Tulsa Drillers – April Recap

Tulsa Drillers – 16-8, 1^st place Texas League North 3.0 games ahead of the field, 2^nd best overall record in Texas League.

I do not believe that anyone has ever opined that the jump from any MiLB level to the next MiLB level is any where close to the magnitude of the jumpr from AAA (or AA) to MLB. However, it has been argued that the jump from A+ to AA is the most difficult and it is where the prospects are divided to those who may become MLB players to those who are organizational depth. It separates the wheat from the chaff. I have personally spoken to many players, players’ parents, and scouts who have agreed with that premise. Most without even thinking about it.

This was the team with all the hoopla with regards to their prospective OF.  Two consensus top 50 OF prospects, both 21: Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope. Both players have played to the hype, but there are a couple of others who have pushed their way to the monitor list: CF Kendall George, RHSP Patrick Copen, and LHSP Luke Fox.

• Josue De Paula (21) – 107 PA, .302/.439/.419/.884, 17 runs, 16 RBI, 26 hits, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 20 BB, 15 K, 9 SB, 2 CS.

• Zyhir Hope (21) – 101 PA, .286/.347/.495/.842, 13 runs, 21 RBI, 26 hits, 4 doubles, 5 HR, 8 BB, 22 K, 4 SB, 2 CS.

• Kendall George (21) – 101 PA, .365/.439/.419/.858, 21 runs, 12 RBI, 31 hits, 5 doubles, 0 HR, 14 BB, 18 K, 15 SB, 1 CS.

Kendall George has been a big surprise.  I fully expected him to play good D and run.  But to hit at the level he is currently hitting was unexpected.  It started late last year at Great Lakes.  In the 2^nd half, he slashed .345/.454/.409/.863.  It was the first signs as a professional that he showed an ability to be a threat with the bat.

He has carried it over in his first chance at AA. He will never hit for power, but is there really any reason he cannot play at the level of Tampa Bay’s Chandler Simpson?  Or better?  Is it conceivable that George will get a call for AAA?  Is Mike Siani really going to block him all year?

The maturation for all three Tulsa OF has been impressive.  With Tibbs III, Sirota, Quintero, Davalan, Ko…That is a boat load of talent that cannot all fit into the LAD roster.

One other position player has sparked a real interest in his development: 3B/1B/LF Kyle Nevin.  I generally love bloodlines, but I was not all in on Kyle.  But he is proving that he belongs in the discussion for future MLB players.  As a regular or platoon?  The storyline has not yet been written.  What he does show is ability to drive in runs.  Seems to be the right guy up at the right time.

• Kyle Nevin (24) – 106 PA, .269/.349/.409/.758, 16 runs, 21 RBI, 25 hits, 4 doubles, 3 HR, 10 BB, 20 K, 4 SB, 0 CS.

IMO, he is not quite at the Kyle Karros level, but is he really that far behind? If as expected both Freeland and Kim are dropped down to OKC later this month, Nevin will be blocked.  1B – James Tibbs III and Ryan Ward; INF – Ryan and Tyler Fitzgerald, Austin Gauthier, Noah Miller, and soon Freeland and Kim.  I do not consider Nick Senzel an obstacle.

Where do Tulsa hitters rank in Texas League (10 team league):

Batting Average:

• Kendall George – .365 – #2

OBP:

• Kendall George – .460 – #3
• Josue De Paula – .429 – #5

SLG:

• Griffin Lockwood-Powell – .527 – #11

OPS:

• Griffin Lockwood-Powell – .921 – #9

Hits:

• Kendall George – 31 – #2
• Josue De Paula – 26 – #8
• Zyhir Hope – 26 – #8
• Kyle Nevin – 25 – #11

Runs:

• Kendall George – 21 – #2
• Josue De Paula – 17 – #10

HR:

• Jake Gelof – 5 – #6
• Zyhir Hope – 5 – #6

RBI:

• Zyhir Hope – 21 – #2
• Kyle Nevin – 21 – #2

SB:

• Kendall George – 15 – #1
• Josue De Paula – 9 – #5

Team Rankings:

• Hits – 209 -#4
• Runs – 152 – #2
• BA – .265 – #3
• OBP – .371 – #1
• SLG – .420 – #5
• OPS – .791 – #3
• Doubles – 32 – #8
• Triples – 2 – #8
• HR – 29 – #4
• BB – 124 – #2
• K – 224 – #7

The Drillers had two pitchers who are considered qualified starters: RHSP Patrick Copen and LHSP Luke Fox.

• Patrick Copen – 5 starts, 28.0 IP, 0.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .149 BAA, 14 hits, 6 runs, 14 BB, 37 K, 0 HR – Yes too many walks.

• Luke Fox – 4 starts, 19.2 IP, 2.29 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, .125 BAA, 8 hits, 5 runs, 5 BB, 23 K, 1 HR – Currently on 7-day IL.

