2013 SEASON SERIES ... Lakeland won 12 of the 20 meetings between the two clubs last season. The Flying Tigers took nine of the last 13 meetings after the Yankees had won four of the first seven.
HOME OPENERS ... This marks the 12th consecutive season Lakeland has faced Tampa to open the season. The Flying Tigers hold a 6-5 advantage in the previous 11 openers and are 8-6 in season openers since 2000. Last season, Lakeland drew 1,703 fans to the first home game of the year while in 2009, the home opener was witnessed by 2,224 fans – the largest first crowd in the last ten seasons.
EIGHT DAYS A WEEK ... Lakeland’s 2014 schedule features three eight-game home stands this season with an additional seven-game home stand as well. The Flying Tigers are scheduled to play 16 of their first 26 games at home in April, but will play at home just twice in the first 15 scheduled games of May. The team only has 11 home dates in May and 11 at home in June, but will play 17 home dates in July and 15 home dates in August.
IS IT DRAFTY IN HERE? ... Twenty of the Flying Tigers came to the organization via the Major League Draft: 2nd round - Jake Thompson (2012); 5th round - Brandon Loy (2011), Joe Rogers (2013); 6th round - Calvin Drummond (2013); Jordan John (2012); 7th round - Connor Harrell (2013), Jade Todd (2008); 8th round - Pat Leyland (2010), Jeff McVaney (2012); 9th round - Chad Wright (2011); 12th round - Jeff Holm (2011); 13th round - Austin Green (2013); 14th round - Lance Durham (2009); 16th round - Josh Turley (2012); 17th round - Slade Smith (2012); 25th round - Jared Reaves (2012); 28th round - Guido Knudson (2011); 30th round - James Robbins (2009); 33rd round - Tyler Hanover (2012), Brennan Smith (2010). In addition, Kevin Eichhorn was a 3rd round pick of Arizona and came to the Tigers, along with Ryan Robowski, in Jan. 2011 as part of Armando Galarraga trade. Another draftee, Will Startup, was a fifth round pick of the Braves in 2005 and was signed by Detroit as a free agent in 2013.
YOU GUYS LOOK FAMILIAR ... Eleven players on the opening day roster are making their second appearances in a Flying Tiger uniform: Lance Durham (2012), Tyler Hanover (2013), Jeff Holm (2012), Guido Knudson (2012), Pat Leyland (2013), Drew Longley (2013), Jeff McVaney (2013), Jared Reaves (2013), Brennan Smith (2013), Slade Smith (2013), Chad Wright (2013). In addition, three players are playing their third time in Lakeland: Kevin Eichhorn (2012, 2013), Dixon Machado (2012, 2013), and Jade Todd (2012, 2013).
CAN I SEE YOUR RING? ... Two players – Dixon Machado and Jeff Todd – were members of the 2012 Florida State League Championship Team. Machado hit .195 in 119 games for the Flying Tigers that season while Todd pitched in one game prior to the FSL Playoffs and made two relief appearances in the playoffs.
SAFE AT HOME ... Joe Rogers, who will begin the 2014 season on the disabled list, played his prep ball at Winter Haven High School and his college career at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Catcher Drew Longley played college ball at nearby University of South Florida.
THAT’S MAJOR, DUDE ... Three Flying Tigers put the student in student-athlete with unique majors in college: Connor Harrell studied financial strategy at Vanderbilt; Guido Knudson was a structural engineering major at the University of California-San Diego; and Drew Longley took up criminology at the University of South Florida.
PITCHERS OF THE YEAR ... Several Flying Tiger pitchers were named the best in the prospective leagues during their careers: Kevin Eichhorn (2011) and Josh Turley (2012) were so honored at West Michigan; Turley copped another award at Connecticut in 2012 following Brennan Smith’s recognition in 2011. Down in the Venezuelan Summer League, Angel Nesbitt picked up league pitcher of the year honors in 2010 while Yorfrank Lopez was the Tigers VSL pitcher of the year in 2011.
