Christopher Fee

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3133[/ATTACH] The Rochester Red Wings finished the 2012 season with a 72-72 record. I know that doesn't seem impressive, but when you haven’t reached that mark since 2008 and suffered back to back 90 loss seasons in 2010 and ’11, it’s a step in the right direction. There was a buzz about the ball park Friday. General Manager Dan Mason said that he was “very excited” about the 2013 season, and why shouldn't he be? The team is heading in the right direction, and manager Gene Glynn led one of the worst teams in the International League and made them relevant again. While there were many challenges last season, including 56 different players on the roster, 23 of them went on to play for the Minnesota Twins at some point last season. Along with the changes in position players, there was a constant turnstile of starting pitching as well. Last year Rochester had a mind-blowing 19 different starters last year take the mound. The Wings manager was about guys like Aaron Hicks and Kyle Gibson, who may end up in Rochester or with the Twins to start the year, Glynn responded by saying “You hope they make the big league club, but if not they’ll probably be here to start with. Right now they’re really planning on Hicks being in the big leagues. With Joe Benson, Thomas, Wilkin Ramirez, Willingham, Mastroianni, Doumit, there’s a bunch of veterans and young guys that want to get one of those two spots that might be open.” Glynn also touched on the importance of not only winning at the Triple-A level, but also in continuing to develop talent for the big league team. “One great thing about Minnesota is, if you’re the best player at the time they need somebody they’re going to take you. It helps motivate the players they bring in, give them an opportunity to not only play here but at the big leagues.” As some may know, last season was n interesting season when it came to the organization. The Red Wings played their home games at Frontier Field; but hosted 40 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees home games as well. Dan Mason spoke of how he thinks fan support will change with only one team versus two in Rochester this year. “I think it’ll be more like a normal season, with only 72 games as oppose to 112 that we had last year. The fans will know there will only be one team. For the Yankee fans that come here, they’ll have to circle the dates for the 8 games the Yankees come to town.” Mason also discussed the current minor leaguers in the system, and potential players coming to Rochester this summer. “All the guys the Twins have signed and brought to minor league camp are very encouraging, because there is going to be great competition. There’s only a few spots open between the rotation and the bullpen up in Minnesota, whoever doesn’t make it has a great chance of being here. We could have 5 guys with Major League experience pitching here on Opening Day, that’s always a great thing to have at the Triple-A level.” Spring training begins in 16 days, when pitchers and catchers report to the Twins complex in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Wings season begins April 4th in Buffalo against the Bisons.

[attachment=7016:4347.attach] Calling the 2013 Rochester Red Wings season a roller coaster ride would be considered a drastic understatement. Rochester started off the year at 2-11, went on to finish the season 77-67, clinched a wild card birth, and made their first playoff appearance in seven years. This years team is completely different, none of the current pitchers were on last years opening day roster, and just three position players from opening day are returning. After the momentum that was built from the 2013 team, manager Gene Glynn has a lot of talent on this team, and the expectations are higher than ever. [B][U]Starting Rotation (With 2013 Teams & Stats) [/U][/B] [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=539438"]Scott Diamond[/URL]: Fort Meyers: 0-0 7.20 ERA 5 IP 0 BB 3 SO Rochester: 4-0 2.41 ERA 41.0 IP 9 BB 19 SO Minnesota: 6-13 5.43 ERA 131 IP 36 BB 52 SO [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=543542"]Alex Meyer[/URL]: 2013 Season GCL Twins: 0-0 1.08 ERA 8.1 IP 3 BB 16 SO New Britain: 4-3 3.21 ERA 70 IP 29 BB 84 SO Glendale (AFL): 2-1 3.12 ERA 26 IP 7 BB 28 SO [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453241"]Kris Johnson[/URL]: 2013 Season Indianapolis: 10-4 2.39 ERA 135.2 IP 43 BB, 94 SO Pittsburgh: 0-2 6.10 ERA 10.1 IP 4 BB 9 SO [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=543507"]Trevor May[/URL]: 2013 Season New Britain: 9-9 4.51 ERA 151.2 IP 67 BB 159 SO [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=592244"]Logan Darnell[/URL]: 2013 Season New Britain: 6-6 2.61 ERA 96.2 IP 23 BB 77 SO Rochester: 4-4 4.26 ERA 57 IP 22 BB 43 SO Some familiar names are locked into the rotation for Rochester. Logan Darnell & Scott Diamond spent time with the Red Wings last season, and for Diamond it is the fourth straight year with Rochester. Alex Meyer, the 28[SUP]th[/SUP] overall prospect according to MLB.com top 100-prospect list is the biggest name in the rotation, and also the one with the highest expectations. 