Results tagged ‘ Jared Prince ’
Season in Review: August
With Mike Olt gone because of promotion, Chris McGuiness took up the slack and led Frisco’s offensive charge throughout the month of August. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/RoughRiders)
The 2012 Frisco RoughRiders season was an unquestioned success. The ’Riders won the first half South Division title, finished with an 80-60 record (good for the second-best overall mark in the Texas League) and advanced to the Texas League Championship Series before losing to the Springfield Cardinals. Along the way, there were standout performances from big-time prospects, thrilling games and terrific storylines. Before looking ahead to the 2013 season, we look back at a special 2012 campaign that proved to be a memorable one for the ’Riders.
AUGUST
Record: 19-10 (1st of 8 TL teams)
Average: .269 (4th)
Home Runs: 19 (T-5th)
ERA: 3.31 (1st)
Top Offensive Players: Leury Garcia (.324-0-3, 2B, 3 3B, 9 R, 8-10 SB, .420/.426/.846), Chris McGuiness (.326-3-18, 8 2B, 14 R, .430/.505/.935), Jared Prince (.317-3-11, 4 2B, 11 R, .378/.476/.853)
Top Pitchers: Wilfredo Boscan (6 GS, 3-1, 2.73 ERA, 33 IP, 29 H, 31 K, 7 BB, 1.09 WHIP, .238 BAA), Cody Buckel (5 G, 4 GS, 3-0, 3.38 ERA, 26.2 IP, 23 H, 25 K, 8 BB), Wilmer Font (9 G, 1-0, 3.21 ERA, 1 SV, 14 IP, 9 H, 26 K, 7 BB, .180 BAA), Carlos Pimentel (7 G, 2 GS, 0-1, 0.50 ERA, 18 IP, 8 H, 20 K, 11 BB, 1.06 WHIP, .136 BAA), Ryan Rodebaugh (10 G, 1-2, 1.76 ERA, 2-2 SV, 15.1 IP, 11 H, 18 K, 2 BB, 0.85 WHIP, .204 BAA), Ross Wolf (12 G, 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 5-5 SV, 12 IP, 11 H, 11 K, BB, 1.00 WHIP)
Consistency is what made the RoughRiders so successful l in the season’s first two months. Led by a very good pitching staff and an opportunistic offense, Frisco put together the best record in the Texas League over first half. But that consistency abandoned the team for most of June and July and the ’Riders, though they had already qualified for the playoffs, looked like they would be due for an early exit. Corpus Christi was leading the division and looked particularly strong against Frisco. After some early season struggles, the Hooks won 11 of 14 games against the ’Riders in June and July.
But in August, Frisco got back to the formula that made the squad so good in the first place: terrific pitching and just enough offense. The ’Riders saw their rotation stabilize and bullpen bolstered with the additions of hard throwing right-handers Wilmer Font and Roman Mendez. That helped offset the tremendous loss of Mike Olt, who was called up to the big leagues early in the month.
Olt, who was among the league leaders in most offensive categories at the time of his promotion, was replaced by Tommy Mendonca, who was not producing at Triple-A Round Rock but rediscovered his offensive game back in the Texas League. Mendonca, Chris McGuiness, Leury Garcia, Jared Prince, Jared Hoying and Engel Beltre all took turns leading the offense in August.
As the team was primed for their playoff run, Frisco would be presented one more challenge by the end of the month with one last prominent player departing for the Majors.
TIMELINE:
August 1:Four roster moves are made before tonight’s game against Midland, most notably the addition of hard-throwing reliever Wilmer Font from Myrtle Beach. With a temperature of 106 degrees in Frisco at first pitch, this is the hottest start time for a ’Riders game this season. Frisco loses 6-5 in 12 innings despite Mike Olt’s Double-A leading 28th home run. After the game, news breaks that Olt has been promoted to the Rangers, where he will remain for the rest of the year. In 95 Texas League games, he hit .288 with 28 homers, 17 doubles, a triple and 82 RBI.
Tommy Mendonca salvaged his difficult 2012 season upon returning to Frisco early in the month. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/RoughRiders)
August 2: With Olt officially a Texas Ranger and the 106th RoughRiders player to make the Major Leagues, Frisco only manages two runs against RockHounds prospect Sonny Gray. Midland, however, gets blanked by four Frisco pitchers in a combined three-hitter as the ’Riders win 2-0. Mark Lowe finishes his rehab stint with Frisco by pitching two scoreless innings. Tommy Mendonca, a ’Rider and TL All-Star in 2011, arrives from Triple-A Round Rock to play third base in Olt’s absence.
