Before I get to the Tulsa Drillers 2024 Opening Day Roster, there have been a couple of transactions that have impacted Tulsa. RHRP Nabil Crismatt cleared waivers and has been reassigned to OKC. Recently acquired LHRP (from NYY) Nick Ramirez, has also been assigned to OKC. To make room, RHRP Braydon Fisher and RHRP Michael Flynn were reassigned to Tulsa.
Tulsa Opening Day Roster (28)
Starting Pitchers (6)
- Justin Wrobleski (23) – LHP – 2021 Draft (11th round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Ben Casparius (25) – RHP – 2021 Draft (5th round) – Last year Tulsa
- Kendall Williams (23) – RHP – 2019 Draft (2nd round – Toronto) – Acquired in Ross Stripling trade – Last year Great Lakes and Tulsa, 1 start at OKC
- Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (26) – RHP – IFA Puerto Rico – Last year at Tulsa
- Hyun-il Choi (24) – RHP – IFA Korea – Last year Great Lakes
- Logan Boyer (26) RHP – 2019 Draft (11th round) – Has not pitched since 2021 due to injuries
Relief Pitchers (10)
- Sauryn Lao (24) – RHP – IFA DR – Last year RC, Great Lakes, Tulsa
- Braydon Fisher (23) – RHP – 2018 Draft (4th round) – Last year Tulsa
- Michael Flynn (27) – RHP – 2018 Draft (6th round by Seattle) – FA – Last year A+ and AA for Seattle
- Ben Harris (24) – LHP – 2021 Draft (8th round) – Tulsa
- Juan Morillo (25) – RHP – IFA Venezuela – Last year RC and Great Lakes
- Michael Hobbs (24) – RHP – 2021 Draft (10th round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Antonio Knowles (24) – RHP – 2021 Draft (13th round) – Last year Great Lakes and Tulsa
- Ryan Sublette (25) – RHP – 2021 Draft (7th round) – Last year Tulsa
- Jack Dryer (25) – RHP – UDFA – Last year Great Lakes
- Jack Little (26) – RHP – 2019 Draft (5th round) – Last year Tulsa
Catchers (2)
- Diego Cartaya (22) – IFA Venezuela – Last year Tulsa
- Dalton Rushing (23) – 2022 Draft (2nd round) – Last year Great Lakes
Infield (6)
- Austin Gauthier (25) – SS (Utility) – UDFA – Last year Great Lakes and Tulsa
- Yeiner Fernandez (21) – 2B – IFA Venezuela – Last year Great Lakes
- Taylor Young (25) – 2B – 2022 Draft (8th round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Brandon Lewis (25) – 3B – 2019 Draft (4th round) – Last year Tulsa
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell (26) – 1B – UDFA – Last year Great Lakes
- Brendon Davis (26) – 3B – 2015 Draft (5th Round) – Signed MiLB FA contract – Last year AAA for Detroit
Outfield (4)
- José Ramos (23) – CF/RF – IFA Panama – Last year Tulsa
- Damon Keith (24) – RF – 2021 Draft (18th round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Austin Beck (25) – CF – 2017 Draft (1st round – Oakland) – Signed MiLB FA contract – Last year A+ and AA Oakland
- Lolo Sanchez (25) – LF – IFA DR (by Pittsburgh) – Signed MiLB FA contract – Last year AA Pittsburgh
Note – Both Yeiner Fernandez and Griffin Lockwood-Powell are also catchers, but will be transitioning away from catcher.
Top 30 Prospects (6):
- #1 – Dalton Rushing – C
- #9 – Diego Cartaya – C
- #16 – Justin Wrobleski – LHSP
- #26 – Austin Gauthier – SS/Utility
- #28 – Yeiner Fernandez – 2B/C
- #29 – José Ramos – CF/RF
There are a couple of names that have not been assigned to any affiliate. Instead they have been assigned to Dodgers Organization. This is like last year’s Development List. They are back at Arizona Complex for additional work. It is not a demotion. Just additional work.