BEST OF THE BUNCH ... In 2013, Will Startup was named to the Eastern League Midseason All-Star team while playing for Erie while Jeff McVaney was named a Florida State League Midseason All-Star and Jeff Holm was named to the Midwest League All-Star squads. Five Flying Tigers were named to the New York-Penn League All-Star squads: Tyler Hanvoer, Jared Reaves, and Josh Turley were so honored in 2012, Brennan Smith in 2011 and James Robbins in 2010). Yorfrank Lopez was selected to the Gulf Coast League All-Star squad in 2012.
MMM, MMM, GOOD ... Guido Knudson was named the recipient of the 2013 Jim Campbell Award as the most improved player in the Tigers’ organization.
IT’S ALL IN THE GENES ... Kevin Eichhorn is the son or former Major Leaguer Mark Eichhorn while Lance Durham’s pop is former big leaguer Leon “Bull” Durham who is now the hitting coach for AAA Toledo. Pat Leyland, who is starting the 2014 campaign on the disabled list, is the son of former Detroit Tiger manager, Jim Leyland while Jeff McVaney’s father, John, played for Baltimore.
ROSTER TRIVIA ... The tallest Flying Tiger is pitcher Edgar De La Rosa who would definitely qualify for any ride at Disney World at 6-foot-6. De La Rosa is also the heaviest Lakeland player, tipping the scales at 239. Jake Thompson is the baby of the bunch as he is just 20 years old while Will Startup is the elder statesman of the group, by far, at a wise old 29 years of age. Lakeland has four left-hander batters (not counting pitchers) on the roster in Lance Durham, Jeff Holm, James Robbins, and Chad Wright. Texas sends Lakeland the most players in Connor Harrel (Houston), Jordan John (Corpus Christi), Brandon Loy and Jake Thompson (Dallas), and Josh Turley (Texarkana). Four players hail from California while three each come Venezuela and a pair from Ohio. Seventeen players on the active roster were born in the 1990s.
2013 WRAP ... Lakeland finished 64-68 last season. The squad came in fifth in the first half with a 30-38 record and rallied for a second place finish in the second half with a 34-30 record.
THE SKIPPER ... Manager Dave Huppert, a member of the 2012 FSL Hall of Fame Class, is in his 27th season as a minor league manager and is the active winningest manager in the minors. He ranks 21st all-time with 1,809 career wins (1,809-1,662). He has a 201-200 record with the Flying Tigers. In 2012, he led Lakeland to the Florida State League Championship to record his fourth overall championship and his third in the FSL. He also led the 2001 Brevard County (Brewers) to a co-championship while his 2007 Clearwater (Phillies) squad won the crown outright. In addition, he coached the Lakewood Blue Claws (Phillies) to the 2006 South Atlantic League title.
PROMOTIONAL NIGHTS ... Thursday is Magnet Schedule giveaway with the first 1500 fans receiving a Flying Tigers season schedule magnet courtesy of the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center Lakeland. Thursday is also the annual Taste of Lakeland with area restaurants serving up samples from 5:30–7:00 p.m. or while supplies last. Tickets to the Taste of Lakeland are only $10 (advance of the game) and includes a ticket to the Flying Tigers game.
A LOOK AT THE LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS:
THE PITCHERS:ENDRYS BRICENO (RHP) ... Signed by Detroit in 2009 as a non-drafted free agent ... 2009 - Pitched in 16 games (all relief) for VSL Tigers (0-0, 3.41) with 2 saves ... 2010 - Pitched in 14 games with nine starts for VSL Tigers (2-5, 5.63) ... 2011 - Started 12 games for the GCL Tigers (2-5, 5.34) ... led the GCL with 14 hit batsmen and 72 hits allowed ... 2012 - Started 12 games for Connecticut (4-3, 5.15) ... 2013 - Started 25 games for West Michigan (7-9, 4.47) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 58 starts in 79 appearances (15-22, 4.83) with 193 strikeouts and 120 walks in 311.1 innings over five seasons.
EDGAR DE LA ROSA (RHP) ... Signed by Detroit in 2009 as a non-drafted free agent ... 2009 - Pitched in 17 games with 11 starts for DSL Tigers (3-3, 5.70, 1 SV) ... 2010 - Pitched in 20 games with 11 starts for DSL Tigers (2-9, 4.43) ... 2011 - Started 12 games for the GCL Tigers (2-4, 3.19) ... led the GCL with 67.2 innings and 12 starts ... 2012 - Started 15 games for Connecticut (4-4, 3.10) ... tied for New York-Penn League lead with 15 starts ... 2013 - Started 22 games and made three relief appearances for West Michigan (8-6, 5.61) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 71 starts in 89 appearances (19-26, 4.51) with 286 strikeouts and 157 walks in 379.1 innings over five seasons.