August 4: After four straight no-decisions, Barret Loux (6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 K) wins for the 13th time in 2012 in a 6-1 victory at the Missions. Eight of nine Frisco batters reach base at least twice and the win ensures that the RoughRiders will finish with a winning record against division bully San Antonio for the first time since 2008.
August 6: Jared Hoying blasts a first inning home run, but so too does San Antonio’s Nate Freiman, igniting a fierce Missions attack in a 12-4 ’Riders loss. It clinches what will be the only series defeat of the month for the Frisco nine.
August 8: Chris McGuiness and Mendonca both crack two run home runs in the third inning at Tulsa, providing just enough offense in a 4-3 victory.
August 9: Former All-Star pitcher Lee Smith throws the ceremonial first pitch before Frisco’s game at Tulsa and seems to steal the “closer mojo” from ’Riders stopper Ross Wolf. Frisco takes a 6-2 lead into the ninth inning before the Driller strike for three runs against Wolf and put the tying runner in scoring position. The normally automatic Wolf settles down to strike out prospect third baseman Nolan Arenado and deliver the RoughRiders a stressful 6-5 win.
August 11: Nick Tepesch (6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K, balk) is a bit shaky, but the ’Riders string together 16 hits and homers from Jared Prince and Mendonca to beat Northwest Arkansas 10-3.
August 12: The ’Riders take a 2-0 lead into the seventh at the Naturals, but Northwest Arkansas ties it and then takes a two-run lead in the eighth inning. Frisco, 0-43 when trailing after eight frames this season, shocks the Nats when McGuiness hits a grand slam off Brendan Lafferty and the ’Riders go on to win 6-4. It is McGuiness’ second slam of the year and it starts a hot stretch that continues for the rest of the South Carolinian’s season. In a strange statistical quirk, McGuiness has now homered in seven of the 14 games he has played on Sundays.
August 13:Again, the ’Riders blow a late lead at Northwest Arkansas but this time are unable to rally back in a 4-3 loss. The game ends when former RoughRiders catcher Manny Pina throws out Ryan Strausborger trying to steal third base with Jurickson Profar, who had homered earlier in the contest, standing in the batter’s box.
Wilfredo Boscan quietly emerged as a reliable starting pitcher, posting a 2.73 ERA and a 31-7 K/BB ratio in August. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/RoughRiders)
August 15: The Rangers send electric reliever Roman Mendez (up from Myrtle) and utility man Guilder Rodriguez (down from Round Rock) to Frisco. That night, Wilfredo Boscan (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K) pitches marvelously against Tulsa in a no-decision. McGuiness’ two-run double triggers a three-run bottom of the eighth and Frisco pulls out a 4-2 victory. It is his fifth game-winning base hit of 2012 (he will finish with six in total), the most on the team.
August 17: Behind a bloodlessly efficient Nick Tepesch (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K on just 78 pitches), Frisco silences the Drillers once again in a 5-1 win. Nolan Arenado’s two-out, ninth inning solo home run off Mendez is the only thing that prevents a shutout as the ’Riders sweep Tulsa for the second time this season.
August 18: After playing 123 games, the RoughRiders are rained out for the first time all season with the Naturals in town.
August 19: Playing their first doubleheader of the year, the ’Riders dispose of Northwest Arkansas twice. Mendonca hits two solo home runs in a 3-0 game one win while Alex Buchholz goes deep in game two, also won by Frisco 3-1.
August 20: Mendonca and Tepesch are named TL “Player” and “Pitcher of the Week,” respectively. Frisco gets another dominant pitching performance from a starter, as Cody Buckel (6 IP, 5 H, R, 0 BB, 7 K) handcuffs the Naturals in a 6-1 win. Prince, who has been heating up as the month goes on, swats a three-run home run – his 11th of the season – in the fifth inning as the RoughRiders finish their home stand with a perfect 6-0 record.
