Biscuits Play Ball!

Well, a new season is upon us and the Biscuits are ready so...

GAME ONE
OPENING DAY

Brent Honeywell

Of course the Biscuits lost the home opener on Thursday, in spite of a prime-time effort from opening day starter Brent Honeywell.

#HoneyDay will be a thing for a while for Montgomery, every fifth day. It started strong by offering a full dozen punchouts in the first installment. While the prospect hurler fell victim to low run support, he earned solid a game score of 74. If you havent looked up the "game score" stat for starting pitchers, you should!


The bats were not silent. Cade Gotta and Nick Ciuffo had two hits each, Gotta and Granden Goetzman each drove in a run to account for the Biscuits two runs.

Nick Ciuffo

Three relievers took the hill, including Jose Alvarado who tossed a clean inning in his Biscuits debut.

The extracurriculars were plentiful, with the Air Show in town the dignitaries turned out in force. The flyovers were impressive, a P-51 Mustang accompanied by a pair of F-16's were a treat for everyone.

Early in the game a second flyover, lower and a little unexpected, took the crowd by surprise but that really added to the coolness. Kudos to those who made it happen, those are the special touches that fans really notice and enjoy.


Also the pre and post game tunes were excellent, live music provided by the Lo-Fi Loungers. Their retro sound brings a cool atmosphere to the park.

GAME TWO

Goetzman

Friday Night the Skitz fell to Biloxi 5-3 on a chilly spring night.

After being shut out through seven frames, Bradys Boys tried to mount a comeback but fell short. Goetzman had three hits, including a triple, plus a pair of RBI's.

Braxton Lee turned in a highlight reel throw to nail a foolhardy baserunner at the plate, a true defensive gem from the gifted centerfielder.

Hunter Wood

Hunter Wood got the start, tossing over 90 pitches and striking out five while allowing just three earned runs before being chased in the fifth inning.

Diego Castillo

Edwin Fierro, Kyle Bird and Diego Castillo pitched in relief. Fierro and Castillo were making their debuts with Montgomery and kept the Shuckers at bay. Bird had a little trouble in his two innings, surrendering a home run.

GAME THREE
Autograph Day

Yonny Chirinos

In a tight contest Montgomery fell 2-1 to Biloxi, dropping their first series.

Starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos made a herculean effort, seven innings of one run ball with five K's of his own.

Reliever Fernando Baez struck out five in two innings but was saddled with the loss, in part due to his errant pickoff throw in the 9th.

On the batting side, Riley Unroe had a pair of hits. Nick Ciuffo singled and later scored on a Mike Russell sac fly to account for the Biscuits only run of the ball game.

Before the game the team was seated at tables for autographs. Fans were bummed there was no team photo giveaway, but I had a chance to get the guys to lean in and took one that we can use for now!

Your 2017 Montgomery Biscuits

GAME FOUR
SUNDAY 

Greg Harris dealing with Monty behind him

Sunday the Biscuits would not be denied their first victory of the season, topping the Shuckers 6-1 in an afternoon tilt.

Starting pitcher Greg Harris tossed six good innings, striking out five and allowing just one run to earn his first double-A victory.

Reliever Diego Castillo handled the seventh and eighth frames to set up, Kyle Winkler worked around a walk in the 9th inning and the Biscuits first win was in the books.


Batting in the leadoff spot, Braxton Lee had two hits including his first home run. Not just his first of the year, it was his first longball of his pro career, and it was a No-Doubter.

Also homering was Granden Goetzman and Justin O'Conner. Lost in the homerun parade was Justin Williams, who had two hits and two RBI's.

Granden Goetzman sees a pitch he likes and drives it for a homer

GAME FIVE
MONDAY 'NALLY
Monday night the Biscuits took full advantage of nine Biloxi errors and trounced the Shuckers 13-6 in a game that wasn't as close as the score would imply. Sending nine men to the plate in the first inning and AGAIN in the second, the Biscuits extracted some form of revenge for losing the first three games.

Braxton Lee had a four hit game, Williams and Russell had two knocks each. Cade Gotta went 0-for-4 but still managed a pair of RBI's. Justin O'Conner's grand slam was his second homer in two days.

Three Biscuits wait to greet Justin O'Conner after his grand slam

The Biscuits stranded 17 men in the game, but still scored a bakers dozen.

Mike Franco

Pitching a dandy of a ballgame was Mike Franco, in just his fifth career start. With six K's, two runs (one earned) through four and two thirds, Franco almost earned his first win of the season but ran out of pitches before he could get one final out.

