Results tagged ‘ Zach Zaneski ’
‘Riders on the Record: a cold night at home and a trip westward
‘Riders on the Record is a weekly rundown of the week’s pre-game radio interviews, usually with RoughRiders players and coachs. You can find all the past entries here.
Week four of ‘Riders on the Record was nearly an all-home edition. In the midst of the RoughRiders eight-game homestand, we spoke with Tyler Tufts, Zach Zaneski and Phil Klein for the first time this year. The ‘Riders hit the road on Friday night and Alex chatted with Teodoro Martinez for the first time this year before game one of the four-game series in Midland against the RockHounds. Highlights include the Rangers outfield philosophy from Joe Mikulik, Phil Klein’s emotions when throwing a perfect game in summer collegiate baseball, and Teodoro Martinez discussing the origin of his nickname “Cafe.”
Enjoy!
April 28, 2013 - Manager Steve Buechele
The Sunday conversation with Steve Buechele followed the worst defeat of the season for the RoughRiders, an 11-0 loss to the Corpus Christi Hooks. He talks as a former player about how mentally tough it can be to come from behind when down by a big margin. He empathizes with the difficulties Cody Buckel is having this season and, conversely, examines the tremendous start of Randy Henry.
April 29, 2013 – RHP Tyler Tufts
RoughRiders pitcher Tyler Tufts has had quite the year. From a promotion to Triple-A to a life-threatening medical emergency, 2012 was a wild ride for the right-hander. He talks about the fallout from the medical emergency including a silver-lining experience he took in with his family at the ballpark he grew up going to.
April 30, 2013 – Rangers Outfield Instructor Joe Mikulik
The Texas Rangers Outfield Instructor Joe Mikulik made his first trip to Frisco during the home stand. He explained what he does and what his job entails. He talked about the progression of the outfielders from level to level and the significance of situational defense in the Texas Rangers system.
May 1, 2013 – C Zach Zaneski
RoughRiders catcher Zach Zaneski talks about what it is like to be behind the plate to catch Frisco pitching. He explains the success this season for Carlos Pimentel and the decision to call a slider on a 3-2 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth the night before.
May 2, 2013 – RHP Phil Klein
Following his Double-A debut, a three inning outing with the Frisco RoughRiders, Phil Klein talks about his journey since his 30th round selection by the Rangers. He explains his increase in velocity and his early experiences in Texas.
May 3, 2013 – RHP Ryan Rodebaugh
After a blisteringly cold and windy day at Dr Pepper Ballpark, Ryan Rodebaugh discusses his first ever professional start in the difficult conditions. He’s asked about his college career as a starter and how he managed to block out the cold to pitch three scoreless innings in the spot-start.
May 4, 2013 – OF Teodoro Martinez
The son of a former big leaguer, Teodoro joined us on the pre-game show for the first time this season in the RoughRiders first trip to Midland. He talked about his improvement at the plate and his work with hitting coach Jason Hart. He also talks about the influence of his family on his baseball career and the notoriety of his father among baseball circles.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: Chin music – a pitch thrown up and inside on a hitter, usually designed to get the hitter to back off the plate
Reviewing the MiLB.com Rangers All-Stars (part 1)
Earlier today MiLB.com released its 2012 Rangers Organization All-Star Team and the RoughRiders were well-represented with six players named to the squad, more than any other team in the farm system (Round Rock, which ironically finished with the worst record of all the full-season teams, was second with five). So how did MiLB.com do with their picks? Let’s take a look at the catching and infield positions.
