This article is from ESPN sports. Those fans wishing to vote for Chris for Rookie of the year can vote at: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/awards/y2009/tyib/index.jsp
Chris played for the Dans in 2004. Bill and Pat Westphal were his host family, and he was coached by Bill Ferrari.
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NL: Chris Coghlan, Marlins
Chris Coghlan
#8 LF
Florida Marlins
It isn't every year that two rookie starters as sensational as J.A. Happ and Tommy Hanson swoop in and go 12-4 and 11-4, respectively, with sub-3.00 ERAs for teams that needed every pitch they threw. But who is the last rookie hit machine remotely like Chris Coghlan? Ichiro? Derek Jeter? Nomar Garciaparra? Well, if those are the names we're comparing this guy to, that pretty much ends the debate about this trophy, wouldn't you say? Coghlan has cranked out more hits (157) than all but three men in the entire National League since his May 8 debut, has more hits (108) than anyone in the sport since the All-Star break and has the highest average (.332), on-base percentage (.394) and OPS (.861) of any NL leadoff hitter for the season. His 48 hits in September were the most by any rookie in 81 years (Chuck Klein, 1928). His 95 hits in August and September combined are the third-most in back-to-back months by any NL player in the expansion era, behind only Pete Rose and Dave Parker -- and the most by any rookie in 62 years (Dale Long, 1947). Five months ago, a lot of people thought the Marlins were crazy to drop this guy into their leadoff hole and a position (left field) he'd played for one day in his pro career. Needless to say, they don't look so nuts anymore. Do they?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
OF ALL PLACES!
This month's Reader's Digest has a letter in their "React" section noting the Danville Dans, in reaction to a letter on the high cost of attending a major league game. It goes, "Soon after moving to Illinois in 1990, I wanted to take my family to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs. After checking prices for parking, admission, and meals, however, we realized the closest we'd ever get to the Cubs was the TV in our living room. Nowadays, we drive two and a half miles to watch the Danville Dans, a great bunch of guys who pay for the love of the game, not a seven-figure paycheck. Rooting for the Dans is just as exciting as watching a pro game-and a lot less expensive. No, Sean, it's not just you." Jack Nallett. Thanks Jack, and thanks Deb Wolgomot for drawing this to our attention. We are grateful to the fans and to our sponsors, who enable us to provide affordable entertainment to our community.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Moreland named minor league Player of the Year
From Scout.com, in a year where Chad Tracy knocked in a Frisco-record 107 runs and Mike Bianucci led the organization with 30 home runs, Danville Dan 2005 alumni Moreland got the nod for minor league Player of the Year because of his remarkable consistency.
Moreland didn’t post a batting average below .296 in any of the minor league regular season's five months. In fact, his next lowest monthly average was .325, which he accomplished in his first full month at Double-A Frisco.
In all, Moreland combined to bat .331 with 38 doubles, 16 home runs and 85 RBIs between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco.
The 24-year-old had little problem sustaining his success after he was promoted to Frisco. Moreland played in 73 games with the RoughRiders, hitting .326 with 19 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs.
Moreland has a line-drive stroke, but he also has above-average home run power. Even with the power, the Mississippi State product is patient and he doesn’t often swing at pitches out of the zone. In 471 official at-bats this season, Moreland struck out just 68 times–seemingly a rarity in today’s game.
For the second consecutive year, the left-handed hitter was more than effective against his fellow southpaws. Between the two levels, Moreland posted a .350/.430/.561 slash line against lefties. More specifically, he had 16 walks and 16 strikeouts in 123 official at-bats.
Moreland’s outstanding 2009 season turned him into one of the top position prospects in the Rangers’ system, and he could get a shot at the Major Leagues at some point next season.
For the time being, Moreland will try to raise his stock even more in next month’s Arizona Fall League. As Moreland told Lone Star Dugout in his interview yesterday, he expects to play about 75 percent of his games with the Surprise Rafters as an outfielder.
Year Team AVG AB 2B HR RBI R SB BB SO OBP SLG
2009 BAK (A+)/FRI (AA) .331 471 38 16 85 85 2/3 44 68 .391 .527
11-1-09, Mitch is currently hitting .397 playing for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.