CALVIN DRUMMOND (RHP) ... 6th round pick of Detroit in 2013 out of Arizona Christian University (but did not play baseball) ... COLLEGE - was 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 17 games, 15 starts, for University of San Diego in 2012 ... was 8-4 with a 4.29 ERA at Orange Coast Community College as a freshman in 2009 helping Pirates to State title ... also drafted by Oakland in 39th round in 2012 but did not sign ... 2013 - began season with GCL Tigers where he pitched 2.0 innings in two appearances with one win ... made two starts and 21 relief appearances for West Michigan (3-2, 2.23) with 47 strikeouts and 16 walks in 42.1 innings.
Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) ... Originally a 3rd round pick of Arizona in 2009 draft out of Aptos High School (CA) ... acquired from Arizona, ... seventh pro season, third with Lakeland ... 2008-2010 - was a combined 5-8 with a 4.80 ERA in three seasons in the Oakland organization ... 2011 - West Michigan Pitcher of the Year ... started 25 games with two complete games (11-5, 3.61) with 109 strikeouts and just 33 walks in 152.0 innings ... 2012 - started eight games for Lakeland (3-2, 4.00) ... went on DL on May 15 with strained flexor mass and missed rest of season ... 2013 - started 11 of 12 games for Lakeland (2-6, 4.04) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 21-21 with a 4.08 ERA, 276 strikeouts and 88 walks in 366.2 innings over six seasons ... PERSONAL - Son of former major league pitcher Mark Eichhorn.
JORDAN JOHN (LHP) ... 6th round pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of Oklahoma ... COLLEGE - had Tommy John surgery in 2010 ... All-Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2011 ... All-Big 12 2nd Team in 2012 ... energy management major ... 2012 - pitched in three games for GCL Tigers (0-0, 0.00) ... 2013 - started 19 of 23 games for West Michigan (9-4, 2.92) with 89 strikeouts and 32 walks in 111.0 innings ... selected as Tigers Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month ... named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for May 28-June 2 ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 9-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 114.2 innings with 94 strikeouts and 32 walks.
GUIDO KNUDSON (RHP) ... 28th round pick by Detroit in 2011 out of the University of California-San Diego ... COLLEGE - All-American in 2009 as a sophomore ... 29-12 career record ... two-time all-conference honoree in 2009 and 2011 ... structural engineering major ... 2011 - made 13 relief appearances for the GCL Tigers (1-1, 2.74) and five relief appearances for Connecticut (0-1, 8.10) ... 2012 - made one appearance at West Michigan and 15 appearances for Lakeland (0-1, 4.28) ... 2013 - pitched in 42 games for West Michigan (1-2, 1.79) ... recipient of Jim Campbell Award as most improved in Tigers organization ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 2-5 with a 2.78 in 76 relief appearances with 88 strikeouts and 23 walks in 107.0 innings.
YORFRANK LOPEZ (RHP) ... Signed by Detroit in 2008 as a non-drafted free agent ... 2009 - started six games for VSL Tigers (2-3, 2.23) ... 2010 - made 14 appearances, 3 starts, for VSL Tigers (2-3, 4.97) ... 2011 - started 13 of 17 games for VSL Tigers (2-7, 6.94) and one start and two relief appearances for DSL Tigers (2-0, 1.98) ... named Venezuelan Summer League Tigers Pitcher of the Year ... 2012 - made seven starts and eight relief appearances for GCL Tigers (5-2, 2.32) ... named to GCL All-Star team after leading league with a 2.32 ERA and 57 strikeouts ... 2013 - made 30 appearances, nine starts, for West Michigan (8-5, 4.89) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 21-21 with a 4.42 ERA in 39 starts and 46 relief appearances, 218 strikeouts and 99 walks in 299.2 innings over five seasons.