CATCHER
MiLB.com’s pick: Kellin Deglan, Hickory (92 G, .234-12-41, 25 2B, 2 3B, 46 R, .310 OBP, .438 SLG, .748 OPS, 7 E, 12 PB, 38% CS)
My pick: Deglan
Production-wise, it’s not a stellar crop to choose from but a case could be made for either one of Frisco’s catchers (Jose Felix and Zach Zaneski) and for Myrtle Beach’s Tomas Telis. Felix was arguably the best defensive catcher in the Texas League and made strides offensively while Zaneski’s batting average was over .300 for most of the year and got better behind the plate as the season went on. Telis’ offensive numbers, when observed through the hitter-unfriendly Carolina League prism, were actually fairly comparable to Deglan’s. For me, the difference came down to the numbers that were actually there, and the former first round pick Deglan swatted 12 home runs with 25 doubles, both impressive figures for a 20-year old catcher. It may all be a moot point in the long run, as Jorge Alfaro, who caught just 29 games, is probably the best prospect of the bunch. His lack of time behind the dish hurt him in this exercise, however.
FIRST BASE
MiLB.com’s pick: Chris McGuiness, Frisco (123 G, .268-23-77, 25 2B, 65 R, .366 OBP, .474 SLG, .840 OPS, 7 E)
My Pick: McGuiness
One of the newest members of the Indians organization, McGuiness had a terrific bounce back season with the ’Riders, giving Texas League hurlers a reason to throw hittable pitches to Mike Olt, who batted before the former Citadel star in Steve Buechele’s lineup. McGuiness established career-highs in home runs, doubles, runs batted in and runs scored while saving numerous throwing errors with excellent glove work at first base. Other fine seasons to consider for this spot belonged to the Round Rock combo of Mike Bianucci and Brad Nelson, Myrtle’s Brett Nicholas and the AZL Rangers’ Ronald Guzman.
SECOND BASE
MiLB.com’s pick: Yangervis Solarte, Round Rock (130 G, .288-11-54, 28 2B, 69 R, 3-4 SB, .340 OBP, .405 SLG, .745 OPS, 11 E at position)
My pick: Rougned Odor, Hickory (109 G, .259-10-47, 23 2B, 4 3B, 60 R, 19-29 SB, .313 OBP, .400 SLG, .714 OPS, 10 E at position)
My first disagreement with MiLB.com comes at the second base position. Solarte’s first season with the Rangers organization was also his first at the Triple-A level. It was his finest season to date in home runs, RBI and runs scored, but while I tend to give a little extra credit to offensive players in the Carolina League, I have to take some away from Pacific Coast Leaguers. Why? The circuit dramatically favors hitters in most years and 2012 was no exception. The PCL batting average and OPS for this past season were .278 and .775, respectively (the International League, by comparison, was .257 and .717). Solarte should certainly be congratulated for a fine season, but the 18-year-old Odor (he turns 19 this February) put up similar numbers in a less offensively-generous league while ranking among the best defensive second basemen in the South Atlantic League. His numbers did fall off in the second half of the year, but that is often the case for players in their first full season of professional ball. Added Frisco first name bonus: I’m looking forward to seeing Rougned playing for the RoughRiders, perhaps by the end of next season. Other second basemen whose seasons were worthy of note included Frisco’s Leury Garcia, Myrtle’s Odubel Herrera, Spokane’s Cam Schiller and the AZL Rangers’ Janluis Castro. So yeah, the Rangers are pretty well-stocked at this position.
THIRD BASE
MiLB.com’s pick: Mike Olt, Frisco/Texas (MiLB numbers: 95 G, .288-28-82, 17 2B, 3B, 65 R, 4-4 SB, .398 OBP, .579 SLG, .977 OPS, 11 E at position)
My pick: Olt
No brainer here, as a case could be made for Olt being the best third baseman in Minor League Baseball in 2012. After missing a good chunk of the previous season with a broken collarbone, the former UConn Husky was a one-man wrecking crew in Frisco. He looked capable of hitting the most home runs by a Texas Leaguer in more than a decade before the Rangers called him up to the big leagues in early August. He was slowed by a foot injury that he suffered just days into reaching Arlington, but that will likely become just a footnote in an otherwise solid big league career. While Olt was clearly the best at the hot corner for the Rangers, it would be remiss of me to not mention Joey Gallo, who spent time with both short-season clubs. The supplemental first rounder from this past June snapped Cody Decker’s AZL home run record with 18 long balls (he added four more with Spokane) while hitting .293 with a 1.169 OPS for the baby Rangers. Christian Villanueva, who spent most of 2012 with Myrtle before being traded to the Cubs, Hickory’s Drew Robinson and Spokane’s Ryan Rua also had noteworthy seasons.
