Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams
Travs go for gold in division lead battle; Julio Rodriguez, Alon Leichman are going for an Olympic gold medal as Grant Black stays golden for Memphis and Cody Scoggins gets golden call up to High-A
Welcome to Baseball on Broadway, a weekly look at the Arkansas Travelers that's normally published on Monday but because of the holiday, it is coming out Tuesday morning. This newsletter is extra coverage for readers of ArkansasNewsroom.com and, remember …
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It is a battle for first place as division leading Wichita is at Dickey-Stephens Park this week for a six-game homestand against the Travs.
Wichita is ahead by two game as the Travs went 3-3 last week at Northwest Arkansas all but Springfield is still in contention for the division crown as Wichita has 37 wins to 35 for the Travs while the Naturals and Tulsa are both at 34 each.
The Travs will be without Julio Rodriguez as the star rightfielder went back to the inactive list on Sunday.
Temporarily of course as Rodriguez, Baseball America's No. 3 prospect in all minor-league baseball, is headed to the Olympics in Tokyo this week.
Opening ceremonies are this Thursday as Rodriguez and the Dominican Republic National Team will face host Japan in the opening game of the group stage at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 27.
Or at least that's what's expected but the ongoing pandemic is still a global problem and numerous coronavirus cases have already been identified in the Olympic Village.
So, good luck and mask up.
Anyway, Rodriguez has been sensational in his time with the Travs. He's appeared in 14 games and is batting .280 with three homeruns and an on-base percentage of .410.
He’s also pretty good on defense as the Naturals learned last week.
Rodriguez is not the only Travs connection at the Olympics as Alon Leichman, the team's pitching coach, is on the Israeli National Team.
Leichman is one of 12 pitchers on the Israeli roster, that can be viewed by clicking here.
His college alma mater, California-San Diego, did a long piece on him and fellow alum Shlomo Lipetz as both will be on Tokyo.
Schedule for group stage games
Tuesday, July 28: Dominican Republic vs. Japan, 10 p.m.
Thursday, July 29: Israel vs. South Korea, 5 a.m.; Mexico vs. Dominican Republic, 10 p.m.
Friday, July 30: United States. vs. Israel, 5 a.m.; Japan vs. Mexico, 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 31: United States vs. South Korea, 5 a.m.
Individual leaders
Brian O'Keefe climbs to No. 10 in hitting but is now with Triple-A Tacoma and Jake Scheiner is in at No. 25.
Penn Murfee is in at No. 12 in pitching and also up to Tacoma, while Alejandro Requena is No. 19 and Devin Sweet is at No. 20.
Transactions
July 18: Arkansas Travelers placed RF Julio Rodriguez on the temporarily inactive list.
July 16: 3B Austin Shenton assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.
July 16:RHP Reid Morgan assigned to Everett AquaSox from Arkansas Travelers.
July 16:Arkansas Travelers released SS David Masters
July 14: RHP Penn Murfee assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Arkansas Travelers.
July 14: RHP Matt Brash assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.
July 13: CF Connor Lien roster status changed by Arkansas Travelers.
July 13: Arkansas Travelers transferred RHP Kyle Wilcox from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
July 13: Arkansas Travelers activated RF Julio Rodriguez from the temporarily inactive list.
Players of the Week
MJ Melendez - Northwest Arkansas and Jordan Balazovic - Wichita
The scores
Tuesday: Northwest Arkansas 9, Travs 4
Wednesday: Travs 9, Northwest Arkansas 5
Thursday: Travs 4, Northwest Arkansas 3
Friday: Northwest Arkansas 8, Travs 7
Saturday: Rained out
Sunday (DH): Northwest Arkansas 4, Travs 2; Travs 10, Northwest Arkansas 6
The standings
Wichita ... 37-29 ... .561
Travs ... 35-30 ... .538
NW Arkansas ... 34-30 ... .531
Tulsa ... 34-31 ... .523
Springfield ... 26-40 ... .394
Grant Black’s Corner
About Grant Black’s Corner: This is a weekly look at current Minor-League players with Arkansas roots. Have an addition to this list? Email us at arkansas@substack.com or leave a comment on the post.Newport's Grant Black is still in Memphis and has thrown a total of 42 strikeouts in 34.1 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.
Black's last appearance was Sunday, when he threw one strikeout on one inning pitched in relief against Norfolk.