Moreland didn’t post a batting average below .296 in any of the minor league regular season's five months. In fact, his next lowest monthly average was .325, which he accomplished in his first full month at Double-A Frisco.
In all, Moreland combined to bat .331 with 38 doubles, 16 home runs and 85 RBIs between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco.
The 24-year-old had little problem sustaining his success after he was promoted to Frisco. Moreland played in 73 games with the RoughRiders, hitting .326 with 19 doubles, three triples, and eight home runs.
Moreland has a line-drive stroke, but he also has above-average home run power. Even with the power, the Mississippi State product is patient and he doesn’t often swing at pitches out of the zone. In 471 official at-bats this season, Moreland struck out just 68 times–seemingly a rarity in today’s game.
For the second consecutive year, the left-handed hitter was more than effective against his fellow southpaws. Between the two levels, Moreland posted a .350/.430/.561 slash line against lefties. More specifically, he had 16 walks and 16 strikeouts in 123 official at-bats.
Moreland’s outstanding 2009 season turned him into one of the top position prospects in the Rangers’ system, and he could get a shot at the Major Leagues at some point next season.
For the time being, Moreland will try to raise his stock even more in next month’s Arizona Fall League. As Moreland told Lone Star Dugout in his interview yesterday, he expects to play about 75 percent of his games with the Surprise Rafters as an outfielder.
Year Team AVG AB 2B HR RBI R SB BB SO OBP SLG
2009 BAK (A+)/FRI (AA) .331 471 38 16 85 85 2/3 44 68 .391 .527
11-1-09, Mitch is currently hitting .397 playing for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Wherever he’s needed, Dans Kaczrowski shines in field
YAKIMA, Wash. — Before Dan Kaczrowski embarked on his first professional baseball journey, his college coach made a suggestion.
“He told me it might be a good idea to bring an outfielder’s glove,” Kaczrowski said. “Even though I’d played the infield my entire college career, he said, ‘You never know.’”
It turned out that Jason Verdugo, head coach of the Hamline University Pipers of St. Paul, Minn., was on the right track. He might also have recommended a first baseman’s mitt.
“I didn’t bring one of those, either,” Kaczrowski, a Bears utilityman, said during a recent interview.
Yakima's Dan Kaczrowski warms up to bat as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
And who knows? By the time the Northwest League season ends on Sept. 6, Kaczrowski might need to borrow someone’s catcher’s gear. Or maybe he’ll be summoned to the pitcher’s mound.
Kaczrowski has, after all, played all seven positions other than pitcher or catcher this summer, impressing Yakima manager Bob Didier and others among the Arizona Diamondbacks system.
“He’s also been a DH,” Didier said. “So I guess you’d have to count that, too.”
Have glove, will travel.
That the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Kaczrowski has played so many different positions is one thing. That he’s played each of them well — appearing as well-rehearsed in left field as he has at shortstop or second base — is quite another.
“He’s a baseball player,” Didier said. “I guess that’s the best way to describe him.”
Especially if you trace Kaczrowski’s baseball roots.
The Yakima Bears's Dan Kaczrowski runs for second base as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
“I played everywhere except first and the outfield,” he said of his days at St. Anthony Village High School, located between Minneapolis and St. Paul. “I caught through JVs, and then I was our closer in high school.”
At Hamline (pronounced HAM-lynn), the player known as Kaz to friends and teammates played second base his first two years, then moved to shortstop as a junior and senior.
Early this season Didier, who has a knack for tapping previously unrealized potential, gave Kaczrowski a start in left field. In one of his first games there Kaz made two head-first, diving catches.
“The thing about diving for a ball,” he said, “is you have to know when to do it and when not to. If there are runners on base and you’re in a close game, you don’t want to let the ball to get by you so one or maybe all of them can score. With two out and no one on base — that’s when maybe you dive for one.”
Subsequent moves to center and right revealed similar success. He seems a natural at tracking fly balls, has the speed to reach drives to the gaps and the hands to hang on once he gets there.
Third base, meanwhile, is not called the hot corner for nothing.
“The ball gets on you quick,” Kaczrowski said. “It’s pretty much just reacting.”
His favorite position? “Probably second,” he said.