SHORTSTOP
MiLB.com’s pick: Jurickson Profar, Frisco/Texas (MiLB numbers: 126 G, .281-14-62, 26 2B, 7 3B, 76 R, 16-20 SB, .368 OBP, .452 SLG, .820 OPS, 22 E at position)
My pick: Profar
Again, you can’t shoot too many holes in picking Profar, hailed by many as the best prospect in the game at the moment. From his preternatural ability to work a count to his off-the-charts makeup, there isn’t much to say about the 19-year-old Curacaoian (my favorite learned word of 2012) that hasn’t already been said. So how about this observation, for kicks and giggles:
First game of full season ball: Home run in his first at bat of the year for Hickory vs. Asheville on April 7, 2011
First hit at Double-A: Home run at Arkansas to deepest part of the ballpark on April 8, 2012
First at bat in 2012 XM Futures All-Star Game: Home run off top pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi in first inning
First MLB at bat: Home run at Cleveland on September 2, 2012
The man knows how to make an entrance, doesn’t he? With apologies to Allen Iverson, not to be forgotten at the shortstop position is Hanser “The Answer” Alberto, who put together a strong campaign between the two Single-A stops on the Minor League ladder.
Coming tomorrow: My thoughts on the outfield and pitching All-Star choices.
- Alex V.
Back To School
At the end of each season, many of the players head back to their home towns to rest and relax. Some players like RoughRiders catcher Zach Zaneski find part-time jobs that work with their off-season training programs.
Zaneski has been a substitute teacher in his home town of New London, Connecticut for the past four winters. His dad has been a teacher for over 30 years and works at the same school. He helped Zaneski start his teaching career.
“He set me up with everything in the beginning and kind of really just helped me go through the fingerprint process and got the information for what I needed to do to get started,” Zaneski said. “He was there in the beginning to help me and guide me on what to do in certain situations which made it really helpful.”
Zaneski’s family is full of teachers. His father is a teacher, his mom is a vice-principal, and his sister is a high school art teacher. Zaneski said teaching was a great opportunity for him.
“It was actually like the perfect fit. They need subs for the winter and that’s the only time I was there,” Zaneski said. “I can work from 7 to 2 and then I can work out and focus on my baseball career as well.”
Zaneski said he uses baseball as a way to connect to the students.
“Popularity of baseball is pretty high so you know whenever they say mister you play baseball and I say yeah, we kind of have something to relate to,” Zaneski said.
Being there for the kids is one aspect of the job that Zaneski said he enjoys and is one of the reasons he keeps returning to teach each winter.
“I would say obviously trying to help the kids and reach out and you know being a role model and a good guide if they need one,” Zaneski said. “You’re there just to help the kids and do what you can do.”
Story by Jarah Wright
Our All-Star Picks
In the Texas League, each team is allowed an all-star ballot for the lead broadcaster and a beat writer for their team. With the all-star team lineups being announced today, we decided to pick who we think will make the cut.
