Memphis’ Weiss Named Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year
Ben Weiss chosen by colleagues to receive award

MEMPHIS, TN –Memphis Redbirds General Manager, Ben Weiss, has been named Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year. The award is voted on by other Pacific Coast League General Managers.

“This comes as no surprise to those of us who watch Ben in operation”, said Ray Pohlman, President of the Memphis Redbirds Foundation.  “Ben brings great energy and commitment to our enterprise and we are proud to join his colleagues in recognizing his leadership and accomplishments.”

Weiss, 35, was named General Manager in August of 2009. This past season showed an increase in ticket sales for the second straight year. He has shown a strong focus on the fan experience. This season, the Redbirds introduced an increase in premium giveaways and events including an Elvis® bobblehead, St Louis Cardinals World Series replica ring and two World Series Trophy appearances. Weiss also played an integral part in the process to install the largest videoboard in Minor League Baseball during the winter of 2012.

Prior to his move to Memphis, Ben was an Event Manager and Assistant General Manager at the Global Spectrum managed Sun National Bank Center. In 2007, he was promoted to General Manager at the Mullins Center on the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst, MA. He was named to Billboard’s “Top 30 Under 30” list for the sports and entertainment industry in 2007.

“Ben has done a tremendous job of creating an outstanding fan experience, enhancing the team’s community presence, and leading our efforts in Memphis,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “We are particularly proud of Ben and his entire staff. This is a most-deserving honor.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award.  This recognition is a result of all the hard work and dedication put forth by our staff,” said Weiss. “I consider myself very lucky to work with the best front office in minor league baseball.”

KANSAS CITY, MO (September 4, 2012) – Baseball America announced today that Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Wil Myers has been named the publications’ 2012 Minor League Player of the Year. Myers becomes the third Royals prospect to win the prestigious award since its inception in 1981, joining Tom Gordon in 1988 and Alex Gordon in 2006.

Myers, 21, opened the 2012 campaign at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and batted .343 with 13 home runs and 30 RBI in 35 games before a promotion to Omaha in mid-May. For the Storm Chasers, who begin their quest to repeat as PCL champions tomorrow night in Omaha, Myers hit .304 (118-for-388) with 15 doubles, five triples, 24 home runs and 79 RBI in 99 regular season games. Overall, his 37 home runs were the second-most in minor league baseball, one shy of 26-year-old Darin Ruf who hit 38 for Reading (AA), while his 109 RBI ranked fourth overall.

The Royals’ third round selection in 2009 collected two hits and drove in three runs for the U.S. squad at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City on July 8 and then three days later was selected the “Star of Stars” for the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A All-Star Game after recording two hits, including a double, with an RBI and a run scored. Last week, he was named to the 12-member all Pacific Coast League squad and he is one of five finalists for USA Today Minor League Player of the Year.

July 13, 2012–The Baseball Bloggers Alliance, the top organization of baseball bloggers, today announced that after a polling of the membership, Bill Ivie would replace Daniel Shoptaw as the president of the group.

Ivie, who writes at I70 Baseball and Full Spectrum Baseball, is no stranger to large groups, having been an assignment editor at Baseball Digest in the past, as well as an active member of the United Cardinal Bloggers.  Ivie also is the organizer of Ivie League Productions, under which label the BBA has its weekly show, BBA Baseball Talk featuring David Mitchell.  Ivie’s voice can be heard weekly on Gateway To Baseball Heaven, as part of the Seamheads Podcasting Network.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to accept this position.  Daniel Shoptaw has done an amazing job cultivating this group and I look forward to working with everyone involved to help the organization grow and move forward consistently.”

Shoptaw was the founder of the BBA, starting the group in the fall of 2009 and watching it grow to hundreds of members.  Born out of a couple of personal projects, the Alliance quickly expanded to cover every MLB team and also included blogs with more of a general baseball approach or those that covered a specific aspect of the game, such as fantasy baseball or minor league baseball.

For his part, Shoptaw still plans to be involved with the organization but will focus more of his time on other projects, such as his blog C70 At The Bat and its related podcast Conversations With C70, his leadership of the United Cardinal Bloggers, and his weekly appearances on Gateway To Baseball Heaven.

Shoptaw stated, “It was time to move on.  I appreciate all the members of the BBA and what they have done to strengthen this organization.  It truly is a world-class collection of talent and I’m proud to know all of them.  I’ve known Bill for a long time and I know that he will provide extreme amounts of energy and leadership in this role.  I look forward to seeing what the next few years hold for the Alliance!”