After 90 pitches Franco was lifted from his valiant effort and with no game the next day, skipper Brady Williams emptied the bullpen.

Edwin Fierro

First in was Jordan Harrison, followed by Edwin Fierro, Jose Alvarado, Brad Schrieber and Kyle Bird to close it out.


Fierro was awarded the win but the victory was a total team effort - that team effort being the Biloxi Shuckers! They matched the league record with NINE errors in the field.


 ADIOS SHUCKERS
This is the only time the Biscuits host the Shuckers this year, unless the teams meet in the playoffs. I won't miss them.

I don't usually dig on teams attitudes, but I have to mention that they were less than friendly. By that I mean they kicked Big Mo, swore at the Biscuit Bunch and refused to toss foul balls to fans in the stands. Rumor is that they deliberately lined up in the wrong order for introductions just to make our Opening Day look bush league.

And that's coming from a group of guys wearing an angry clam on their chest.

WHAT WE LEARNED

Kyle Winkler

WINK DAY
When is Wink-Day? "Every day we have a close ninth inning lead!" Kyle Winkler can be seen in the closers chair, waiting and watching for his chance to shut the door and declare it ;)Day

JAMMIN GM
GM Scott Trible is a music lover, he was proud of bringing the Lo-Fi Loungers for opening day and hopes to get them back again later in the summer. Good choice!

SQUID
Andrew Velazquez is Squid. Obviously.

 When I asked why he was called Squid, he said "I don't know, ask them!"
When I asked other players, I was told "it just kind of evolved" that way. Good enuff for me!


JUST THE FACTS
I asked a cop outside the ballpark when the city might be finished working on the sidewalk across from the ballpark. "I only protect the streets, not repair em" was the reply that I couldn't help laughing about for a couple days. Word is that the city is hoping to have it completed before the next homestand, but that could be cutting it close.

CAP'N JOE
Outfielder and first baseman Joe McCarthy may be the Biscuits team captain and he definitely wants you to follow him on twitter.

NEW OWNER FOLKS

Joe McCarthy shadow-swings a homer

My understanding is that the baseball offices have been backed up abit and are in the process of approving the sale of the team to the prospective new owners. There should be plenty of coverage on it in the media when it is approved, which is expected sometime next month.

In a related story, an article in a Richmond paper last week suggested that the new ownership head, Lou DiBella, will enjoy getting to be more hands-on with a baseball team than he has been with the Flying Squirrels. It says that when the Richmond team is on the road this summer, some of their front office staff will come to Montgomery to help, but the article also implies that the Biscuits will keep or acquire new folks to work here.

All in all, I liked what I was hearing from the new owners and am optimistic that they will work to make our ballpark even better for fans.

NO MORE BRING ON THE BISCUITS
Mondays game marked the first time the song "Bring on the Biscuits" was not played as the team took the field. The song was played with the announcement of the home team lineups and there it will likely reside for the rest of the season.

Goetzman and Honeywell greeting fans

This was at the specific request of the Biscuits starting pitchers, who hear the hokey lyrics "these Biscuits are gonna eat your lunch" from start to finish - often giving them about six bars of the music they have chosen to warm up to.

In another related story, due to a delay between the anthem and the first pitch of the opening game of the season, fans were treated to Brent Honeywells chosen warmup song in its entirety. All five and a half minutes of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" were pumped out while the crowd wondered what exactly was supposed to be happening.

I later told Brent that he has the best warmup tune in the league - Iron Man was the first song I learned on guitar!

Wood wearing #3

UNI-QUE
Montgomery has two pitchers wearing single-digit uniform numbers in Diego Castillo #9 and Hunter Wood #3.


NEW NETTING
During this homestand exactly one foul ball and one bat hit the new screen over the dugouts. The new railing nets in the outfield were no problem for Justin O'Conner, whose grand slam in Mondays game hit halfway up the advertising on the left side of the jumbotron.

#BULLPENLIFE 

Meet the 2017 Biscuits

A new season dawns with a fresh batch of Biscuits. There are quite a few holdovers from last year, about half the team is new to Montgomery.

Gone are several seasoned bench veterans and some prospects graduated, but taking their place is a talented mix of young players.
 

THE STARTING ROTATION

Brent Honeywell

Brent Honeywell, the Biscuits open the season with their top prospect on the bump - Honeywell, who just turned 22, returns to show he can dominate like he did in his nearly half season with the Skitz last year.

