It was a good first half of the major league baseball season for many former Tulsa Drillers and players with Oklahoma connections.
Ex-Drillers Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Young and C.J. Wilson played in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Several others, such as Mark Teixeira and Colby Lewis, were near-misses.
Midwest City's Matt Kemp also was in the All-Star Game as a starting outfielder for the National League.
Two Tulsa-area high school graduates, Owasso's Pete Kozma and Booker T. Washington's Mike Wilson, made their major league debuts in the first half of the season with St. Louis and Seattle, respectively, before returning to the minors.
Also making his major league debut was pitcher Juan Nicasio, who went from being the Drillers' opening-night starter to performing solidly in the Colorado Rockies' rotation since late May.
The first half also brought disappointment for several locals who were derailed by injuries such as former Jenks pitcher Josh Johnson, who was off to a great start with the Florida Marlins before going on the disabled list in May with an ailing shoulder, and ex-Stillwater pitcher Brett Anderson, who underwent season-ending Tommy John-elbow surgery on Thursday.
It was a rough first half for former Drillers outfielder Dexter Fowler, who led the majors in triples last year, but was sent down by the Colorado Rockies to Triple-A Colorado Springs due to lack of offense.
And it was a disastrous first half for Spiro's Ryan Franklin, who began the season as the St. Louis Cardinals closer, but was released two weeks ago with an 8.46 ERA - only two years after pitching in the All-Star Game. It also was a nightmarish first half for ex-Drillers pitcher Doug Davis, whose 13-year career may have ended when he was released by the Chicago Cubs two weeks ago after going 1-7 with a 6.50 ERA.
Matt Holliday, OF, St. Louis (Drillers, Stillwater) Holliday reached the All-Star Game for a fifth time despite being sidelined for nine games with an early season appendectomy and being put on the disabled list in June with a sore quad. Despite the ailments and the absence for 17 days of Albert Pujols, Holliday was among the NL's top hitters in the first half with 14 homers, 49 RBIs and a .324 batting average.
Holliday has often been much better in the second half of the season and the Cards will need big production from Holliday in order to prevail in a tight Central Division race.
Ubaldo Jimenez, P, Colorado (Drillers) Last year's All-Star Game starter for the NL had 15 wins at the mid-season break in 2010, but only had four wins the second half. He also only had four wins in the first half of 2011.
Colorado needs much more from Jimenez, who has pitched better during the past seven weeks, in order to win the West Division. Jimenez, who is 4-8 with a 4.14 ERA, has shown flashes of regaining his all-star form.
Matt Kemp, OF, L.A. Dodgers (Midwest City) Some media experts believe Kemp is a leading candidate for the NL's MVP award. He is only the fourth player since 1950 to reach the All-Star break with 20 homers, 60 RBIs, a .300 average and 20 stolen bases. He ended 2010 with homers in his last five games and hasn't cooled off. Kemp, who has 22 homers and 67 RBIs to go with a .313 batting average and 27 steals, is on the way to surpassing his previous best season of 2009.
Brad Penny, P, Detroit (Broken Arrow) Penny has bounced back from an injury-shortened 2010 season and a slow start in 2011 to become a key contributor for the Tigers in their bid to win the American League's Central Division.
With a little luck, Penny would have a better record than 6-6 with a 4.50 ERA. He went a month without a victory before winning his last start before the break, but that drought was primarily due to lack of run support from his teammates.
OKLAHOMA TIES IN THE MAJORS: AT THE BREAK Atlanta Braves Tommy Hanson, P (Tulsa born): Has emerged as one of the Braves’ aces with a 10-4 record and 2.44 ERA. Has won five of his last six starts. Baltimore Orioles Luke Scott, DH (Oklahoma State): Struggled with a torn labrum that limited him to a .223 batting average with nine homers and 22 RBIs. He’s on the disabled list and hopeful of avoiding season- ending surgery. Chicago Cubs Koyie Hill, C (Lawton Eisenhower): A good defensive backup catcher, his offensive numbers are consistent with his career averages — he’s batting .213 with two homers and eight RBIs. Detroit Tigers Brad Penny, P (Broken Arrow): See profile on B1.
David Purcey, P (OU): Has been traded by Toronto and Oakland this season. With three teams, the former first-round draft choice has a combined record of 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 28 appearances.
Florida Marlins Greg Dobbs, IF (OU): Won a job in spring training and is back to his 2007-08 form when he was one of the majors’ top utilitymen. Has a .293 batting average with two homers and 21 RBIs.