August 22: It is looking like a lost night for the ’Riders midway through their second game in San Antonio. Frisco leaves eight men on base over the first four innings – including the bases loaded twice – and Loux yields five runs in the fourth after looking very good early. Down 7-1 through five frames, the RoughRiders mount their biggest comeback of the season. They score two runs in the sixth inning, three in the seventh and three more in the ninth to emerge with a 9-7 victory, the team’s eighth straight. Hoying puts Frisco on top for the first time with a two-run double in the final frame. The team bangs out a season-high 20 hits with Hoying (4-for-5, 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R), Profar (5-for-6, 2B, 2 R), Engel Beltre (3-for-5, RBI, 2R, SB, HBP), McGuiness (3-for-4, RBI, BB, HBP) and Strausborger (3-for-6) leading the way offensively.
August 23: Frisco’s season-best eight-game win streak ends with a 9-3 loss to the Missions. Former RoughRiders pitcher Robbie Erlin (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R) gets the win.
August 25: The RoughRiders and RockHounds are rained out in Midland. Meanwhile at Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi defeats San Antonio 5-2 to clinch a spot in the postseason, where they will face Frisco in the South Division Championship Series next month.
August 26: Frisco and Midland play a long doubleheader, which is swept by the RoughRiders. Steve Buechele’s club takes game one by a 4-2 score. The seven-inning contest takes two hours and 36 minutes while game two takes an even longer two hours and 50 minutes. Frisco takes that game 11-4. Hoying has six hits on the day while Strausborger provides a pair of triples.
August 27:A strange series comes to a strange end in another long game at Citibank Ballpark. Midland ties it at 1-1 in the fourth inning and the score does not change for some time. The game goes to extra innings and the ’Riders, out of pitchers after the doubleheader the day before, insert infielder Rodriguez into the game to pitch in the 11th. To the amazement of his teammates, G-Rod throws a scoreless 11th and 12th innings with two strikeouts. His magic runs out in the 13th inning when a walk and an Anthony Aliotti double send the RockHounds to a 2-1 win in three hours and 44 minutes.
Before the season, most knew that Jurickson Profar would one day reach the big leagues. Few expected it to happen for him in 2012 as a 19-year-old. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/RoughRiders)
August 28: In a playoff preview, the ’Riders return home to face Corpus Christi and win a taut 2-1 affair. Up by a run in the ninth inning, Frisco allows the Hooks to load the bases with one out before Ryan Rodebaugh slams the door shut with back-to-back strikeouts, ending the game. In a foreshadowing of a future role, Profar enters the game late after starting on the bench. He repeats this in each of the next two contests.
August 29: Strausborger triples twice and Buckel (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K) handles the Hooks bats in a 3-0 Frisco win. With Beltre’s triple the next day Frisco will finish the season with 59 three-baggers for the season, the most by any team in Minor League Baseball.
August 31: The RoughRiders play another tight game with the Hooks and lead 2-0 before Corpus Christi ties it up in the seventh against Justin Grimm, who is back from Round Rock to adjust to pitching out of the bullpen. Zach Zaneski snaps the 2-2 tie with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning and then later scores to give Frisco the lead. In the ninth, Wolf gives up a home run and puts the tying runner at first base, but escapes thanks to a game-ending double-play as the ’Riders win 4-3 and capture the series. After the game, the Rangers announce that Profar will be called up to the Major Leagues the next day when big league rosters expand.
Coming next week: Our season in review series concludes with a look back at September and the playoffs.
- Alex V.
‘Riders Fantasy Football
Football training camps are underway across the country which means it’s time for fans to dust off their computers and draft fantasy football teams. Frisco pitcher Ross Wolf has played for the past eight seasons and plans on playing in three leagues this season.
“I draft differently for each league depending on the point system,” Wolf said. “I don’t really have a strategy going in but I pick the best players that I can from what’s available.
The highest he’s ever finished in a league was second. He placed fourth last year which he said was a miracle after the team he started with.
“I drafted Peyton Manning in the third round,” Wolf said. “Then he got hurt and I had to make some key trades last year.”
We asked him which RoughRiders he would put at each position if they were a football team.
“Olt is definitely a running back. Our tight end would be maybe Hoying. Profar would be either a wide receiver or cornerback. Princey would be our quarterback. Zaneski is a linebacker and I think Leury Garcia would be a running back too because he’s got the build,” Wolf said.
We also went to Jared Prince, one of Frisco’s outfielders who was also an all-state quarterback in high school. Then we talked to the RoughRiders’ Strength and Conditioning Coach Eric McMahon. Here are their picks.
