Welcome to town, Julio Rodriguez
Penn Murfee is Pitcher of the Month, Lonoke's Casey Martin moves up to High-A, Grant Black's Corner plus scores, stats and more
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The Travs went 3-3 on a road trip to Tulsa last week but slipped to fourth in the league standings as a result, but the big news for the team came in two parts. The first part is Julio Rodriguez got the call to Double-A and will play his first game at Dickey-Stephens Park tonight, Tuesday, against Frisco.
All of 20, Rodriguez is one of the top prospects in all of minor-league baseball and is already bound for bigger things.
For one, he’s on the American League Roster for this year’s SiriusXM Futures Game, but the second part is even bigger as Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, will be leaving North Little Rock later this month to join his home country’s Olympic Team in Tokyo for the 2020 Games, that are being played this summer due to the ongoing pandemic.
Rodriguez told Ryan Davish with the Seattle Times, “…when I put on that Dominican Republic jersey and to have the Dominican on my chest, it just feels so different. I honestly felt a whole different level of emotions when I wear that uniform.”
The Opening Ceremonies for Tokyo games will be July 23, and Rodriguez has obligations in the Dominican Republic before that, so this might be his only week in North Little Rock. And even then, it will be a short week as the Futures Game is set for Sunday, July 11.
Rodriguez has already been sensational for the Travs and some baseball experts think he has the potential to be the top prospect in all of minor-league baseball before eventually making his way to Seattle.
He’s not the only player with connections to the Travs to play in the Olympics this summer as Eric Filia, a Mariners prospect with Triple-A Tacoma, was named to the United States Olympic baseball team.
Filia spent 2018 with the Travs where he played in 79 games and batted .274 before going up to Tacoma for 2019 and now 2021.
He played his college ball at UCLA and was a 20th round pick in 2016.
Murfee is June Pitcher of the Month
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Penn Murfee was named Pitcher of the Month for June in the Double-A Central as announced by Minor League Baseball.
Murfee went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four starts last month including a nine inning complete game shutout on June 18 vs. Tulsa. It was the first complete game of his career and he struck out a career best 11.
A native of Nashville, Murfee was drafted by the Mariners in the 33rd Round of the 2018 draft out of Santa Clara where he pitched his final collegiate season after transferring from Vanderbilt. Murfee’s June monthly league award follows Travs lefty Ian McKinney winning league Pitcher of the Month honors for May. Murfee was also named Double-A Central Pitcher of the Week for June 14-20.
The Travs are back in North Little Rock today, July 6, to face Frisco in a six-game homestand.
Individual leaders
Brian O'Keefe climbs to No. 7 in hitting and the only Trav in the top 25.
Penn Murfee drops to No. 13 in pitching, Alejandro Requena is in at No. 18 and Devin Sweet is at No. 20.
Transactions
June 29: RHP Bernie Martinez assigned to Everett AquaSox from Arkansas Travelers.
June 29: RF Julio Rodriguez assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.
Players of the Week
MJ Melendez - Northwest Arkansas and Adrian Martinez - San Antonio
The scores
Tuesday: Tulsa 10, Travs 4
Wednesday: Travs 7, Tulsa 0
Thursday: Rained out
Friday (DH): Travs 3, Tulsa 1; Tulsa 8, Travs 4
Saturday: Travs 7, Tulsa 4
Sunday: Tulsa 3, Travs 0
The standings
Wichita ... 31-23 ... .574
Tulsa ... 30-23 ... .566
NW Arkansas ... 27-25 ... .519
Travs ... 27-26 ... .509
Springfield ... 18-36 ... .333
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 38 strikeouts in 31.0 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.
Twitter is far from real life, but in a poll there by this site, posed the question: Which happens first? Grant Black in St. Louis or the Broken Bridge gets fixed. The former was the overwhelming pick as the very savvy readers here think Black will get the call to the Bigs. It helps that many of those very savvy readers are family and friends of Black. Maybe.
Lonoke’s Casey Martin, and a former star at the University of Arkansas, got the call to High-A and is now with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in Lakewood, New Jersey. Not far from Philly or New York City, the city is in southern New Jersey and minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Martin was a third-round pick in 2020 and is progressing nicely.
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: Salem Red Sox, the Low-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: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision
Wednesday: Frisco
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: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Promotion: Baseball Giveaway; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Saturday: Frisco
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Team Card Set Giveaway; Presented By Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
Sunday: Frisco
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 13: at Northwest Arkansas; Wednesday, July 14: at Northwest Arkansas; Thursday, July 15: at Northwest Arkansas; Friday, July 16: at Northwest Arkansas; Saturday, July 17: at Northwest Arkansas and Sunday, July 18: at Northwest Arkansas
Rest of the schedule
Tuesday, July 20: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, July 21: 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, July 22: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, July 23: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Firework Show; Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists
Saturday, July 24: Wichita
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Evan White T-Shirt Giveaway; Presented By New Age Distributors
Sunday, July 25: 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, 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
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.