ANGEL NESBITT (RHP) ... Signed by Detroit in 2009 as a non-drafted free agent ... 2009 - appeared in 13 games for VSL Tigers (0-0, 16.74) ... 2010 - made 19 relief appearances, one start, for VSL Tigers (1-2, 1.34, 3 SV) ... named Venezuelan Summer League Pitcher of the Year ... 2011 - made 13 relief appearances, seven starts, for VSL Tigers (1-3, 4.25, 7 SV) ... appeared in five games for DSL Tigers (1-0, 0.00) ... 2012 - made 20 relief appearances for Connecticut (4-2, 4.71) ... 2013 - second in the Midwest League with 52 relief appearances for West Michigan (3-4, 3.22, 3 SV) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 10-12 with a 4.40 ERA and 15 saves with 141 strikeouts and 81 walks in 212.2 innings over five seasons.
JOE ROGERS (LHP) ... 2014 Transactions: begins 2014 season on disabled list ... 5th round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of Central Florida ... HIGH SCHOOL - played high school ball at Winter Haven High in Polk County ... tossed a no-hitter during his prep career, striking out 20 of 21 batters vs. Lake Gibson on 3/3/09 ... COLLEGE - was an All-Conference USA pick as a junior in 2012 at UCF with a 5-1 record and a 1.47 ERA and a school record 13 saves ... named to Louisville Slugger All-American team as a freshman ... posted a 13-5 record with 30 saves in college (UCF career saves leader) ... 2012 - made 18 relief appearances for Connecticut (2-1, 2.28, 3 SV) ... 2013 - made one appearance for GCL Tigers ... pitched in relief in seven games for Lakeland (1-1, 0.00) ... twice placed on disabled list ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 3-2 with a 1.77 ERA and 3 saves with 34 strikeouts and 17 walks in 35.2 innings.
BRENNAN SMITH (RHP) ...33rd round draft pick by Detroit in 2010 out of Bowling Green State University ... HIGH SCHOOL - won his first 27 starts at Sandusky Perkins High School before losing his final start ... COLLEGE - named Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year ... 2010 - made 12 starts and three relief appearances for Connecticut (1-7, 3.38 1 SV) ... 2011 - started 14 games for Connecticut (4-3, 1.53) ... led New York-Penn League with a 1.53 ERA and 94.0 innings in 2011 ... 2011 Connecticut Pitcher of the Year ... started seven games and made two relief appearances for West Michigan (1-3, 4.99) ... 2011 New York-Penn League Midseason All-Star Team ... 2012 - started 15 games and made four relief appearances for West Michigan (3-4, 3.86) ... 2013 - pitched in 15 games, one start, for West Michigan (2-1, 1.23, 1 SV) ... made 11 relief stints for Lakeland (1-1, 10.43) ... went on DL on 8/2 and missed rest of the season ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 12-19 with a 3.29 ERA and 2 saves with 250 strikeouts and 100 walks in 331.0 innings over four seasons.
SLADE SMITH (RHP) ... 17th round pick by Detroit in 2012 out of Auburn University ... 2012 - made two appearances for Connecticut (0-0, 3.00) ... made 20 appearances for West Michigan (2-1, 3.59, 1 SV) ... 2013 - made three appearances for West Michigan (0-0, 0.00) ... pitched in 30 games, one start, for Lakeland (3-2, 3.56, 2 SV) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 5-3 with a 3.34 ERA and three saves with 81 strikeouts and 34 walks in 118.2 innings over two seasons ... PERSONAL - has seven siblings ... father played quarterback for Auburn (1969-72).
WILL STARTUP (LHP) ... signed by Detroit in 2013 as a minor league free agent ... originally a 5th round draft pick by Atlanta in 2005 ... also pitched in San Diego and Baltimore organizations ... 2005-2007 - was 15-6 in six stops in Braves organization ... 2008 - injured, did not play ... 2009-2012 - 11-3 in eight stops in Padres organization ... 2013 - made 33 relief appearances for Erie (7-1, 3.41 4 SV) ... named to Eastern League midseason All-Star team ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 30-7 with a 2.79 ERA and 16 saves with 292 strikeouts and 97 walks in 349.0 innings over nine seasons.