Jared Prince’s Gridiron Warriors
Quarterback: Jared Prince
Running Back: Leury Garcia
Fullback: Ryan Rodebaugh
Flex: Ryan Strausborger
Wide Receiver: Jared Hoying
Left Tackle: Barret Loux
Left Guard: Miguel De Los Santos
Center: Jose Felix
Right Guard: Chris McGuiness
Riight Tackle: Nick Tepesch
Tight End: Val Majewski
Kicker: Cody Buckel
Defensive End: Zach Osborne
Defensive Tackle: Wilfredo Boscan
Defensive Tackle: Jake Brigham
Defensive End: Carlos Pimentel
Outside Linebacker: Alex Buchholz
Middle Linebacker: Zach Zaneski
Middle Linebacker: Mike Olt
Outside Linebacker: Tim Murphy
Cornerback: Jurickson Profar
Safety: Neal Ramirez
Cornerback: Engel Beltre
Punter: Richard Bleier
Eric McMahon’s RoughRiders
Quarterback: Jared Prince
Running Back: Leury Garcia
Fullback: Ryan Rodebaugh
Flex: Ryan Strausborger
Wide Receiver: Neal Ramirez
Left Tackle: Barret Loux
Left Guard: Miguel De Los Santos
Center: Jose Felix
Right Guard: Zach Zaneski
Right Tackle: Nick Tepesch
Tight End: Val Majewski
Kicker: Cody Buckel
Defensive End: Zach Osborne
Defensive Tackle: Wilfredo Boscan
Defensive Tackle: Jake Brigham
Defensive End: Mike Olt
Outside Linebacker: Carlos Pimentel
Middle Linebacker: Chris McGuiness
Middle Linebacker: Alex Buchholz
Outside Linebacker: Tim Murphy
Cornerback: Engel Beltre
Safety: Jared Hoying
Cornerback: Jurickson Profar
Punter: Richard Bleier
Story by Jarah Wright
Making Music
The RoughRiders have many talents on and off the field. Earlier this season we talked to outfielder Jared Prince, infielder Alex Buchholz, and pitcher Chad Bell to see if they would let us film their musical talents. Here is their rendition of Kenny Chesney’s You and Tequila. The guys also take requests which can be sent to media@ridersbaseball.com.
Video shot by Alex Yocum-Beeman
2012 RoughRiders Baseball Academy
The 2012 RoughRiders Baseball Academy was held at Dr Pepper Ballpark on June 11th, 12th, and 14th. Eager young baseball players were able to get the chance to learn from current RoughRiders’ players and coaches.
Over 100 boys showed up for this year’s baseball academy. (Michael Damman)
Coach Jason Hart reads off the teams and what players will be with each group. (Jarah Wright)
One little boy focuses on listening to instructions on the first day. (Jarah Wright)
The guys meet out in center field to stretch before starting the day’s drills. (Michael Damman)
Everyone spreads out in a circle to stretch. (Michael Damman)
Three players focus on perfecting their squats during stretching. (Jarah Wright)
Bats and gloves line the rim of the circle. (Jarah Wright)
One player looks at another player to make sure he is stretching his fingers out correctly. (Jarah Wright)
Outfielder Jared Prince works on showing the boys how to perfect the “ready” position. (Jarah Wright)
After fielding the ball cleanly, he flips the ball to throw it back. (Michael Damman)
‘Riders reliever Joseph Ortiz hits balls to the boys to work on their fielding skills. (Michael Damman)
‘Riders reliever Ryan Rodebaugh imparts wisdom to the players. (Michael Damman)
One player keeps his eye on the ball while fielding some pop ups in center field. (Michael Damman)
One player focuses on throwing the ball in quickly. (Michael Damman)
One player tries his best to avoid looking into the sun while making the catch. (Michael Damman)
While working on catching fly balls with ‘Riders infielder Alex Buchholz, one player makes the grab at the wall. (Michael Damman)
In left field, players worked on turning double plays. (Michael Damman)
The flip made it to second and the pair turned the double play. (Michael Damman)
Bunting is the focus of the drill in the visitor’s bullpen. (Michael Damman)
Outfielder Ryan Strausborger worked with the boys on reading the pitcher’s pickoff move and diving back to the bag. (Jarah Wright)
Ladder drills helped the boys improve their footwork. (Jarah Wright)
Frisco Strength and Conditioning Coach Eric McMahon timed the boys as they ran shuttle drills. (Jarah Wright)
After knowing his first time, this player works on being even quicker. (Jarah Wright)
Under the watchful eye of pitching coach Jeff Andrews, this player focuses on hitting the ball. (Jarah Wright)
The boys earned points for where they hit the ball. (Jarah Wright)
One player looks on while another one takes swings off a tee in the batting cages. (Jarah Wright)
Interview with Jared Prince
Frisco broadcaster Alex Vispoli talked to RoughRiders outfielder Jared Prince about the beginning of this season, Brad Hawpe as a mentor, growing up in Washington, and the secret to making diving catches.
