Midland Rockhounds program June 8, 2009

Another scorecard program from Midland Rockhounds. They took on Tulsa Drillers that night. Drillers were Colorado Rockies affiliate at the time. The north and south teams play two series every season, one per half. The player on the cover is still Justin Dowdy.

Esmil Rogers who was at time one of Rockies top pitching prospect against Carlos Hernandez. There were too many players name Carlos Hernandez as well. Crunch time to first half of season crown with top teams in both leagues clinching the playoffs. Archie Gilbert continue his hot streak including going 4-4 the previous game.

Rockhounds still on top of South by 5 games while Drillers in second place behind two games to Springfield Cardinals. Look at the top 10 pitchers with lowest ERA during the time. Only four made to the majors. I thought Trevor Reckling and Kasey Kiker had better potential only to peak very quickly.

The outfielders up their batting average from the previous game I attended.

Eight players went on to majors afterwards. Five of them are pitchers with Jhoulys Chacin best of the bunch. The others are Esmil Rogers, Sam Deduno, Chaz Roe, and Xavier Cedeno. Chacin and Roe still playing to this day. Michael McKenry spent most time in the majors of the three position players. The others are Chris Nelson and Cole Garner. Garner only got four games and that was it for his time in the majors. Team included Ryan Harvey who was drafted 6th overall by Cubs in 2003 as well two Daniels as in Mayora and Carte. Both were high prospects for Rockies at the time and neither made it to the show. When Texas League started the season Stu Cole was manager. Rockies fired Clint Hurdle 46 games into the season. Cole got moved up to Triple-A Colorado Springs when Rockies promoted Tom Runnells to bench coach. Ron Gideon started the season as Rockies minor league coordinator became manager of Tulsa. He is currently 1st base coach for the Rockies. Dave Hajek was in Tulsa til after 2011. Former All-Star Bryan Harvey spent two years as pitching coach. A bit homecoming for him because he played for Midland in 1987 when it was Angels affiliate at the time.

Midland got through Esmil Rogers and won 8-2. Tulsa had bad misfortune of not able win both first (38-32; finish second) and second half (36-34; finish second) despite having most combined wins in the north division with 74-67 record.