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance can be found on Facebook, on Twitter, or can be reached via email at baseballbloggeralliance@gmail.com.

Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi AND Yordano Ventura NAMED TO

XM ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME ROSTER

KANSAS CITY, MO (June 21, 2012) — Kansas City Royals prospects Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi and Yordano Ventura today were named to the rosters for the 14th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.  The game, which will match Myers, Odorizzi and the U.S. squad against Ventura and the World roster, will begin at 4 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 8 from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.  The Royals are the only organization in baseball to place three players in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

The game will be televised live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV and is also available on the radio at MLB Network Radio (XM channel 89).  Tickets are still available for purchase for the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game by visiting www.allstargame.com, calling 1-888-326-3378 or visiting the Royals box office at Kauffman Stadium.

Myers, 21, will be making his second-straight appearance at the XM All-Star Futures Game, also appearing last July at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.  The 6-foot-3, 206-pound outfielder is currently tied with 31-year-old Brad Eldred for the minor league baseball lead with 24 home runs.  Myers opened the season with Northwest Arkansas (AA) before being promoted to Omaha (AAA) in mid-May.  He has combined to hit .336 (86-for-256) with 18 doubles, three triples, 24 home runs, 62 RBI and 60 runs scored in 68 games, posting a .416 on-base pct. and .711 slugging mark.  He is the Royals third-round selection from the 2009 June Free Agent Draft.

The 22-year-old Odorizzi, like Myers, opened 2012 with Northwest Arkansas before a promotion to Omaha.  The 6-foot-2 right-hander has compiled an 8-2 record with a 2.89 ERA in 13 games (12 starts), recording 81 strikeouts in 71.2 innings while holding opponents to a .219 average.  Odorizzi was acquired along with shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and pitcher Jeremy Jeffress from the Milwaukee Brewers on December 19, 2010 in exchange for pitcher Zack Greinke and infielder Yuniesky Betancourt.

Ventura, 21, worked a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout at the Carolina-California League All-Star Game on Tuesday.  The 5-foot-11 right-hander is 3-5 with a 3.10 ERA in 13 starts for High-A Wilmington, posting 78 strikeouts in 61.0 innings.  Born and raised in Samana, Dominican Republic, Ventura was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on October 8, 2008.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 MLB teams selected the 25-man rosters for each club.

You can read the full press release, complete with full rosters and a complete list of current Major League players that have participated in the Futures Game in the past, by downloading the PDF located here.

Triple-A

The Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League) went 4-2 over the last week improving to 44-27 on the season.  The Storm are leading the Northern Division by 14 games over the Iowa Cubs.

Who’s Hot

The Storm Chasers have continued to pile up runs on offense.  One of the best offenses in minor league baseball, got great weeks from Wil Myers and Irving Falu.  Myers, has lived on the hot list all season long.  In his past ten games he is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with three home runs, nine RBI, and 13 runs scored.  Falu has not been far behind hitting .351 (13-for-37) with three home runs and 12 RBI, to go along with 11 runs scored in his last ten games.  Blaine Hardy turned in his best Triple-A performance this past week. He went four innings allowing just one-hit while striking out four against Round Rock.

Who’s Not

Outfielder Jason Bourgeois is on the cold list despite heating up of late.  The outfielder is hitting .231 with two runs scored in his last five games.  Will Smith has hit a rough patch after being sent down from Kansas City to Omaha.  In his last two starts, the left-hander is 0-1, having worked ten and a third innings allowing 16 hits and nine runs.

Double-A

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Texas League) went 3-4 over the past week getting swept by Tulsa on the road, splitting a four-game set with the Cardinals on the road, and taking the first of an eight game home stand against the Drillers.  The Naturals sit in second place in the Texas League’s North Division four games behind Tulsa.

Who’s Hot

Paulo Orlando seems to be returning to the form that many fans remember.  After a spring injury and a cool start, Orlando’s bat has heated up in June.  The outfielder is hitting .378 (14-for-37) over his last nine games with six runs scored.  On the mound for the Naturals Buddy Baumann turned in a solid week in relief.  The left-hander appeared in three games for the Naturals working four innings allowing three hits, while striking out five.  He also picked up his first save of the season on June 17 in Springfield.