Tossing a screwball is impressive, but it is probably just his third best pitch, after his dominant heater and heavy sinker. Biscuit fans will be looking forward to every fifth day as #HoneyDay



Hunter Wood is the second starter but that doesn't necessarily mean he is second best. Wood was having very few problems with Southern League hitters last year when a comebacker derailed his season and a potential no-hitter, sending to the DL.

Wood gives the Biscuits a one-two punch at the top of the rotation that is as good as any in the league.

Hunter Wood

Yonny Chirinos

Yonny Chirinos returns to fill the third spot in the rotation, a solid innings-eater with a knack for getting the timely ground ball.

Chirinos had a nice season last year between the Biscuits, High-A Port Charlotte and Single-A Bowling Green to earn a combined 3.36 Era.

Greg Harris comes to Montgomery after posting a sparkling 3.12 ERA last year in Port Charlotte. Stingy on hits, the young righty is the son of former Major League pitcher Greg Harris, known for his ability to pitch with either arm - "an amphibious pitcher" as Yogi would say.

This Harris has excellent strikeouts numbers and doesn't like to give up hits. He tossed a pair of shutouts last year for the StoneCrabs.

Mike Franco

Mike Franco is the announced fifth starter, though the Texas native only started in three of his thirty-three appearances last year. Still, his numbers for the StoneCrabs are sterling, lots of strikeouts and held opponents to a paltry .189 batting average in his 71 innings pitched.

With the Biscuits, he has a chance to earn his keep in the rotation, at least until injured lefty Chris Kirsch returns from the DL and maybe even beyond that.


THE BULLPEN
Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein seemed really high on his bullpen this year, though he admitted there would probably be a period of adjustment for some of them. "Each one of these guys comes out throwing gas, 94-96mph and up. Except Harrison, who slings it sidearm from his shoetops, which is just as tough to hit!"

Brad Schreiber, the big righthander returns to the Skitz having earned his spot in the pen. He had rough outings last summer and had to prove himself in spring, but his velocity is up and the cheerful reliever seems set to return to form.

Watching Brad throw a bullpen in early spring was more than encouraging for pitching coach Lichtenstein who knew right away he was back on track, saying "When he's right, he unhittable. And he looks right."

Brad Schreiber

Kyle Winkler

Kyle Winkler seems to be a lefthander trapped in a right handed body - the Texan has a funky delivery but it has brought reliable relief into the game whenever he is called.

Entering his third year wearing the Biscuits uni, Winkler is ready to offer some shutdown innings and show he is up for the next challenge, success out of the Biscuits pen could lead to Winkler moving to Durham sooner rather than later.


Edwin Fierro was pitching at age 18 for Campeche and learned quickly about big games and competitive teams. Now Fierro comes to Montgomery with a talent for getting out of tight spots. His single-A stats don't pop off the page, just 17 strikeouts against 40 hits in 33 innings last year, but Edwin seems to be some sort of escape artist since his ERA was a tidy 3.78.

Edwin Fierro, left, and Ciuffo

Diego Castillo

Diego Castillo, hard throwing right hander cuts an imposing figure on the mound. Six foot four and 240, Castillo has worked his way up from the Dominican Summer League to double-A and has an excellent 3.20 career Era to show for it.

Advancing four levels in two seasons, plus a trip to the Arizona Fall League, the Rays have yet to find a challenge that Diego can't overcome.

Fernando Baez

Fernando Baez, signed as a catcher by the Cardinals, then converted to a pitcher, the righty suffered an injury that resulted in Tommy Juan surgery. Released by the Cards, the Rays picked him up and Baez rehabbed with Tampa and now has earned a shot at double-A.

His stats ARE eye-popping - 70 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched, only twenty hits allowed in his 24 appearances.

Jordan Harrison, lhp

Jordan Harrison returns to Montgomery, bringing his southpaw sidearm delivery for his third season as a Biscuit.

Stingy on allowing hits but occasionally prone to the base on balls, 'Arry kept hitters off balance and the bullpen guys loose with his sense of humor.

His numbers are fine, but he is due to give up a home run after not allowing a single long ball all last year.

Lhp Kyle Bird

Kyle Bird, a 35th round draft choice, joined the Skitz last year and proved he belonged with a solid 2.94 Era. Bird provided regular lefthanded relief, often pitching multiple innings and in save situations.

Jose Alvarado

Jose Alvarado, pitching at two levels last summer, the Venezuelan lefty was a strikeout machine. 85 punchouts in just 37 games earns Jose a seat in Brady Williams bullpen.