JAKE THOMPSON (RHP) ... 2nd round pick by Detroit in 2012 (Tigers’ first selection) out of Rockwell-Heath High School (TX) ... HIGH SCHOOL - 1st Team All-American by Baseball America ... was 12-3 with a 1.90 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 16 outings ... also hit .504 with 17 doubles, 15 homers and 58 RBI ... 2012 - started seven games for GCL Tigers (1-2, 1.91) ... named fourth-best prospect in Tigers organization and 14th-best prospect in Gulf Coast League by Baseball America ... 2013 - made 16 starts and one relief appearance for West Michigan (3-3, 3.13) ... ranked fourth best prospect in Tigers organization by Baseball America ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 4-5 with a 2.82 ERA and 122 strikeouts and 42 walks in 111.2 innings in two seasons.
JADE TODD (LHP) ... 2014 Transactions: begins 2014 season on disabled list ... 7th round pick by Detroit in 2008 out of Shades Valley High School (AL) ... was 7-3 with a 1.04 ERA and 96 strikeouts as a senior ... 2008 - pitched in 12 games with five starts for GCL Tigers (3-1, 2.34) ... 2009 - pitched in two games for GCL Tigers (0-0, 1.80) ... pitched in six games, one start, for West Michigan (0-1, 4.41) ... 2010 - made five starts for GCL Tigers (2-0, 2.25) ... started 14 games for West Michigan (0-8, 5.11) ... 2011 - pitched in four games for GCL Tigers (2-0, 1.08) ... pitched in 17 games for West Michigan (2-1, 3.99) ... 2012 - pitched in 44 games for West Michigan (6-2, 1.65) ... Tigers Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month in August ... pitched in one game for Lakeland (member of 2012 FSL Championship squad) ... 2013 - made 11 relief appearances for Lakeland (0-2, 6.00) ... went on DL on 5/21 and missed rest of season. CAREER (entering 2013) - 15-15 with a 3.39 ERA and four saves with 260 strikeouts and 92 walks in 276.0 innings over six seasons.
JOSH TURLEY (LHP) ... 16th round pick of Detroit in 2012 out of Baylor University ... HIGH SCHOOL - 2nd team All-American by Baseball America after compiling a 10-2 record and a 1.15 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 16 games as a senior ... career record of 35-7 with 452 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA ... COLLEGE - was 17-6 in three seasons at Baylor ... All-Big 12 as a junior ... 2012 - pitched in 12 games for Connecticut (4-0, 1.06) ... Connecticut Pitcher of the Year ... named to New York-Penn League midseason All-Star team ... 2013 - made 51 relief appearances for West Michigan (8-4, 2.09, 2 SV) with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 77.2 innings ... selected as West Michigan Pitcher of the Year ... CAREER (entering 2014) - 12-4 with a 1.77 ERA and two saves in 63 relief appearances with 104 strikeouts and 22 walks in 111.2 innings.
THE PLAYERS:
LANCE DURHAM (IF) ... 14th round pick of Toronto in 2009 out of the University of Cincinnati ... HIGH SCHOOL - played at Roger Bacon High School (OH) ... drafted in 45th round by Detroit in 2006, but did not sign ... COLLEGE - set Cincinnati team record with .427 average and 99 hits ... 2009-11 - played in Toronto organization ... 2012 - played 51 games for West Michigan (.238–5–25) ... played in five games for Lakeland (.125–0–0) ... 2013 - played in 120 games for West Michigan (.235–17–68) ... CAREER (entering 2014 season) - 351 games played (.228–39–180) ... PERSONAL - son of former Major Leaguer Leon “Bull” Durham, who is now the hitting coach for AAA Toledo.
AUSTIN GREEN (C) ... 13th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of the University of San Diego ... COLLEGE - earned all-conference honors after hitting .301 with five homers and 39 RBI as a senior ... also drafted in 43rd round by Houston in 2008 out of high school, but did not sign ... 2013 - played in 24 games for Connecticut (.225–1–6) ... played in 11 games for West Michigan (.323–1–4).
TYLER HANOVER (IF) ... 33rd round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of Louisiana State University ... also drafted by the Yankees in 2011, but did not sign ... HIGH SCHOOL - high school All-American ... 2008 Gatorade High School Payer of the Year in NC ... COLLEGE - hit .281 with 13 doubles as a senior at LSU ... set LSU record with 37 sacrifice bunts ... 2012 - played in four games for the GCL Tigers (.364–1–5) ... played in 57 games for Connecticut (.269–2–14) ... New York-Penn Mid-Season All-State in 2012 ... 2013 - played in 82 games for Lakeland (.230–0–21) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 143 games over two seasons (.249–3–40).