ERA:

• Patrick Copen – 0.96 – #1
• Luke Fox – 2.29 – #3

Runs:

• Luke Fox – 5 – #1
• Patrick Copen – 6 – #2

Hits:

• Luke Fox – 8 – #1
• Patrick Copen – 14 – #2

WHIP:

• Luke Fox – 0.66 – #1
• Patrick Copen – 1.00 – #2

BAA:

• Luke Fox – .125 – #1
• Patrick Copen – .149 – #2

LHP Adam Serwinowski is not amongst the leaders in any category.  He has had one game that would be considered good.  He is somewhat of a disappointment, but at 21 (22 on June 7), he has plenty of time to regroup.  Most publication pundits have him as a RP way more than a SP.  He has late inning high leverage RP as his floor.

Per MLB Pipeline:

“He could be a mid-rotation starter if he polishes his splitter as well as his control and command, and perhaps a high-leverage reliever if he doesn’t.”

As you might surmise, I have not given up on a 22 year old LHP at AA.

I am not sure why RHRP Nick Robertson is at AA.  He is dominating in AA.  In 8 games, 13.0 IP, 4-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 2 hits, 3 BB, 12 K, 0.38 WHIP, .050 BAA.  He has MLB experience, and should be in the discussion for advancement and consideration for MLB time this summer.

26 year old RHRP Lucas Wepf has pitched well in relief thus far. In 9 games, 14.0 IP, 1-0 record, 1 save in 1 SVO, 2.57 ERA, 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 BB, 21 K, 0.71 WHIP, .128 BAA, 2 HR.

23 year old RHRP Cam Day is improving seemingly every outing.  In 9 games, 11.2 IP, 0-0, 2 saves in 2 SVO, 2.31 ERA, 9 hits, 3 runs, 6 BB, 9 K, 1.25 WHIP, .220 BAA, 0 HR.  Most of the damage was done early.  He has been outstanding in his last five appearances (including 1 in May).  He is not on anyone’s radar, but he is pitching well enough to merit consideration for advancement.

One recently promoted reliever who is getting some traction is 24 year old LHRP Myles Caba. I will be interested in reporting how he performed in AA in May.

MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS

Salt Lake City Bees (LAA) 9 – OKC Comets 7

Kiké Hernández made his 1^st rehab start in this one.. He went 1-3 with a double (1) and a run scored.  He started at 3B, Tyler Fitzgerald PH for Kiké in the 5^th.  He figured to be activated for May 25, and that fits right in with that plan.

LHSP Logan Allen surrendered a leadoff Nick Madrigal double.  Madrigal would then score on a 2-out single by Jeimer Candelario.

2B Ryan Fitzgerald tied it up with a leadoff HR in the 1^st. 

OKC took the lead in the 2^nd.  SS Noah Miller reached on catcher’s interference.  CF Michael Siani drew a BB.  The runners were balked to 2^nd and 3^rd/  Miller scored on a ground out.

After a single and a BB to lead off the 2^nd, Allen got a double play and retired the next ten batters through the 5^th. 

In the home half of the 5^th, Ryan Fitzgerald drew a BB and Kiké moved him to 3^rd on a ground rule double.  1B Ryan Ward hit a 3-run HR, and a 5-1 lead.  With 2 outs, LF Zach Ehrhard drew a BB followed by a Miller single and Siani BB to load the bases.  C Chuckie Robinson walked to bring home Ehrhard, and Miller scored on a WP.

https://twitter.com/OKC_comets/status/2051825911217971571?s=20

In the 6^th, Allen gave up a 2-run HR, that was followed by a BB and single.  RHRP Paul Gervase was summoned to replace Allen who did not record an out in the inning.  Gervase issued a BB to load the bases and a SF brought home the 3^rd run of the inning. 

RHRP Brusdar Graterol entered in the 7^th.  He got two quick outs and then gave up a HR and back to back doubles to tighten the score to 7-6.  LHRP Antoine Kelly relieved Graterol and got the final out.

With RHRP Wyatt Mills on the mound in the 8^th.  He gave up a double and then 2-out single to CT3 to tie the score. 

Mills gave up 2 more runs in the 9^th, giving the Bees the 9-7 win.

OKC got questionable relief pitching and managed all of 5 hits.  No OKC batter had a multi-hit game.  Not a good recipe for a win.

Kiké on defense

https://twitter.com/OKC_comets/status/2051823470015615312?s=20

Box Score

Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 11 – Tulsa Drillers 7

This was a bullpen game for Tulsa.  Recently promoted LHRP Myles Caba was the opener.  He retired the side in order in the 1^st.  In the 2^nd, he gave up a single and BB.  Struck out the next batter, but the runners executed a double steal  Both runners scored on a single before Caba got out of the inning.

LHRP Evan Shaw had a horrendous outing. He hit a batter, RBI double, single, BB, and 2-run single.  RHRP Roque Gutierrez relieved Shaw and gave up a RBI single.  That single was followed by a 3-run HR, and a 9-0 lead.