Michael Damman
Texas League North:
Catcher-Lars Davis, Tulsa Drillers
First Baseman- Johnny Whittleman, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Second Baseman- Kolten Wong, Springfield Cardinals
Third Baseman- Nolan Arenado, Tulsa Drillers
Shortstop- Josh Rutledge, Tulsa Drillers
Outfielder- Oscar Taveras, Springfield Cardinals
Outfielder- Wil Myers, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Outfielder- Carlo Testa, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Designated Hitter- Ben Paulsen, Tulsa Drillers
Starting Pitcher- Trevor Rosenthal, Springfield Cardinals
Reliever- Steven Geltz, Arkansas Travelers
Texas League South:
Catcher- Ali Solis, San Antonio Missions
First Baseman- Jonathan Singleton, Corpus Christi Hooks
Second Baseman- Jose Martinez, Corpus Christi Hooks
Third Baseman- Mike Olt, Frisco RoughRiders
Shortstop- Jurickson Profar, Frisco RoughRiders
Outfielder- Jeremy Barfield, Midland RockHounds
Outfielder- Brandon Barnes, Corpus Christi Hooks
Outfielder- Cody Decker, San Antonio Missions
Designated Hitter- Nathan Freiman, San Antonio Missions
Starting Pitcher- Justin Grimm, Frisco RoughRiders
Reliever- Jason Stoffel, Corpus Christi Hooks
Jarah Wright
Texas League North:
Catcher- Lars Davis, Tulsa Drillers
First Baseman- Johnny Whilttleman, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Second Baseman- Ryan Mount, Arkansas Travelers
Third Baseman- Nolan Arenado, Tulsa Drillers
Shortstop- Christian Colon, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Outfielder- Oscar Taveras, Springfield Cardinals
Outfielder- Carlo Testa, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Outfielder- Nick Van Stratten, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Designated Hitter- Ben Paulsen, Tulsa Drillers
Starting Pitcher- Trevor Rosenthal, Springfield Cardinals
Reliever- Ryan Dennick, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Texas League South:
Catcher- Zach Zaneski, Frisco RoughRiders
First Baseman- Jonathan Singleton, Corpus Christi Hooks
Second Baseman- Jonathan Galvez, San Antonio Missions
Third Baseman- Mike Olt, Frisco RoughRiders
Shortstop- Jurickson Profar, Frisco RoughRiders
Outfielder- Jeremy Barfield, Midland RockHounds
Outfielder- Engel Beltre, Frisco RoughRiders
Outfielder- Reymond Fuentes, San Antonio Missions
Designated Hitter- Nathan Freiman, San Antonio Missions
Starting Pitcher- Dan Straily, Midland RockHounds
Reliever- Ross Seaton, Corpus Christi Hooks
The All-Star teams will be announced today at 4 p.m. We will announced who made the cut on our Facebook and Twitter later today.
Draft Diaries: Following The Right Path
Major League Baseball holds their annual Amateur Draft from June 4 through the 6 this week, and we have decided to get a look from different angles on the Frisco RoughRiders. A very low percentage of draft picks ever reach the Major Leagues and those that do never take the exact same path to reach it. There will be 1,200 or so players drafted over the next three days and a large majority of them will likely never make it to Double-A, let alone the Big Leagues. Here are stories from those that have or have played roles in those that have.
Scouts always seem to be looking for the five-tool player who can develop into the next great talent for their teams. Many times the player is looked at for one specific position but there are some out there who are looked at for more than one. ‘Riders starter Tim Murphy is one example.
Murphy first drew interest as an outfielder at Rancho Buena Vista High School. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005 but decided to not sign and play baseball at UCLA. He didn’t pitch at all during his freshman year at UCLA but developed into one of their starters for his sophomore and junior years which was a role he said he grew into.
“Pitching was definitely the way to go. I talked to teams about both (being a pitcher and outfielder),” Murphy said. “Pitching was more in the cards than hitting was.”
The Texas Rangers selected Murphy in 2008 as a pitcher. He was with some of his friends at UCLA when he heard the news.
“I wasn’t at home. I was up at UCLA right before finals week and was actually at a buddy’s apartment. I was taken in the third round and I hadn’t really talked to the Rangers much,” Murphy said. “They were not a guess going into the draft. They actually called me a week before the draft during Super Regionals and asked a few questions. Next thing you know come draft day I was at my buddy’s house. We were all just hanging out and my coach called me and said Texas is going to take you in two or three picks. Sure enough two or three picks later Texas picked me and the area scout called me.”
While Murphy was drafted twice, some players are not drafted at all. This can be disappointing but does not mean that baseball careers are over. It can also open the door to free agency. For ‘Riders catcher Zach Zaneski, it was a tough process to go through.
“That was probably the craziest emotional week of my life. You couldn’t get much lower. I mean you can but it was really disappointing and really heartbreaking when I didn’t get drafted,” Zaneski said. “I didn’t have an agent then so I was just hoping that a scout with some team was going to call me and say we need a catcher somewhere.”