Who’s Not

Eric Duncan seems to always come through with a big clutch hit, but is hitting just .188 (6-for-32) with one home run and three RBI.  Elisaul Pimentel had been on a hot streak, but had a rough outing on his last trip to the hill.  Pimentel is 0-2, having worked nine innings allowing 18 hits and 11 earned runs.

Class-A Advanced

The Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina League) went 1-5 over the past week dropping to 29-41 on the season.  The Blue Rocks have fallen to third place in the North Division and trail the Lynchburg Hillcats by 10.0 games for the division lead.

Who’s Hot

The Blue Rocks offense has continued to be sparked by shortstop Alex McClure.  McClure hit .304 (7-for-23) over the team’s last ten games.  He entered the season well-known for his defensive abilities.  Edwin Carl has continued to shine on the mound for the Blue Rocks since being promoted from Kane County.  In two outings last week he worked four and a third innings allowing just three hits and striking out five.

Who’s Not

Brian Fletcher has fallen into a slump.  The outfielder is still tops on the team in hitting with a .289 batting average, but has hit just .159 over the team’s last ten games.  Cole White has been hit hard in his last two outings in relief.  White has allowed six hits and six runs, while issuing seven walks in his last five innings of work.
 

Class-A

The Kane County Cougars went 1-5 over the past week making them 34-36 on the season.  The Cougars fell to fifth place in the Midwest League’s western division and are 10.5 games out of first place.

Who’s Hot

Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio is hitting everything that pitchers are throwing to him right now.  The 19-year-old is hitting .333 over his last ten games with two home runs and an impressive 15 RBI.  On the mound for the Cougars, Jason Mitchell has turned things around.  In his last two trips to the hill Mitchell has worked 11 innings allowing eight hits and one run while striking out 10.

Who’s Not

Infielder Michael Antonio went through a tough week last week for the Cougars.  He hit just .143 (5-for-35) with one run scored and one RBI.  Aaron Brooks has not been missing many bats lately on the mound.  The right-hander has allowed 21 hits and 14 runs in his last 11.2 innings (2 appearances).

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale.  Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

Royals Renew Player Development Contract With Omaha Through 2016

KANSAS CITY, MO (June 19, 2012) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has extended its Player Development Contract (PDC) with Omaha through the 2016 season.

Triple-A Omaha, an affiliate from the inception of the two franchises in 1969, won the 2011 Pacific Coast League Championship after compiling a 79-63 regular season record.  Omaha is currently in first place in the PCL’s American North Division with a 44-27 mark on the season.  The Storm Chasers announced their new ownership group, Alliance Baseball Omaha LLC, on Tuesday.

“Omaha has an outstanding new facility and a great management team in place,” said Scott Sharp, Royals Director of Minor League Operations.  “The club announced new ownership partners today, making this a perfect time for the Royals to show our continued commitment to the Omaha area.”

“Having been affiliated with Kansas City since 1969, there was never a question of if we were going to extend the PDC, but when,” said Omaha President and General Manager Martie Cordaro.  “In my 14 years of Minor League Baseball, I have never personally experienced such a great relationship with a Major League affiliate. We are excited to extend our partnership with the Royals.”

Minor League baseball is truly a joy.  Seeing a combination of players that may or may not be the next best thing in your organization can carry a feeling of something special on any given night.

Last night in Omaha, the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, the stars aligned in a way that happens very seldom.  A combination of rehabbing major leaguers, top prospects, and an ace level starting pitcher just starting his 2012 conditioning converged on Werner Park to put on a show for a sell-out crowd.

Roy Oswalt would toe the mound for the visiting Round Rock Express, finding Royals prospect Jake Odorizzi opposing him in relief of another rehabbing major leaguer, Everett Teaford.  The Storm Chasers’ lineup would feature Chris Getz and Salvador Perez beginning their rehab assignments for the parent club as well as one of the top professional hitters at any level, Wil Myers.  The game would not disappoint in any way, especially for the home crowd.

After Teaford got his work in over two innings, Odorizzi would throw six and two-thirds innings of one run baseball to ensure a win for the home team.  Odorizzi would string together 10 strikeouts over only two walks on his way to a victory over the opposing ace.  Roy Oswalt?  He did not fare so well.

The third inning would be the downfall of Oswalt as he would give up a lead-off double to Anthony Seratelli he would get one out before surrendering three consecutive base hits loading the bases.  With bases juiced full of Storm Chasers, Wil Myers stepped to the plate.  In just 18 AAA games, he has already hit five home runs, adding to his 13 home runs in 35 AA games this season.  His 19th homer of the season would come on a 2-0 count as a grand slam off one of the most successful major league pitchers in recent memory.