- Maddux Bruns (22) – LHSP – 2021 Draft (1st round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Ronan Kopp (21) – LHRP – 2021 Draft (12th round) – Last year Great Lakes
- Payton Martin (20) – RHSP – 2022 Draft (17th round) – Last year RC
All three are LAD Top 30 prospects: Martin (#11), Bruns (#15), Kopp (#17)
That leaves 6 LAD Top 30 prospects assigned to the LAD ACL roster:
- Joendry Vargas – #13 – SS
- Hyun-Seok Jang – #18 – RHP
- Emil Morales – #19 – SS
- Eduardo Quintero – #20 – OF
- Alexander Albertus – #24 – Infield
- Jesus Tillero – #30 – RHP
Tulsa opens the 2024 season on Friday at NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) – Justin Wrobleski will start for Tulsa.
Great Lakes opens the 2024 season on Friday at home against Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego).
Rancho Cucamonga opens the 2024 season on Friday at Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego).
MiLB Game Summary
Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies) 5 – OKC Baseball Club 4
For the first four innings, Albuquerque would take a lead, and each time, OKC would tie it up. After 4 innings, the score was 4-4.
Landon Knack started for OKC, and this start did not go as well as his last one. He surrender 4 runs (all earned) on 5 hits, including a HR. He uncharacteristically walked a pair, but had 4 Ks. Knack threw 79 pitches (54 strikes).
Alec Gamboa gave up the eventual winning run in the 7th. He gave up a double and walk to start the inning. After he struck out Sam Hilliard, Michael Peterson was summoned to relieve Gamboa. He walked a batter to load the bases, and a ground ball force out allowed the run to score. Peterson got the final out of the 7th.
John Rooney entered in the 8th and pitched 2.0 perfect innings, with one K.
No real offense for OKC on the night.
- Trey Sweeney – 1-3 – Triple (1) and 2 BB, 1 RBI
- Chris Okey – 2-3 – double (1) and 1 BB, 2 RBI
- Team – 10 Ks
- Team – 1-9 RISP, LOB 10
- Trey Sweeney has not hit in 4 straight, 5-13 and 4 RBIs
- Miguel Vargas singled and has hit in 5 straight, 8-20 and 12 RBI
Box Score
Anyone interested in that one?
Heading back home on Thursday morning. The funeral is tomorrow. Been a busy week. Big stink about the fan and Ohtani’s first home run ball. Fan says security pressured her into making a quick decision. With the price of memorabilia these days, some suggested the ball would be worth about 100,000 dollars at auction.
I’m with Jeff on DePaula. We are not in good shape on outfield prospects so he’s on my NoTrade list.
For all of those who think defense is overrated or prefer to just ignore it, ask the Dodgers hitters what they think.
Michael Grove once again proving he is nothing more than a AAAA pitcher. Turns a one run game into a three-run deficit on nothing flat. Needs to be GONE.
This umpire the entire game called anything within 5″ of the zone a strike on Gavin Lux.
Lux had no shot today
Muncy, Outman, Lux, and Taylor went 1 for 17 with 9 SO’s. Pathetic.
At least Bellinger didn’t hurt us.
Jeff is right about the Cubs’ defense playing a big part in their victory. Right down to the last out.
I watched the first inning. Dodgers score two and Miller K’s three. I had to head out for lunch with friends, but figured this game was looking like another victory. Listening on the radio and by the time I arrived at the restaurant Miller had given up five and was out of the game. How does that happen? From complete dominance to a shit show in one inning.
I thought Grove had a chance to be the long man out of the BP. He’s been too inconsistent with now leaning toward being plain bad so far this year.
Teoscar is thriving hitting down in the order with all offensive weapons providing him lots of chances to pile up RBIs. Hey Max! Take notice!!!
Watched the highlights after the game. No complaints about the offensive even though the bottom of the order had a tough time which was compounded by the ump and the Chicago defense.
Well, this is one birthday Miller won’t forget.
Busch hitting and fielding. He is off to a good start this year. Bellinger is doing what teams feared he would do so far when he wasn’t signed early as a free agent.