Josh Johnson, P (Jenks): No National League pitcher was having a better season than Johnson when he was sidelined in late May with a sore shoulder. In nine starts, he was 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA. He hopes to return in August.
Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp, OF (Midwest City): See profile on B1. Minnesota Twins Scott Baker, P (OSU): Won five of his last six starts going into the All-Star break. Has averaged 13 wins over his last three seasons and is on pace for that total with a 7-5 record and 3.01 ERA.
Nick Blackburn, P (Seminole JC): After posting 10 or 11 wins in each of his first three seasons, he’s en route to his biggest victory total as he’s 7-6 with a 4.24 ERA.
Oakland Athletics Brett Anderson, P (Stillwater): Will be sidelined until at least mid-2012 after undergoing Tommy John-elbow surgery Thursday. Was 3-6 with a 4.00 ERA this season before going on the disabled list. Pittsburgh Pirates Daniel McCutchen, P (OU): Has found his niche in the bullpen after starting his major league career as a starter. In 38 appearances, he’s 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA. St. Louis Cardinals Brian Tallet, P (Putnam West): Was supposed to be a lefty specialist, but struggled with an 8.31 ERA in 18 appearances before being placed on the disabled list last week for the second time this season with a sore elbow. San Diego Padres Jason Bartlett, SS (OU): Has 18 stolen bases, but the Padres expected more offense than he showed in the first half with a .238 batting average and 21 RBIs. San Francisco Giants Freddy Sanchez, IF (Okla. City Univ.): The 2006 NL batting champion was hitting .289 with 24 RBIs before being sidelined in mid-June with a dislocated shoulder. He expects to return next month. Seattle Mariners Jamey Wright, P (Westmoore): With his ninth team in 10 seasons, he is 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 36 games. On July 5, he picked up his first save in his 500th career appearance.
Washington Nationals Adam LaRoche, 1B (Seminole JC): Will be sidelined until next year after undergoing shoulder surgery. Batted .173 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 43 games before being placed on the disabled list.
Baltimore Orioles Justin Duchscherer, P (2000): The two-time All-Star is on the 60-day disabled list and hasn’t pitched this season due to hip and back injuries. Boston Red Sox Franklin Morales, P (2007): Acquired by the Red Sox from the Rockies in May, he has become primarily a specialist against lefthanded hitters and is thriving with the change of scenery. He has allowed only one baserunner in his last five appearances. Overall, he is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 21 games. Chicago Cubs Jeff Baker, IF (2004): A valuable utility player, especially against left-handed pitching. He’s batting .380 against southpaws and .306 overall with two homers and 18 RBIs.
Carlos Pena, 1B (2000): After a nightmarish April, he finished with his numbers for a half — 19 homers, 49 RBIs and a .225 batting average (but only .110 against lefties). When he’s hot, as he has been the past two months, he is one of baseball’s top power threats.
Cleveland Indians Travis Hafner, DH (2002): When he hasn’t been sidelined due to an oblique injury, he has looked as he did when he was one of the AL’s top hitters from 2004- 07. Had a walkoff grand slam on July 7. For the season, he is batting .325 with eight HRs and 35 RBIs. Colorado Rockies Charlie Blackmon, OF (2010): Went on the disabled list with a fractured foot last week. He batted .257 in his first 27 major league games but cooled off after a hot start.
Rex Brothers, P (2010): Except for some control problems, the lefty has been impressive in his major league debut with a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA in 15 appearances since being called up last month.
Jhoulys Chacin, P (2009): Lost his last three starts, but has been the Rockies’ best starting pitcher this year with an 8-7 record and 3.16 ERA.
Aaron Cook, P (2005, ’10-11): After a rehab stint with Tulsa, the Rockies’ all-time wins leader has struggled in six starts, going 0-4 with a 5.82 ERA.
Cole Garner, OF (2009): Made his major league debut last week and is 1-for-8 in three games, but his lone hit was a key RBI single in a win over Washington.
Chris Iannetta, C (2005-06): Gives the Rockies everything they want from a catcher except for his low batting average (.214). Has 10 homers and 32 RBIs.
Juan Nicasio, P (2011): After leading the Texas League in ERA in the first half, he is 3-2 with a 4.91 ERA in eight starts for the Rockies.
Greg Reynolds, P (2007, ’10): Has been the Rockies’ emergency starter and has revived his career with a 3-0 record in six games as he has shuttled back and forth from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Matt Reynolds, P (2009): A dependable lefty in the Rockies’ bullpen with a 3.45 ERA in 43 appearances.