2014 is an important year for every player, but I would argue that it’s even more important for Trevor May. With the Twins off-season free agent signings, the expectation that Meyer will join the rotation in 2015, the window for May to be a starting pitcher in Minnesota is a small one. [B][U]Standout Pitcher[/U][/B] The obvious choice is to go with Alex Meyer or Scott Diamond, but as previously noted I believe that Trevor May has the most to prove this season. For the past two seasons May has had an ERA well above four, and the strikeout to walk ratio was around two to one. In order for this season to be a successful, his strikeout to walk ratio will need to improve to at least three to one, which will bring his ERA down as well. [B][U]Starting Lineup (With 2013 Team & Stats)[/U][/B] CF: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=LF&sid=t534&t=p_pbp&pid=518991"]Darin Mastroianni[/URL]: GCL Twins - .143, 0 HR 2 RBI, 2 SB Fort Myers - .400, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 SB Rochester - .240, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 4 SB Minnesota - .185, 0 HR, 5 RBi, 2 SB 2B: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=2B&sid=t534&t=p_pbp&pid=503437"]James Beresford[/URL]: New Britain - .316, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 5 SB Rochester - .298 0 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB RF: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=476633"]Chris Parmelee[/URL]: Rochester - .231, 3 HR, 22 RBI Minnesota - .228, 8 HR, 24 RBI 1B: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=434525"]Brad Nelson[/URL]: Iowa - .271, 20 2B, 20 HR, 71 RBI. 3B: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=3B&sid=t534&t=p_pbp&pid=466480"]Deibinson Romero[/URL]: New Britain - .355 3 HR, 6 RBI Rochester - .266, 10 HR, 50 RBI 4 SB LF: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=LF&sid=t534&t=p_pbp&pid=473922"]Chris Rahl[/URL]: Syracuse - .293, 8 HR, 42 RBI, 14 SB DH: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456544"]Eric Farris[/URL]: New Britain - .500 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB Rochester - .248, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 23 SB SS: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=SS&sid=t534&t=p_pbp&pid=542454"]Danny Santana[/URL]: New Britain - .297, 2 HR, 45 RBI, 22 2B, 30 SB. C: [URL="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518700"]Eric Fryer[/URL]:Rochester- .215, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 8 SB Minnesota - .385 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB Similar to the start of the 2013 season, the Red Wings have three catchers on their 25-man roster once again. Eric Fryer is expected to be the everyday catcher, however Dan Rohlfing & Chris Herrmann have experience playing other positions in addition to catcher. [B][U]Breakout Pick[/U][/B] Danny Santana is known for two things, his speed & his “shaky” defense. One of the things that the Red Wings prided themselves on last season was good defense and drawing walks, something that Santana has not done very well in either category. Hitting coach Tim Doherty stresses plate discipline and that is something Santana can benefit from, don’t be surprised to see Santana steal 40 bases in 2014, but also to draw 40+ walks as well, which would both be career highs. [B][U]Season Prediction[/U][/B] While Rochester has a very good team, Pawtucket & Buffalo have good rotations and perhaps a better overall offense than Rochester. Last season I drank the Kool-Aid and predicted a playoff birth. This season I expect the same, Rochester going 80-64, and for the first time since 1997, winning the IL North division title. View full article

[attachment=5889:2299.attach] After finishing an eight game home stand at 3-5, the Rochester Red Wings took the short trip up the New York Thruway to Syracuse to play the Chiefs (Nationals). Last season the Red Wings won just three games in Syracuse, something that they would match in their first trip to NBT Bank Stadium. [B][U]The Bats Come Alive[/U][/B] In their four game series against the Chiefs, Rochester scored 31 runs on 50 hits. Things change when you average almost eight runs per game, and just over 12 hits as well. Before their series began on Tuesday, the Red Wings had not scored more than seven runs in a game since April 7[SUP]th[/SUP], and through their first 18 games, Rochester had scored a total of 53 runs (2.9 runs per game). The Wings also continued to improve their average with runners in scoring position (RISP). In the four game road trip Rochester was 14-53 (.264), which is significantly higher than in previous weeks. [B][U]The Pitching Woes Continue[/U][/B] It seems so far this season, either the pitching or hitting is strong, but never at the same time, this trend continued. In the four games against the Chiefs, starting pitching combined to give up 11 runs in 23 innings (4.30 ERA). The bullpen had their own problems as well, in 18 1/3[SUP]rd[/SUP] innings; they gave up 10 runs (4.91 ERA), including two blown saves. [B][U]Coming Back Home[/U][/B] After going 3-1 on the road, improving their record to 8-14 on the season, Rochester returned to Frontier Field for a four game series against the Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays). Kyle Gibson pitched his best game of the season on Friday, going 6 2/3[SUP]rd[/SUP] innings, giving up just two hits, striking out seven. Caleb Thielbar and Tim Wood pitched the remaining 2 2/3[SUP]rd[/SUP] innings to preserve the shut out. Winners of four straight games entering Sunday, there were high hopes with Liam Hendriks on the mound, maybe the Wings winning streak would continue. Unfortunately for Rochester, and Hendriks, he was unable to contain the Buffalo offense, giving up eight hits and five runs in five innings pitched. Tyler Robertson and Daniel Turpen did pitch four shutout innings in relief, but the four run deficit would be too much for Rochester to overcome. If all aspects of this team clicks, there is still hope that they can have something to play for in September. [B][U] What’s Ahead[/U][/B] Now at 9-15 on the year, Rochester has two more games at home against the first place Bisons. The Red Wings then go on the road, starting a four game series against the Columbus Clippers (Indians). Last season the Red Wings went 6-2 against the Clippers, going 3-1 at Huntington Park. After four games in Columbus, Rochester continues to Toledo, playing four against the Mud Hens (Tigers). The Wings went 8-0 against Toledo last season, the only team Rochester went undefeated against in 2012. View full article