The Storm Chasers would put a win on the board with a final score of 7-2 over the Round Rock Express.

Our favorite Royals photographer, Minda Haas, was on hand last night in Omaha to catch all the action and fun.  Below you will find a photo gallery of 50 pictures from Minda, with everyone from Teaford and Myers to Sal Perez and Roy Oswalt featured.  Enjoy the look at a truly special night through a very talented eye.

Feel free to use the buttons below to scroll through all the photos.

Anthony Seratelli Double Down The Line

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All rights reserved by Minda Haas

Bill Ivie is the editor here at I-70 Baseball
He is the host of I-70 Radio, hosted every week on BlogTalkRadio.
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ROYALS EXTEND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT WITH NORTHWEST ARKANSAS THROUGH 2016

KANSAS CITY, MO (April 11, 2012) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has extended its Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals through the 2016 season.

“We are very fortunate to have such a great facility for our Double-A team so close to our Major League home,” Royals Director of Minor League Operations Scott Sharp said.  “We attempt to put our players in big league atmospheres before they arrive in Kansas City and Northwest Arkansas allows us to do that every night.  Our partnership has been tremendous and the only reason the extension is not for longer is because of minor league baseball restrictions limiting deals of this kind to a maximum of four years.”

“We are extremely proud to continue our player development contract with the Kansas City Royals,” said Eric Edelstein, Naturals General Manager. “We have seen the Royals commitment to a world class player development system which extends beyond the field into the front office and the communities we both serve.”

Double-A Northwest Arkansas, an affiliate since 2008, has made the playoffs in each of its first four seasons, including capturing the Texas League championship in 2010.  A member of the Texas League North Division, the Naturals play their home games at Arvest Park (capacity 6,500) in Springdale, Ark.

Jirschele Returns to Omaha for 13^th Season
Gregg, Henry, Iannicca also back to defend Pacific Coast League crown

OMAHA, Neb. — Mike Jirschele, recently presented with Minor League Baseball’s 2011 Mike Coolbaugh award, will return for his 13^th season at the helm of the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Clintonville, Wisc., native will lead the Storm Chasers in their quest to defend their Pacific Coast League Championship, the team’s first league title since 1990.

Jirschele, 52, has a career managerial record of 1055-999 dating back to 1992, all with the Kansas City organization. That includes a mark of 842-883 in Omaha, with stints from 1995-97 and 2003 through this past season. He is a four-time winner of the Royals’ Dick Howser Award, given for his excellence in 1992, 1994, 2005 and 2011.

Joining the veteran skipper will be hitting coach Tommy Gregg (fourth season in Omaha) and pitching coach Doug Henry (third season in Omaha).

Gregg, a veteran of nine major league seasons, helped blossoming young stars Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Johnny Giavotella, Manny Pina and Salvador Perez make their big league debuts during the 2011 campaign. His leadership was evident when Jirschele was on personal leave during the middle of the year, as Gregg served as the de facto manager and helped maintain the team’s lead in the American Conference Northern Division standings.

Henry, who pitched 11 seasons in the majors – including one with the Royals – led a pitching staff that survived several big-league call-ups and featured PCL Pitcher of the Year Luis Mendoza, who recorded a sensational 2.18 ERA in 144.1 innings. Henry put together a rotation that led the league in earned run average in the months of April, July and August, with August’s 3.21 ERA pacing the circuit by nearly a full run over Nashville’s 4.10 mark.

Assisting the on-field staff will be returning athletic trainer Dave Iannicca and newcomer Joey Greany, who will serve as the Chasers’ strength and conditioning coach.

Gebhard, Jirschele Win Bender, Coolbaugh Awards

Courtesy of Erika Lynn

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Minor League Baseball™ announced today the selections of Arizona Diamondbacks Vice President & Special Assistant to the General Manager Bob Gebhard and Omaha Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele as the recipients of the fourth annual Sheldon “Chief” Bender and Mike Coolbaugh Awards, respectively. Gebhard and Jirschele will be honored on December 8 at the annual Banquet during the Baseball Winter Meetings™ at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award
Bob Gebhard, Arizona Diamondbacks VP & Special Assistant to the GM

The Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award is presented to someone with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development. Bender spent 64 years in baseball as a player, manager and executive. He oversaw the Cincinnati Reds farm system for 22 years and spent a total 39 years with the club.