One of just two Biscuit pitchers on the Rays 40 man roster, Alvarado could be on the fast track if he keeps striking out hitters at the same pace.



CATCHERS
Nick Ciuffo, a top catching prospect, brings an excellent reputation for throwing out baserunners at an amazing 60% clip last season.

Also able to catch popcorn like a boss, Nick Ciuffo

Justin O'Conner returns to prove he is healthy and could easily be ready to retake his prospect label. One of the best arms in baseball from behind the plate, O'Conner is a threat to any baserunner and gives the Biscuits the most dangerous plate tenders in the league.

Justin O'Conner

INFIELD
The all new infield is raw and will experience a few "growing pains" but has as much talent as any squad in the league.

Joe McCarthy - No, not the senator at the center of the 1950s communist hearings. Also no to the HOF former manager of the Cubs, Yanks and BoSox. This Joe Mac is a lefty first baseman in the Mark Grace style, he won't hit 25 hr's but he will still post a tidy OPS over .800. McCarthy, a 5th round choice by the Rays in 2015, played more outfield for Port Charlotte than he did at first base, making over 30 starts in the outfield.

Michael Russell

Mike Russell, also a 5th round choice, taken in 2014. Russell is skipping a level, playing at Bowling Green last year. Like McCarthy, Russell is a high average, doubles machine.

A righthanded hitter, Michael appeared in nearly as many games at shortstop (38) as he did at first base (41) for the HotRods. He also made starts at third base and in left field, giving him a super utility factor.

Riley Unroe, a second round pick in 2013, Unroe's father Tim played for the Brewers, Braves and Angels. Riley, a New Orleans native, is a switch hitting middle infielder who could bring the team twenty steals. Unroe showed really well in the Australian League in 2015-16, offering timely hitting and fine defense.

Andrew Velasquez

Andrew Velasquez, drafted out of Fordham Prep in 2012, this Bronx native is a switch hitting shortstop who can also handle occasional duties at second or third base. With just one home run in his last two seasons, Velasquez looks more like a hit for average not for power infielder. 

Alec Sole, getting in just a handful of games with the Biscuits last year could earn the lefty hitting an edge in getting playing time early in the season. Sole brings a good eye to the plate and has nice speed, stealing 14 bags last summer.

Grant Kay is listed as a third baseman due to his 111 games there with Bowling Green in 2015, but last year with the StoneCrabs he played in nearly 80 games at first base and less than a dozen games at third. He also played a game or two at second base, shortstop, left field, fifteen games in right field, and even pitched twice.

Basically he is a baseball swiss army knife in the field. At the dish, the righthanded Kay has occasional pop and excellent speed.

Grant Kay

OUTFIELD
All four outfielders return from last year to form the heart of the Biscuits lineup for 2017. Fans will enjoy watching the outfielders showcase their speed in the field as well as their development as batsmen.

Granden Goetzman, sporting a blond mohawk is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Stealing twenty-six bases last year was impressive but this year he appears more refined and ready to have a break out season.

Primarily a left fielder, the right handed hitting Goetzman has just twenty milb career home runs but could surpass that mark this season after cutting down on his strikeouts over the past two seasons. 

Cade Gotta

Cade Gotta brings it, full speed and max effort. Hustle is a word too tame for Gotta. The Biscuits version of Hunter Pence returns to Riverwalk, perhaps now a little safer with nets to contain his foul balls. Gotta doesn't simply hit a pitch, he appears to be trying to mash the back side of the ball through the front side of the ball in an effort to turn the orb inside out.

Gotta stole 22 bases last year for Montgomery, plus seven in single-A before he got here to make a career high 29. Expect him to exceed that this year and for his batting average to improve in his return to the Skitz. Fielding? Just get out of his way!

Braxton Lee & Cade Gotta

Braxton Lee has a world of talent, but struggled to hit .200 last year, almost 80 points below his career average. He was the poster child for "having an off year". That he played in over 100 games with such a low average shows that manager Brady Williams had faith in the Picayune native.

Expect Lee to get back to being himself, likely playing a lot of center field to utilize his excellent speed and picking up plenty of infield hits.

Justin Williams, left, and Andrew Velasquez

Justin Williams is a joy to watch on a baseball field, the Houma, Louisiana native has a ton of raw ability and a positive attitude towards the game. A career .310 hitter, Justin was challenged by Southern League pitches last summer but at some point this season will make the adjustment to the cheers of Biscuits fans and tears of opposing hurlers.

The 6'2 lefthanded Williams cut his strikeouts nearly in half from 2015 to 2016 and has the look of a future impact player.