Memphis is 3-6 overall in games he has played in.
Former Arkansas pitcher Cody Scroggins got the call to High-A ball as he was promoted to the Greenville Drive. Scroggins, who played in high school at Bentonville where he was a football star, is 3-2 on the season with six saves. He has an ERA of 1.20.
Many thanks to Arkansas high school baseball expert Kevin Bohannon for his help in compiling this list. You can catch him on the radio at 103.7 The Buzz as he's the station’s high school insider. He is also the co-host of The Hawg Talk podcast, which can be listened to here. He’s also on Twitter, @CoachKBo_HTP, so give him a follow.
Others on the Corner
Note: Click the player’s name to get current stats.
Luke Bandy, Springdale: Greenville Drive, High-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @Luke_Bandy
Gray Fenter, West Memphis: Bowie Baysox, Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and @Bear_Fenter
Logan Gragg, Prairie Grove: Peoria Chiefs, High-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @GraggLogan23
William Hancock, Little Rock Catholic: Quad Cities River Bandits, the High-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals
Tink Hence, Watson Chapel: GCL Cardinals, the Rookie Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @HenceTink3
Blaine Knight, Bryant: Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.
Grant Koch, Fayetteville: Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Evan Lee, Bryant: Wilmington Blue Rocks, the High-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals and @Evan_Leeeee
Casey Martin, Lonoke: Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and @cmartin15_
Jake Reindl, Fayetteville: Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Low-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and @jreindl24
Cody Scroggins, Bentonville: Greenville Drive, the High-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @cody_scroggins
Gavin Stone, Riverside High School (Lake City): Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Low-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and @gavinstone02
Nick Starr, Conway: Hickory Crawdads, the High-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and @nickstarr6
Schedule, tickets and promotions
On deck this week
Tuesday: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Firework Show; Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists
Saturday: Wichita
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Evan White T-Shirt Giveaway; Presented By New Age Distributors
Sunday: Wichita
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Next week
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 27: at Springfield; Wednesday, July 28: at Springfield; Thursday, July 29: at Springfield; Friday, July 30: at Springfield; Saturday, July 31: at Springfield and Sunday, Aug. 1: at Springfield
Rest of the schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 3: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 4: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 5: Northwest Arkansas (DH)
Start time: TBA
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 6: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Oaklawn Racing & Casino Resort
Saturday, Aug. 7: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Wrestling Ring Giveaway; Presented By Midtown Billiards & Svedka Vodka
Game Highlight: Clunker Car Night; Presented By Midtown Billiards
Sunday, Aug. 8: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Tuesday, Aug. 10: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* *Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages. Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 11: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 12: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 13: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Arvest Bank
Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Telemundo
Saturday, Aug. 14: Springfield
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Jake Fraley Bobblehead Giveaway; Presented By BEEF Council
Sunday, Aug. 15: Springfield
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Aug. 17: at Frisco; Wednesday, Aug. 18: at Frisco; Thursday, Aug. 19: at Frisco; Friday, Aug. 20: at Frisco; Saturday, Aug. 21: at Frisco and Sunday, Aug. 22: at Frisco
Tuesday, Aug. 24: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 25: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 26: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 27: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Pyro In The Park; Presented By Cutwater Spirits/Budweiser
Saturday, Aug. 28: Corpus Christi
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Tooth Ball Giveaway; Presented By Rock Dental Brands
Game Highlight: Teacher Appreciation Night
Sunday, Aug. 29: Corpus Christi
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Tuesday, Aug. 31: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Sept. 1: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Sept. 2: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Sept. 3: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By MiCampo
Saturday, Sept. 4: Wichita
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision
Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware
Promotion: Growth Chart Giveaway; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware
Sunday, Sept. 5: Wichita
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Sept. 7: at Springfield; Wednesday, Sept. 8: at Springfield; Thursday, Sept. 9: at Springfield; Friday, Sept. 10: at Springfield; Saturday, Sept. 11: at Springfield; Sunday, Sept. 12: at Springfield; Tuesday, Sept. 14: at Wichita; Wednesday, Sept. 15: at Wichita; Thursday, Sept. 16: at Wichita; Friday, Sept. 17: at Wichita; Saturday, Sept. 18: at Wichita and Sunday, Sept. 19: at Wichita
*Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages.