Everything you need to know about Columbus
The Bats are still on the road in Ohio to kick off the week, but tonight they’ll be a little bit closer to home. Following Sunday’s loss in the series finale in Toledo (Louisville won the series 2–1), the good guys headed 146 miles south to Columbus, where they will start a six-game split series with the Clippers.
Tonight’s first pitch at Huntington Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and will feature Louisville’s David Holmberg against Columbus’ Travis Banwart. The rest of the probable pitchers for the series through Thursday are listed below. The Clippers come to Louisville for a three-game set starting Thursday night at Slugger Field.
Tue. 4/8 — RHP Mat Latos (ML Rehab) vs. LHP T.J. House
Wed. 4/9 — LHP Jeff Francis vs RHP Trevor Bauer
Thurs. 4/10 — RHP Tim Crabbe vs. RHP Josh Tomlin
Here’s everything you need to know about the Clippers and Columbus, Ohio:
The Veterans
The Clippers host a number of both veteran players and prospects as they head into the 2014 season. The first of three notable veterans is catcher Luke Carlin. The Maryland native jumped around between Columbus and Cleveland from 2010–12 and departed last year as he spent the season with the Pacific League Salt Lake Bees — Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Carlin returns for his fourth season with the Clippers and although catcher Roberto Perez may receive the majority of the duties behind the plate, Carlin looks to contribute whenever possible. In the season-opening series against the Indianapolis Indians, Carlin appeared in one game and recorded one hit in three at-bats.
Pitcher Josh Tomlin is the second veteran headliner on this year’s club. The organization’s 19th round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft returns for his second consecutive season and third season overall with the Clippers. From 2011–12, Tomlin pitcher in 47 games for the big league Indians and recorded a 17–15 record, but underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his right elbow following the 2012 campaign. He returned last year and emerged all the way from Rookie ball to appearing in a Major League game. During Saturday’s 4–0 loss to the Indianapolis Indians, Tomlin pitched six innings and allowed four runs on five hits to go along with three walks and four strikeouts.
The final veteran contributor is outfielder Matt Carson. The former New York Yankee prospect arrived in Columbus prior to last season and wound up leading the team with a .252 batting average accompanied by 14 home runs and 49 RBI. Carson also appeared in 20 games with the Indians during the season and recorded an impressive seven hits in 11 at-bats. He continued his hot streak over to the early part of this season and recorded four hits in nine at-bats in the club’s season-opening series against Indianapolis. Carson is a career .263 hitter with 167 home runs and 642 RBI in 13 seasons at the minor league level. He has also gained big league experience during four separate stints — two with Oakland (2009–10), one with Minnesota (2012) and one with Cleveland (2013).
The Prospects
RHP Trevor Bauer headlines the group of prospects with the Clippers this season. Originally acquired by the Cleveland Indians (the Clippers’ parent club) in a trade with the Diamondbacks that included the Cincinnati Reds, Bauer made his debut with the Tribe last season. He went 1–2 in four starts in Cleveland with an ERA of 5.29. However, this season, his first start with Columbus proved why he’s so high on the Indians’ list (#3 on the organizational rankings). In six innings of work last Friday, he struck out nine while allowing only one run on a pair of hits and two walks. His matchup with Jeff Francis on Wednesday could be fun to watch.
Coming in at #8 on the Indians prospect rankings is second baseman Jose Ramirez. Ramirez rose quickly through the Indians minor league levels and made his Major League debut with the team last season as a September call-up. In 15 games with Cleveland he went 4-for-12 (.333) at the plate, and this season he is 4-for-16 (.250) at the plate in Columbus with an RBI and a double.
The third-best Indians prospect in Columbus is OF Carlos Moncrief, who entered 2014 as the 10th-best prospect. Moncrief spent last season with Double-A Akron, where he had a breakout year at the plate. In 129 games with the Aeros (now the RubberDucks), Moncrief hit a solid .284 with 17 homers, 75 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. This season is a big opportunity for the 25-year-old to make an impact in the Cleveland chain.
The Ballpark
Name: Huntington Park
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 10,100
Dimensions: LF — 325’ CF — 400' RF — 318’
Ballpark fact: Huntington Park has also hosted a couple of big name concerts in the Dave Matthews Band (2010) and REO Speedwagon (2012).
Best Promotion while Bats are in town: Dime a Dog night. You can guess what that probably means, and if you want to go eat a lot of 10-cent hot dogs, hurry to Columbus and cheer on the Bats tonight.
The City
Columbus may very well be one of our early favorites for “Everything you need to know”, and it’s not just because they serve 10 cent hot dogs. For one, it’s the capital city of the state of Ohio. Another plus is that it’s home to The Ohio State University, which produced the voice of the Bats, Matt Andrews. Columbus is also home to the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) and the Columbus Crew (MLS). In the corporate world, it’s home to headquarters of Nationwide Insurance and Wendy’s (you know, the place with the awesome hamburgers).
Famous folks from C-Bus include Jack Nicklaus, Nick Swisher, Archie Griffin, Bow Wow, R.L. Stine and more.
That will do it for the second edition of “Everything you need to know”. We will be back next weekend when the Bats head to Indianapolis. Before that, make sure you have your tickets for the opening home stand of 2014 at Louisville Slugger Field. Tickets are still available for Thursday’s Opening Night and Thunder Over Louisville.
* All stats are accurate heading into play on April 4. All prospect rankings are according to MLB.com.