Tulsa started to climb back in in the 4^th.  CF Kendall George led off with a double (6) and scored on 3B Kyle Nevin’s 1-out single.  RF Zyhir Hope reached on an E3.  The two runners moved up on a balk, and both scored on SS Elijah Hainline’s single.

Tulsa put up 3 more in the 5^th.  1B Joe Vetrano led off with a double (2) and scored on a single by C Frank Rodriguez.  After George reached on a force out, LF Josue De Paula powered his 4^th HR.

https://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers/status/2051823595286823090?s=20

In the 7^th, Rodriguez tripled (1) and George drew a BB. Rodriguez was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice.  George scored on a throwing error, and that brought the Driller to within 2, 9-7.

After the HR, Gutierrez retired 9 consecutive batters.  LHRP Christian Suarez pitched a scoreless 7^th.  RHRP Carson Hobbs gave up 2 more runs in the 8^th on 3 hits and 1 BB, with 2 K.

Tulsa went out meekly in the final 2 innings.

Kyle Nevin and Frank Rodriguez each had a pair of hits.  Kendall George was 1-2 with 2 BB.

Box Score

Great Lakes Loons vs Lake County Captains (Cleveland) Postponed Inclement Weather

Will be made up as part of a DH on May 7.

Ontario Tower Buzzers 3 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAA) 0

The LAD Cal League team was back in their previous home for the first time. 

RHSP Jesus Tillero started and pitched very well for 6.1. He threw 84 pitches (62 strikes).  He walked the leadoff hitter in the 7^th and struck out the next batter before giving way to RHRP Jholbran Herder.  Overall Tillero allowed 4 hits, 1 BB, and 7 K, while Herder allowed 1 hit and struck out 2 in his 1.1 IP.

With two outs in the 8^th, RHRP Jecsua Liborius finished off the shutout win and Liborius’ 3^rd save.  He allowed 1 hit and struck out 3 in his 1.1 IP.

Jecsua Liborius does it again.

1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 25 PC (72% SR)

He entered in the eighth for a four-out save and finished the closing job with three strikeouts. This lowered his ERA to 1.35 on the season.

A more effective closer than Ben Joyce. pic.twitter.com/7PbCEryh3k

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) May 5, 2026

In the 4^th, Ontario scored a run after C Anson Aroz drew a 2-out BB and scored on 1B Easton Shelton’s double (7).

Easton Shelton got the Buzzers on the board today with a double that rattled the boards down the left field line.

Shelton is a 6-foot-4 first baseman and has 4 home runs with 19 RBI in 22 games this season, and 11 of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases. Shelton has homered… pic.twitter.com/QFb8FT8VqU

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) May 6, 2026

Ching-Hsien Ko hit his 4^th HR in the 8^th.

Ching-Hsien Ko is on an insane streak.

2-4, HR (4), 2B, RBI, R

After this game, he has already matched his home run total in 68 fewer games and 288 fewer plate appearances. Moreover, he is also up to five doubles on the year, slowly catching up to the total from the last (18) pic.twitter.com/Jel0y1uhkG

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) May 5, 2026

In the 9^th, DH Jose D. Hernandez walked and LF AJ Soldra was HBP.  Both runners moved up on a WP.  Hernandez scored on SS Emil Morales’ sac fly.

• Ching-Hsien Ko – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, Double (5), HR (4)
• Easton Shelton – 2-4, 1 RBI, double (7)

Box Score

ACL Dodgers 7 – ACL Brewers 3 – 8 innings

The Dodgers broke open a 3-3 tie in the 8^th with 4 runs.

In the 2^nd inning, Dodgers were issued two walks.  The next batter hit into a DP with the lead runner, DH Francisco Espinoza, getting to 3B.  Espinoza scored on a WP.

RHP Joel Cruz gave up the tying run in the 3^rd.  Two singles and a ground out brought the run home. 

In the 4^th, Espinoza doubled (1) and moved to 3B on an error.  He scored on a WP.

In the 7^th, the Dodgers got a 3^rd run on singles from RF Jose Gonzalez, SS Javier Herrera, and 3B Moises Bolivar.

In the bottom of the 7^th, LHRP Peter Bonilla gave up a BB and game tying HR.

The game moved to extra innings.

In the 8^th, there was a placed runner at 2^nd.  2B Daniel Mielcarek drew a 1-out BB.  LF Elias Medina followed with a run scoring single.  CF Abel Lorenzo hit a 3-run HR, giving the Dodgers a 7-3 lead.

After blowing a save in the 7^th, Bonilla pitched a scoreless 8^th for the win. 

• Javier Herrera – 2-5, double (2)
• Jose Gonzalez – 2-4, 1 run, double (1)
• Francisco Espinoza – 1-2, 2 BB, 2 run, double (1)
• Abel Lorenzo – 1-4, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (1)

Box Score