Esmil Rogers, P (2009, ’11): Made a rehab start for Tulsa this week. Had a 3-1 record in five starts for the Rockies before suffering a strained right lat muscle.
Ryan Spilborghs, OF (2005): After five solid seasons as a parttime outfielder, he has been a disappointment this year with a .217 batting average and 15 RBIs.
Ian Stewart, 3B (2006): The Rockies are about to run out of patience with Stewart, who only has seven hits in 66 at-bats (.106) with one homer after socking 43 homers over the previous two seasons.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS (2006, ’08, ’10): His first All-Star Game start came after he batted .268 and led major league shortstops with 17 homers and 57 RBIs at the break.
Detroit Tigers Al Alburquerque, P (2009-10): A huge surprise after struggling with the Drillers last season. In 26 games, he is 5-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 29 innings. On disabled list since June 29 due to a sore elbow but expects to return next week.
Joaquin Benoit, P (2000-01): After signing a big free-agent contract for a set-up reliever in the offseason, he has been a disappointment with a 2-3 record and 4.34 ERA in 39 games. Last year, he was dominant in a set-up role for Tampa Bay with a 1.34 ERA.
Houston Astros Clint Barmes, IF (2005): After starting on the disabled list, he’s having his typical season, batting .250 with four homers and 15 RBIs. Kansas City Royals Jeff Francis, P (2004, ’08, ’10): After battling arm injuries over the past three seasons, he’s healthy this year but hasn’t received much offensive support from his teammates. Has pitched better than his 3-10 record, as a 4.60 ERA indicates. Los Angeles Dodgers Juan Uribe, IF (2003): Many of the Dodgers have been underachievers in the first half and Uribe is no exception as he is batting .207 with four homers and 27 RBIs. Milwaukee Brewers Chris Narveson, P (2004): He’s following the same path as 2010 when he follows a good start with a lackluster performance. He is 6-5 with a 4.77 ERA, similar to last year when finished 12-9 with a 4.99 ERA. New York Mets R.A. Dickey, P (1999): At age 36, he entered the season with a secure job for the first time in his career. The knuckleballer has a 3.61 ERA and has pitched better than his 4-7 record shows. Pittsburgh Pirates Michael McKenry, C (2009): Has sparked the surprising Pirates since being acquired from the Red Sox last month. Has batted .246 with a game-winning homer and six RBIs in 22 games. St. Louis Cardinals Matt Holliday, OF (2003, ’05): See profile on B1. Gerald Laird, C (2002): Returned last Friday after missing six weeks due to a broken finger. Regarded as one of the majors’ best defensive catchers, he’s batting .217 in 16 games. San Diego Padres Brad Hawpe, 1B-OF (2003): His career continued to trend downward as he batted .231 with four homers and 19 RBIs before being sidelined on June 18 with a finger injury. San Francisco Giants Ramon Ramirez, P (2004): Has been among the majors’ most durable and dependable set-up relievers over the past four seasons. He is 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 35 appearances. Texas Rangers Colby Lewis, P (2001): After reviving his career last season, he has been solid in 2011 with an 8-7 record and 4.38 ERA.
C.J. Wilson, P (2002): Showed that his successful move to the starting rotation last year wasn’t a fluke with a 9-3 record and 3.20 ERA. Was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game, but won five consecutive decisions going into the break.
Michael Young, IF (2000): After an offseason of trade rumors, Texas’ all-time hits leader is putting together one of his best seasons as he’s batting .323 with eight homers and 59 RBIs. Played in his seventh All-Star Game.
Toronto Blue Jays Jayson Nix, IF-OF (2004-06): Has been designated for assignment after batting only .169 with four homers. Washington Nationals Ryan Mattheus, P (2007-09): A major surprise with a 2-0 record and 1.32 ERA in 13 relief appearances since being promoted from the minors last month to make his major league debut at 27.
Ivan Rodriguez, C (1991): In his 21st major league season, he’s batting .214 with two homers and 19 RBIs in a part-time role. Was placed on the disabled list last week with a strained oblique. He has 2,842 career hits.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NY Yankees (Drillers) Teixeira has often been a stronger hitter in the second half and that should concern Yankees opponents as he is among the AL leaders at the break with 25 homers and 65 RBIs. A .244 batting average kept him off the All-Star team, but it would be surprising if he didn’t finish close to his .283 career average.
With Alex Rodriguez sidelined for at least a month, the Yankees really need a power-filled second half from Teixeira in order to win the AL’s East Division.
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