Vispoli: We’re joined by outfielder Jared Prince who homered in Sunday’s game [May 13} against the Corpus Christi Hooks. Jared, first of all congratulations. I know that home run didn’t come at a key spot in the game but sometimes, it’s difficult to keep your concentration late in games like that when the team is down but you managed to do it.
Prince: Yeah you know in that situation, this team, we’re always fighting so any way we can get something going. We didn’t end up doing it but any way you can get something going to come out, even getting some momentum coming into [Monday] helps out.
Vispoli: It almost feels like a loss in a series when the team only wins two out of four. It’s been amazing this team has won every series but the two that they’ve played in Corpus.
Prince: Well yeah. They’re a competitive group over there and we’re a competitive group and we don’t lose that much and we battle. We love to win so you know even when we split, it kind of feels like we lose and that’s usually not the case. That’s probably a good thing I guess.
Vispoli: Does this feel a little bit like the start of the Myrtle season last year when you guys were just tearing up the Carolina League?
Prince: Absolutely, just the formula is right there with the first and foremost the good pitching and good defense behind it and the timely hitting and just a bunch of competitors from the pitchers and position guys all around. It feels a lot like the Myrtle season.
Vispoli: Tell me a little bit about your manager Steve Buechele. He’s in his third year in Double-A. It seems like he does a great job keeping you guys in tune with the game and rotating guys throughout the season. What’s it like playing for Steve?
Prince: Bue is great. He’s very positive and he keeps us going and I mean I have a lot of good to say about Bue so far.
Vispoli: Well another way that this season sort of feels a little bit like last season for you is that it has not gotten off to the strongest start and I saw you last year. I know the kind of ballplayer you’re capable of being and you know the same but what is it about the early part of the season for you that just have a hard time getting going?
Prince: I wish I could tell you. I don’t know. It’s just April and the early part of May is just a tough time for me to kinda get in my groove and once I capture it, though, I ride it and really don’t look back so I’m feeling good and looking to capture that feeling and go with it.
Vispoli: Do you think that maybe part of the reason is because you haven’t been out there every single day because with Brad here, getting him playing time, getting Val playing time, you’re not penciled in there every single day. Is that a little bit of an adjustment for you to make as well?
Prince: Absolutely. Yeah. Last year in Myrtle, off to the slow start but I was in there every day so I kinda got to figure things out and now when I figure something out, maybe I’m down the next day. It’s just an adjustment I got to make and other guys need playing time so when I’m in there, I need to take advantage of the time that I get.
Vispoli: That said, what is it like playing alongside a guy like Brad Hawpe, a player who spent eight years in the big leagues, over a hundred home runs. He’s been a big league all-star the last time he was healthy for a season. He must just be amazing to see the way he goes about his business and someone for you to look up to as a role model.
Prince: Absolutely. Brad is great. I try to pick his brain as much as I can and you know he’s very insightful and yeah he’s a tremendous role model. He’s a great guy first and foremost. He’s just a good dude and he’s been a real treat to have here.
Vispoli: Is there anything specific that you have been able to glean from him?
Prince: Just picking apart his brain. Getting in there about the little things that he does, tricks of the trade, and stuff like that and stuff that has worked for him in the past and currently and stuff that he’s seen guys do. Believe me, I’m all in his brain trying to get as much as I can out of him while he’s here.
Vispoli: Well one thing that I think that you don’t need any help with is the way you dive for balls. You just have made so many highlight catches this year. Engel Beltre has made a lot of the, I think, more graceful ones but I compare you to a grinder, a dirt dog with some of the catches that you make. It seems like whenever you go down near a warning track, there’s a trail of dust kicking up because you’ve landed on it and more often than naught, you’ve come up with a catch.