[attachment=5847:2299.attach] [SIZE=1]Photo [SIZE=1]Cou[SIZE=1]rtesy o[SIZE=1]f [SIZE=1]Richard Bobby Photography[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE] Coming off a dismal 1-5 road trip the Rochester Red Wings came home to start an 8 game home stand against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (Yankees) and Pawtucket Red Sox. Coming into their game Monday against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Wings had lost four in a row and had been outscored 24-8 in those games. [B][U]More of the Same[/U][/B] In the four games against the Railriders the Red Wings starters allowed 11 earned runs in 23 innings pitched, which translates to a 4.30 ERA. However, the bullpen continues to struggle, giving up 13 runs in just nine innings pitched (6.23 ERA). During the series the Red Wings were outscored 22 – 6, which included a 20 inning scoreless drought. When you only score six runs in four games, to blame the offense is an obvious choice. Exactly how much is the offense struggling though? In their four game series against the Railriders, Rochester was a combined 2-33 (.061) with runners in scoring position and 31 men were left on base. After the game Wednesday night, manager Gene Glynn talked a little bit about the teams early season struggles. “I was hoping that it wouldn’t get this deep. We had a couple of 8 game losing streaks last year early in season. I just want to put this behind us as soon as we can. You know that there’s a long season ahead, but it’s getting urgent that we turn this around.” After breaking their seven game losing streak on Thursday, the road was not going to get any easier as the International League North division-leading Pawtucket Red Sox were coming to town. Not only were the Red Sox in first place, but also they were getting better. Boston called DH David Ortiz up from Pawtucket on Friday afternoon, but sent top prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. down to the PawSox. [B][U]Is the team starting to click?[/U][/B] Friday night’s game was rained out, which meant the Red Wings would play one Saturday and a double header on Sunday, their second twinbill of the young season. Andrew Albers started for Rochester on Saturday; overall he has been one of the more reliable pitchers on the team. However due to cold weather, strong winds and control issues, Albers would only last two innings, giving up three runs on four hits. Over the remaining seven innings, the bullpen allowed just five hits and one run, while striking out five. While it wasn’t a jaw dropping offensive performance, it was still nice to see the team hit. The Red Wings went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position (RISP), but they capitalized on the Red Sox three errors, and Chris Colabello’s game winning HR in the 7[SUP]th[/SUP] inning helped Rochester get their first winning streak of the season. Kyle Gibson took the mound in game one of the double header on Sunday. Through 5 innings he looked great and the Red Wings were up 1-0. Unfortunately he was unable to retire anyone in the 6[SUP]th[/SUP] inning, Luis Perdomo was also unable to get anyone out in the 6[SUP]th[/SUP]. Five runs crossed the plate in the inning and the Red Sox added three more in the 7[SUP]th[/SUP], in an 8-1 Red Sox victory, ending the Red Wings two game winning streak. Game two was all about P.J. Walters, pitching a complete game two hitter, to give Rochester their first shutout of the season. Despite going 2 for 14 with RISP, it was still enough to pick up their third win in four games. [B][U]Let’s Look at the Numbers[/U][/B] In the Red Wings five wins this year, they have outscored their opponents 28-14. In their 12 losses, opponents have outscored Rochester, 78-23. Also in 12 of the 17 games played (71%), the Red Wings have scored 2 runs or fewer; they are 2-10 in those games. Chris Colabello and Clete Thomas are the only two Rochester players with batting averages above .300 for the year. There are seven players with averages at .200 or below, and three more players with averages below .220 for the season. Rochester has a combined team ERA of 6.43 through 17 games. However the team has an improving ERA of 4.80 over their past four games. [B][U]What Lies Ahead? [/U][/B] Now at 5-12 on the year, Rochester finishes their home stand tomorrow in game four of the series against Pawtucket. The Red Wings then stay local, heading east to Syracuse for a four game series against the Chiefs (Nationals). Last season Rochester was 5-11 against Syracuse, and 3-5 on the road at NBT Bank Stadium. The Red Wings then return home for a four game series against the Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays). The Wings are 1-3 against Buffalo this season, including 1-1 at Frontier Field. View full article