Gebhard began teaching players while he was still on the diamond as a pitcher in 1974 in the Montreal organization. He served as a player/coach for their Triple-A™ affiliate in Memphis for two seasons. Gebhard then held the positions of Minor League Field Director and the Director of Minor League Operations with the Expos over the next dozen years.

In 1987, he joined the Minnesota Twins organization as Director of Major League Personnel. Gebhard worked with Jim Rantz, who was his manager in Gebhard’s first year in the Minors in 1965 with the St. Cloud Rox. Rantz was presented with the inaugural Coolbaugh Award in 2008.

Minnesota promoted Gebhard to Vice President of Player Personnel in 1988. He remained with the Twins through the 1991 season when the club won its second World Series title in five years.

Gebhard then went to work for the expansion Colorado Rockies. As the first general manager of the club, he built their entire baseball operations department from the ground up. In 1995, the Rockies won the National League’s first wild card berth.

From 2000-04, Bob worked in the St. Louis organization, helping with the Cardinals’ day-to-day operations, including contract negotiations and player evaluation.

For the last seven seasons, Gebhard has been in his current role of Vice President & Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has relied upon his decades of experience to provide his input on various aspects of the club’s operation.

“Bob Gebhard has been developing, scouting, evaluating and signing players for more than 35 years during his distinguished front office career,” Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner said. “His tremendous dedication, knowledge and experience have contributed to the success of several organizations, resulting in 10 playoff appearances and two World Series championships.”

“I am very honored to be selected for the Chief Bender Award because I had known Chief for years and he represented so many wonderful things in our game,” Gebhard stated.

Other recipients of the Bender Award include Keith Lieppman (2009) and Mark Newman (2010).

Mike Coolbaugh Award
Mike Jirschele, Omaha Storm Chasers Manager

The Mike Coolbaugh Award is presented to an individual who has shown an outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players on the field. Coolbaugh played in nearly 1,700 games in his Minor League Baseball career from 1990-2006. He also appeared in 44 Major League games. Coolbaugh was only 35 years old when he died after being hit in the neck by a line drive while coaching first base for Tulsa in a game at Arkansas on July 22, 2007.

Jirschele led the Omaha Storm Chasers to the Pacific Coast League championship in his ninth consecutive year of managing the Kansas City Royals’ top affiliate this season. Along the way, he also won his 1,000th game as a Minor League manager.

After playing 13 seasons in the Minors, Jirschele began his managerial career in 1992 in the Gulf Coast League. He was named manager of the year in the GCL for leading Kansas City’s rookie club to a 41-18 record and the league championship.

The following year, he piloted the Rockford Royals to a division championship in the Midwest League. In 1994, he again captured manager of the year honors when he led the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a 94-44 mark and the Carolina League title. Jirschele was also named The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year in 1994.

He first managed Omaha in 1995, when the club was a member of the American Association. Omaha made the playoffs in two of the three seasons Jirschele managed the team.

In 1998, he was named infield instructor for Kansas City’s Minor League system. From 1999-2002, Jirschele served as the Royals’ coordinator of instruction. He began his second managerial stint with Omaha in 2003 and was Coolbaugh’s manager in 2006.

“Mike Jirschele is a man of integrity who stresses the importance of respecting and playing the game of baseball the right way,” O’Conner stated. “Winning his 1,000th game as a manager and the Pacific Coast League championship this year are just the latest examples of his dedication to develop successful players for the Kansas City Royals, something Mike has done for two decades.”

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” Jirschele said. “I just go out, do my job, do what I’m supposed to do and try to make players better for the organization. My role is to get them to the big leagues and build a rapport with the players so they feel like they can come in and talk to me at any time. To get an award for doing what you feel is your job is very gratifying.”

Bobby Jones (2008), Charlie Montoyo (2009) and Woody Huyke (2010) have also received the Coolbaugh Award.

Other 2011 Minor League Baseball Major Award Winners:
John H. Johnson President’s Award (outstanding club operation)-Tennessee Smokies
Larry MacPhail Award (outstanding club promotion)-Lake Elsinore Storm
Warren Giles Award (outstanding league president)-Chuck Murphy, Florida State League
Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year (outstanding female executive)-Marla Terranova Vickers, Montgomery Biscuits