Prince: Well here’s the secret. I’m going to let you in.
Vispoli: I’m all ears.
Prince: When I was growing up in Washington, me and my dad used to go out when the tide was out. We used to go and dad would hit tennis balls with a tennis racquet and we would dive, me and my brother would dive into tide pools and make diving catches so every time I make a diving catch or something like that, dad said was it really that good of a catch. I said nah. It was just like I’ve done a hundred times on a beach with a tennis ball and tennis racquet.
Vispoli: Sounds a little dangerous. You ever get like a sea urchin or something on the other side?
Prince: You know sometimes there’s crabs and stuff in there you gotta look out for. Sometimes we’d dive on a shell or something like that. We’ve gotten cut up but it was all good fun.
Vispoli: Tell me a little bit about growing up in Washington. You told me you’re a big Seattle Mariners fan. Griffey was your guy, a tough guy to emulate because he’s so special. Was there anything you would watch and try to do exactly like Griffey?
Prince: Well when I was young, I’d do everything like Griffey. I’d do the stance. I’d do the showboat way he used to catch the ball, all that stuff but I just love going to the games. I’m a big homer, big Seahawk guy, a big Sonic guy. Hopefully they come back soon but I just love watching the game and me and dad would play catch every day and hit whiffle balls and stuff like that and you know, make use of growing up in a kind of unusual spot. We’d go down to the water. We’d take batting practice. He’d flip rocks and you know, like I said diving in tide pools and stuff like that so we just kind of, not the traditional way of practicing but we got it done. We practiced.
Vispoli: It sounds like the hard knocks way of trying to catch a fly ball, diving into rocks, catching things in tidal pools. You went to college on the other side of the state at Washington State in Pullman. First of all, what was Pullman like? It’s in the middle of nowhere it seems.
Prince: Yes. It is very in the middle of nowhere. It’s cold. It is about an hour and a half from anything but that also adds a little bit to its charm because you’re in a small town, kind of a feel you don’t get at a lot of schools but it’s very intimate. You can say that but it was a good experience.
Vispoli: What are your thoughts on the Mike Leach hire for the football program?
Prince: Oh gosh, couldn’t have had a better hire there. It’s a great hire. He’s brought a lot of buzz to the program and they’re going to do some good things.
Vispoli: Being on the other side of the state and you’re from the Seattle area, do you get a chance to get back there very often since you finished up there?
Prince: I try to get back to one game a year and I’ve been able to do that the last few years so it’s a long trip over there. It’s five and a half hours so it takes awhile and it’s tough roads and everything like that but yeah, I do try to get over there once a year and catch a game. I got a lot of people over there that I still really like and like to see.
Vispoli: Well Jared congratulations on the home run on Sunday {May 13} and the best of luck out there the next time you’re in the lineup. Thanks for the time.
Prince: Alright, thank you.
Si or No
The RoughRiders take the field for batting practice. The cage is set up behind home plate. The first group of batters takes turns rotating in and out to work on laying down bunts. After all the guys in the group practice bunting, it’s time to hit away and the real fun begins.
Catcher Jose Felix hits away after a pitch by Jeff Andrews. (Jarah Wright)
‘Riders infielder Alex Buchholz steps in to take some cuts. He hits a ball deep to left field. While the ball is in the air several of the guys start shouting “Si or No? Si or No?” Buchholz says no and when the ball sails over the fence, he promptly moves to the side of the cage and does ten pushups.
Chris McGuiness does ten pushups after guessing incorrectly. (Jarah Wright)
It has become a familiar scene during pre-game at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Frisco catcher Jose Felix said the tradition of playing Si or No goes back farther than this season.
“We started doing it at spring training last year and it’s caught on,” Felix said. “We’ve been doing it here for the last two weeks. It’s a way to gauge your power and you have to know your power when you hit.”
Jared Prince watches James Vilade throw to the third group of hitters during batting practice. (Jarah Wright)
The game has become a feature of batting practice with several players taking part. Buchholz said he likes playing and it’s one way to stay relaxed at the plate during practice.
“The game is great. It’s a good way to loosen up during batting practice,” Buchholz said. “Everybody has fun with it.”
Written by: Jarah Wright
