game 2). Jeff Niemann struck out 6 in 5.2 innings to win his 12th game. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and no walks. Evan Longoria was 0-2, but walked twice, scored 2 runs and drove in a run. Raul Cassanova was 3-4 with 5 RBI.

Daytona 4, Vero Beach 3. Jackson Brennan was 2-3 and hit his 9th home run.

Columbus 5, Savannah 3. After 12 starts with Princeton Jeremy Hall made his first start with Columbus and pitch 6 strong innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits. He did walk 4 batters while striking out 4. Ryan Royster was 2-4 and is now hitting .325 with 28 home runs and 96 RBI.

Hudson Valley 9, Oneonta 6. Cody Cipriano was 3-5 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

Princeton 12, Elizabethton 2. Michael Ross was 0-3, but did walk twice and scored 3 runs. He also stole his 33rd and 34th bases of the season in 55 games.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • The Montgomery Biscuits game versus Carolina was postponed.
  • Evan Longoria is trying not to let his new found fame get to his head. [The News & Observer]

“I’ve never been highly touted or a big prospect — until now,” said Longoria, who who went to Long Beach State and was the third overall pick in the 2006 draft. “I’ve always had to work to get where I am.

“I didn’t really have a scholarship out of high school. I had to work to get to a Division I school. Those things humbled me and make me work harder every day and try a little harder than the next guy.”

  • Kevin Gengler takes a close look at the Durham Bulls and their push for the playoffs. [Tampa Bay's Tomorrow]
  • He does the same with the Montgomery Biscuits. [Tampa Bay's Tomorrow]
  • On Sunday, Jake McGee moved to 3-1 in four AA starts throwing 7 shutout innings, striking out 9 and walking none. [MiLB]
  • On Friday, Heath Rollins became the first minor leaguer to record 16 wins. In doing so, we believe he also set a Devil Rays organizational record. [MiLB]
Aug 21

Down On The Farm: Two More Farmhands Take Home Awards

Doug Waechter, Heath Rollins, Jake McGee No Comments »

Montgomery 4, Birmingham 3. Wade Davis allowed only one base runner (a walk) and faced the minimum over the first 6 innings, taking a no-hitter into the 7th, before giving up a lead-off single. He struck out 5 and walked 1 in 6.2 innings to pick up his 5th win. He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and his ERA now sits at 3.16. Reid Brignac was 1-3 with an RBI.

Palm Beach 9, Vero Beach 2 (game 1). In the first game of his most recent rehab assignment, Rocco Baldelli DH’d and went 0-2, flying out to center twice and had a walk. Derek Feldkamp allowed 2 runs in 5 innings, leaving with the score tied at 2-2.

Vero Beach 6, Palm Beach 1. Rocco Baldelli did not play in the second game. Mike Kamrath pitched a complete game, striking out 7 and allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. Sergio Pedroza hit 2 home runs and drove in 3. He has 3 home runs in the last 2 days and 22 on the season.

Princeton 3, Kingsport 1 (11 innings). Chris Andujar gave up 1 run in 5 innings. Omar Luna broke the 1-1 tie with an RBI double in the 11th.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • The Durham Bulls and Columbus Catfish had a scheduled night off, while Hudson Valley was postponed due to rain.
  • The say many pitchers don’t learn how to pitch until they have had their first major surgery. That may be the case for Doug Waechter as he continues on his comeback trail down in A-ball. [MiLB]

“My fastball is getting back to where it was pre-surgery and I’ve started throwing a cut fastball, which is not only helping me stay consistent with my delivery, but it’s also allowing me to get quicker outs.”

While quicker outs ultimately will lead to more favorable results, Waechter has his eyes set on a much bigger prize.

“My goal is to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as possible. If this is the year, so be it, but I’m just going to continue to go out there, show that I’m healthy and just leave the rest up to the team to decide,” he said.

  • Jake McGee was named the Southern League’s pitcher of the week. [Stacy Long's Riverwalk Talk]
  • Heath Rollins was named the SAL pitcher of the week for the third time this season. He is 15-4 with a 2.57 ERA. [Basil's Blog]
Aug 14

Down On The Farm: We Better Start Remembering The Name Ryan Royster

Chris Mason, Heath Rollins, Jeff Niemann, Mitch Talbot, Ryan Royster No Comments »

Durham 4, Charlotte 0. Mitch Talbot moved to 11-8 with 7 shutout innings. He is 5-1 in his last 6 starts and now tied with teammate Jeff Niemann for the IL lead in victories. Wes Bankston hit his 11th home run. Evan Longoria was given the night off.

Columbus 5, Hickory 2. Ryan Royster hit his 9th home run in the last 10 games. In those 10 games, he is 16-40 (.400) with 21 RBI and 15 runs scored. On the season he is 5th in the league with a .323 average and a league-leading 25 home runs. He has 87 RBI with a .951 OPS. Heath Rollins picked up his 14th win, allowing 2 unearned runs in 5 innings on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 6.

Bristol 4, Princeton 1.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM…

  • Montgomery, Vero Beach and Hudson Valley all had the night off.
  • Devil Rays farmhands have the most wins in the International League (Jeff Niemann/Mitch Talbot, 11), the Southern League (Chris Mason, 13) and the third most in the South Atlantic League (Heath Rollins, 13).
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