“The thing with me is, though, that I don’t really care as long as I’m in the lineup. As long as I’m playing — somewhere, anywhere.”
Said Didier, “The good thing about him is has enough arm to play short or third or in the outfield. You can pinch-run him (he began Wednesday night’s game with 10 stolen bases in 12 tries). He has some work to do on his hitting — still tries to pull the ball a little too much (though he had hiked his batting average to .273 prior to Wednesday’s game).
“He’s probably been overlooked some because of his size. But with his versatility, which makes him more valuable to any organization, he has a very bright future.”
And now, a wider selection of gloves.
From sports yakima.com
Dan played for the Dans in 2008, hitting .389 and winning Player of the League honors.
“He told me it might be a good idea to bring an outfielder’s glove,” Kaczrowski said. “Even though I’d played the infield my entire college career, he said, ‘You never know.’”
It turned out that Jason Verdugo, head coach of the Hamline University Pipers of St. Paul, Minn., was on the right track. He might also have recommended a first baseman’s mitt.
“I didn’t bring one of those, either,” Kaczrowski, a Bears utilityman, said during a recent interview.
Yakima's Dan Kaczrowski warms up to bat as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
And who knows? By the time the Northwest League season ends on Sept. 6, Kaczrowski might need to borrow someone’s catcher’s gear. Or maybe he’ll be summoned to the pitcher’s mound.
Kaczrowski has, after all, played all seven positions other than pitcher or catcher this summer, impressing Yakima manager Bob Didier and others among the Arizona Diamondbacks system.
“He’s also been a DH,” Didier said. “So I guess you’d have to count that, too.”
Have glove, will travel.
That the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Kaczrowski has played so many different positions is one thing. That he’s played each of them well — appearing as well-rehearsed in left field as he has at shortstop or second base — is quite another.
“He’s a baseball player,” Didier said. “I guess that’s the best way to describe him.”
Especially if you trace Kaczrowski’s baseball roots.
The Yakima Bears's Dan Kaczrowski runs for second base as his team plays the Tri-City Dust Devils on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)
“I played everywhere except first and the outfield,” he said of his days at St. Anthony Village High School, located between Minneapolis and St. Paul. “I caught through JVs, and then I was our closer in high school.”
At Hamline (pronounced HAM-lynn), the player known as Kaz to friends and teammates played second base his first two years, then moved to shortstop as a junior and senior.
Early this season Didier, who has a knack for tapping previously unrealized potential, gave Kaczrowski a start in left field. In one of his first games there Kaz made two head-first, diving catches.
“The thing about diving for a ball,” he said, “is you have to know when to do it and when not to. If there are runners on base and you’re in a close game, you don’t want to let the ball to get by you so one or maybe all of them can score. With two out and no one on base — that’s when maybe you dive for one.”
Subsequent moves to center and right revealed similar success. He seems a natural at tracking fly balls, has the speed to reach drives to the gaps and the hands to hang on once he gets there.
Third base, meanwhile, is not called the hot corner for nothing.
“The ball gets on you quick,” Kaczrowski said. “It’s pretty much just reacting.”
His favorite position? “Probably second,” he said.
“The thing with me is, though, that I don’t really care as long as I’m in the lineup. As long as I’m playing — somewhere, anywhere.”
Said Didier, “The good thing about him is has enough arm to play short or third or in the outfield. You can pinch-run him (he began Wednesday night’s game with 10 stolen bases in 12 tries). He has some work to do on his hitting — still tries to pull the ball a little too much (though he had hiked his batting average to .273 prior to Wednesday’s game).
“He’s probably been overlooked some because of his size. But with his versatility, which makes him more valuable to any organization, he has a very bright future.”
And now, a wider selection of gloves.
From sports yakima.com
Dan played for the Dans in 2008, hitting .389 and winning Player of the League honors.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
DANS OWE BIG THANKS!
Thanks to all the host families, the fans, the City of Danville, Rep. Black (love the parking lot!), our invaluable sponsors, and all those that participated in and enjoyed the Dans this summer. Here are some pictures of the last home game to enjoy! Special thanks to Deb Edwards who is one of the outstanding photographers for the Commercial News.
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