Zaneski said it was a few days before he heard anything from anyone. An independent team called him asking if he would play.
“I said okay and I flew to St Louis and played one game for the Midwest Sliders in the Frontier League,” Zaneski said. “Then Rick Matsko, the Rangers’ scout, called me and said they needed a catcher in Spokane. I was like alright so the next day I flew to Spokane, Washington. Within one week, I went from Connecticut to St Louis and from St Louis to Spokane. To actually sign with the Rangers was just a roller coaster.”
Zaneski said guys who don’t get drafted shouldn’t give up if playing baseball is the ultimate goal.
“Have faith and believe that whatever path happens is the right path.”
Written by: Jarah Wright
Interview with Zach Zaneski
Zach Zaneski has been one of the ‘Riders best hitters in the month of May. Frisco’s radio broadcaster Alex Vispoli had a chance to talk with the catcher about everything from his recent hot hitting to his college major, Marine Affairs.
Alex: You look like you’re swinging the bat as well as you have all year, do you feel comfortable up there?
Zach: I’ve just been working with harty and have been trying to iron things out and get better. You know that’s the name of the game, it’s always a work in progress and I’m just trying to get better at everything I’m doing. Never be satisfied or ok with what’s going on. I’ve been swinging it better and hopefully I can just keep improving.
Alex: Is it just the process you credit with getting you where you’re at right now?
Zach: Yea, sticking to my routine and getting here and doing early work. Working on some mechanical issues that I had and really just getting back to basics and focusing on seeing the baseball.
Alex: You’re not playing every single day, but it seems like you’re playing a little more than you were over the first couple weeks of the season and I’m sure that has helped too, to get adjusted to the jump in pitching at this level.
Zach: The more at bats the better, but it’s always good to play more. I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I have.
Alex: It’s not a situation that you’re not used to because last year you and Vinny DiFazio split time. So that part of the adjustment is something that you haven’t had to make.
Zach: Right last year, me and Vinny went every other day, so we knew today we’re playing and tomorrow we’re not. We played a lot of games and got a pretty good amount of at bats. I’m used to that, and it’s really whatever Bue is throwing at me, I’m ready for.
Alex: As a catcher and being your first year at this level, do you try to pick the brain at all of Jose? He’s been here for a year, this is his second year of Double-A. He has the experience at this level. Is there anything that you can glean from him or that he can share regarding how you call a game, receive, or footwork, etc.?
Zach: We were taught by Hector Ortiz, our catching coordinator, a lot of the same things as far as our footwork, receiving, and blocking, so we work together on that. But, it’s more about our relationship with our pitchers and knowing their strengths and weaknesses, and personalities. Also establishing relationships with them, so that when we get into the game we know what is going on and know what their strengths are and can get the most out of them.
Alex: How daunting is it at the beginning of the season to know that over the course of the year you have to catch in the neighborhood of probably 25 to 30 different pitchers, some of whom you may have caught in Spring Training, last year, or possibly haven’t at all? While knowing that you have to know the ins and outs as quickly as you can.
Zach: Sometimes it’s tough, but I just relate it back to Spring Training when I played one game and Koji Uehara came in and I had never caught him, even in a bullpen before. He doesn’t speak much English, so just the communication piece was tough. But we worked through it, and it’s a learning experience. I learned something from that, so every guy is different and you just have to get to know every guy.
Alex: Fans always wonder, how do you even communicate with a guy who doesn’t speak much English?
Zach: Well there’s definitely some boundaries there and when you go out and talk with somebody like that. There isn’t much you can say outside of “it’s ok, calm down” and hope he understands. You just want to make sure he knows the signs and you’re both ok on the signs. When you’re catching someone new like that you don’t have the relationship with them and it can make it difficult to understand what their best pitch is and their out pitch. It’s difficult at times.