CONNOR HARRELL (OF) ... 7th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Vanderbilt University ... COLLEGE - named to SEC All-Freshman team in 2010 after hitting .300 ... helped lead Commodores to College World Series in 2011 ... earned All-America and All-SEC honors in 2013 after batting .312 with 12 homers and 67 RBI ... financial strategy major ... 2013 - played in 65 games for West Michigan (.237–5–29).
JEFF HOLM (OF) ... 12th round pick by Detroit in 2011 out of Michigan State University ... COLLEGE - named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2011 after hitting .376 with nine homers, 61 RBI and 20 stolen bases as a senior ... ranked in the top five in four career offensive categories ... 2011 - played in 58 games for Connecticut (.236–5–25) ... 2012 - played in 40 games for West Michigan (.254–1–11) ... played in six games for Lakeland (.333–0–0) ... 2013 - played in 122 games for West Michigan (.270–9–74) ... named Midwest League Player of the Week (June 24-30) ... named to Midwest League midseason All-Star team ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 226 games (.260–15–110) ... PERSONAL - was also on his high school’s diving team ... father played collegiate baseball for Minnesota and played in the Angels’ organization.
PATRICK LEYLAND (C) ... 2014 Transactions: begins 2014 season on disabled list ... 8th round draft pick by Detroit in 2010 out of the Bishop Canevin High School in Pennsylvania ... 2010 - played in 41 games for GCL Tigers (.219–0–12) ... 2011 - played in 35 games for Connecticut (.220–1–12) ... 2012 - played in 68 games for West Michigan (.237–2–24) ... 2013 - played in 63 games for Connecticut (.206–2–19) ... played in 25 games for Lakeland (.168–0–2) ... PERSONAL - son of former Detroit Tiger manager, Jim Leyland
DREW LONGLEY (C) ... signed as a non-drafted free agent by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of South Florida ... COLLEGE - started 116 games ... criminology major ... 2012 - played in 33 games for the GCL Tigers (.236–2–17) ... 2014 - played in 24 games for the GCL Tigers (.192–1–5) ... played in one game for Lakeland (0x2) ... CAREER (entering 2014) ... played in 58 games (.215–3–22).
BRANDON LOY (IF) ... 5th round draft pick by Detroit in 2011 out of the University of Texas ... HIGH SCHOOL - drafted out of high school by the Orioles in 2088, but did not sign ... hit .517 with 33 stolen bases as a senior ... COLLEGE - earned All-Big 12 honors as a junior at Texas after hitting .342 with 23 doubles and 30 RBI ... 2011 - played in 5 games for the GCL Tigers (.333–0–3) ... played in 12 games for Lakeland (.220–0–2) ... 2012 - played in 134 games for West Michigan (.240–2–39) with 21 stolen bases ... 2013 - played in 70 games for Lakeland (.202–0–10).
DIXON MACHADO (IF) ... signed by Detroit in 2008 as an undrafted free agent ... 2009 - played in 63 games for the VSL Tigers (.205–3–26) ... led VSL with 27 stolen bases ... 2010 - played in 43 games for the GCL Tigers (.261–0–1) ... named the GCL Tigers Player of the Year ... played in seven games for Connecticut (.292–0–1) ... 2011 - played in 124 games for West Michigan (.235–0–28) with 25 stolen bases ... 2012 - played in 119 games for Lakeland (.195–2–37) with 23 stolen bases ... member of Lakeland’s 2012 FSL Championship team ... 2013 - played in 7 games for the GCL Tigers (.321–0–2) ... played in 37 games for Lakeland (.215–1–12) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 400 games over five seasons (.222–6–117) with 89 stolen bases.
JEFF McVANEY (OF) ... 8th round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of Texas State University ... COLLEGE - hit 10 homers in each of his three seasons at TSU ... also had 48 doubles and 139 RBI to go with his 30 collegiate homers ... 2012 - played in 15 games with Connecticut (.288–0–5) ... played in 56 games at West Michigan (.250–4–29) ... 2013 - played in 127 games for Lakeland (.252–7–50) ... led Lakeland in hits (119), runs (62), home runs (13) and stolen bases (13) ... named to Florida State League Midseason All-Star team ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 198 games (.254–11–84) ... PERSONAL - father, John, played baseball for the Baltimore Orioles.
JARED REAVES (IF) ... 25th round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of Alabama ... 2012 - played in 55 games for Connecticut (.240–2–10) ... named to New York-Penn League Midseason All-Star Team ... led all NYPL shortstops in 2012 with a .966 fielding percentage ... 2013 - played in 99 games at West Michigan (.271–5–37) ... played in nine games for Lakeland (.276–0–0) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 168 games (.260–7–47)
JAMES ROBBINS (IF) ... 30th round pick by Detroit in 2009 out of Shorecrest High School (VA) ... 2009 - played in nine games for the GCL Tigers (.361–2–7) ... 2010 - played in 69 games for Connecticut (.251–3–37) ... named to New York-Penn League Midseason All-Star Team ... 2011 - played in 129 games for West Michigan (.251–16–65) ... 2012 - played in 124 games for Lakeland (.237–11–62) ... 2013 - played in 127 games for Erie (.224–7–43) ... CAREER (entering 2014) - played in 458 games (.242–39–214) over five seasons.
CHAD WRIGHT (OF) ... 9th round draft pick by Detroit in 2011 out of the University of Kentucky ... COLLEGE - earned All-SEC honors at UK as a junior after hitting .359 ... 2011 - played in 69 games for Connecticut (.261–0–15) with 14 stolen bases ... 2012 - played in 131 games for West Michigan (.256–4–40) with 21 stolen bases ... 2013 - played in seven games for the GCL Tigers (.167–0–1) ... played in 85 games for Lakeland (.265–0–30) ... CAREER - played in 292 games (.265–4–86) with 46 stolen bases.
THE COACHES:
Manager Dave Huppert ... Fourth season with Lakeland (64-74 in 2011; 73-58 in 2012; 64-68 in 2013) ... 26th season as a minor league manager (1,809-1,662 thru 2013) ... ranks 21st entering 2014 season with 1,809 wins as a minor league manager ... became the Minor League’s winningest active manager on April 19, 2012 ... named to Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2012 ... recipient of Detroit’s Dwight Lowery Award (Player Development Man of the Year) in 2012 ... led Lakeland to 2012 Florida State League Championship (his third FSL title) ... Began managing in the minors in 1986 for the Milwaukee Brewers Helena team in the Pioneer League ... Lakeland is his fourth managerial job in the Florida State League ... Coached the 1993 Sarasota White Sox, 1999-2001 Brevard County Manatees (Marlins) and the 2007 Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) ... Led 2001 Manatees to FSL Co-Championship and Threshers to FSL crown in 2007 ... Also managed the Lakewood Blue Claws (Phillies) to South Atlantic League title in 2006 ... Managed the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in 2010 ... Two-time Minor League Manager of the Year ... Played ten seasons in the minors as a catcher ... Was the Rochester catcher for 31 of the 33 innings against Pawtucket in professional baseball’s longest game on April 18, 1981 ... Played in 17 games in the major leagues - two for Baltimore in 1983 and 15 for Milwaukee in 1985 with a combined 21 at bats ... His one major league hit came off of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro ... Was third base coach for the Washington Nationals in their inaugural season of 2005 ... Turn 54 on April 17.
Coach Larry Herndon (hitting) ... Tenth season with Lakeland ... served as Detroit’s Minor League hitting coach from 1992-98 ... played 14 seasons with Cardinals, Giants and Tigers ... hit .274 with 107 career home runs ... 1976 National League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News as a member of the San Francisco Giants ... member of Detroit’s 1984 World Series Championship team.
Coach Mike Maroth (pitching) ... Third season with Lakeland (his first stint as a professional coach) ... Played for six seasons with Detroit (2002-07), went 50-62 with a 4.81 ERA in 147 APP (143 starts) ... Also played for St. Louis in 2007 ... Originally a 3rd round pick of Boston in 1998 ... Pitched in Red Sox (1998-99), Tigers (1999-2007), Cardinals (2007), Royals (2008) and Twins (2010) organizations ... Was 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 3 games for Lakeland in 1999