Alex: Yesterday’s ball game, there was a lot going on there in the ninth inning. You have runners on second and third with nobody out and a two run lead. It looks like the game is at least going to be tied. When you have the meeting out there with the entire infield and Bue, what is the manager saying in that situation? Is he laying out where the throws are going out and every scenario you have to worry about?
Zach: It was great, he came out and said “Ok, we’re going to walk this guy and we’re going to get a groundball from the next guy, double play in the middle.” And it just so happened, we walked the guy, and first pitch was a sinker, and we got the groundball and double play and that was it, so it was pretty fun!
Alex: Not saying it’s all luck there to call that, but Steve Buechele has been around a few ball games and when he says something like that, it probably hones in that our manager really knows his stuff.
Zach: Absolutely, we have confidence in him and we’re playing for him every day, as well as ourselves. We believe him, believe the things he says, and when he talks, everybody listens. He’s a natural leader and we’re having fun playing for him.
Alex: You went undrafted out ofRhode Island. A lot of catchers will get picked up after a draft to help out with a lot of the new pitchers and maybe keep them on for half a season. But, you have managed to not only stick around, but you were an all-star in the Carolina League last year and you’re getting significant playing time in Double-A. Do you ever take a step back and say “wow this has been an amazing ride that I’ve been given here?”
Zach: Yea, that’s natural and you know I would sit around a fire with my mom and dad and we’d talk about it. It is, it’s been a fun crazy ride. But at the same time, I’m always searching for more and expecting more for myself. Even when I didn’t get drafted, I always knew that I could play. I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder because of that. I think that it’s only helped me keep getting better in this game and hopefully I can take that all the way to the big leagues.
Alex: Growing up in easternConnecticut, you were a Boston Red Sox fan as you were raised. I would imagine that one of your role models growing up was Jason Varitek. Is that one player that you grew up trying to emulate?
Zach: Oh absolutely, Varitek was unbelievable. Just the blue collar type of player he was. He’s a grinder, he played every day. He didn’t care if he was hurt or got hurt, he was playing. He’s a mentally tough player and those are all of the attribute you want in a good catcher. Hopefully I can just have some of those attributes.
Alex: You’re one of the few players that has a college degree. Not every player has one at this point, sometimes they will go back after their playing career. But, you went to the University of Rhode Island and got a degree in Marine Affairs. That caught my eye because it’s not your typical degree. Explain a little bit about what that entailed.
Zach: Well, it’s like Ocean Management or Ocean Policy. Some people go into Marine Law. But it’s a pretty broad major and you can go into a lot of things from there. Some people go into Marine Biology, Aqua Culture, Coast Guard, or DEP, which is Department of Environmental Protection. I lived on the water my whole life in Waterford, had a boat and always went fishing and surfing. I love the ocean, so it caught my eye. It was cheaper tuition too, because none of the colleges in Connecticut offered that major, so it helped out as far as the money goes. It was a no-brainer to be honest with you.
Alex: Was there anything after your baseball career, whenever it’s going to be, that would keep you interested in and go in to something in that field?
Zach: Sure, I’d love to be a recreational fisherman the rest of my life and just go fishing with my dad all the time. But, I don’t know, I don’t think that I will ever go down that road. I may, but who knows when the time comes, that maybe that chapter will open.
Alex: So, you’re a bit of a fisherman, what is the most impressive catch that you’ve had in your fishing career as an amateur?
Zach: A couple of them actually. My dad and I went shark fishing on our boat a couple years ago and got a couple of big blue sharks. We actually had two of them on at once and next thing you know our 21 foot boat starts getting pulled by the sharks, so that was pretty crazy. Another one is we went 110 miles offshore and caught four yellow fin tuna and a couple albacore tuna.
Alex: Get you out on this, game three, tonight 76ers and Celtics, who you got?
Zach: Celtics all the way. I think they’re going to win the series and move on to the next round. But, you never know, the 76ers are good too.
Alex: That’s Boston homer and RoughRiders catcher Zach Zaneski. Congratulations on the game yesterday and thanks a lot for the time.
Zach: Thanks, a lot.





















