Travelerocity

Gallo gave Dickey-Stephens Park a taste of the 100 home runs to come in MLB

On Wednesday, Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers became the fastest player in American League history to reach 100 home runs -- and he also became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 100 home runs before 100 singles.

While playing in the Texas League with the Frisco Roughriders, this home-run hitting freak gave everyone in attendance at Dickey-Stephens Park on July 3, 2014, a precursor to what he would do in the Majors when he blasted a home run onto the berm toward the dreaded bounce-house playground. It was his 30th home run of the season, which at the time led baseball at all levels. He finished that year with 42.

Gallo is just one of many greats currently in Major League Baseball who performed part of their first act at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Watch the video as Gallo sails his 30th at Dickey-Stephens.

Coming home: An on-deck guide to the home stand against Tulsa on May 9-12

(Dickey-Stephens Park painting by Steve Spencer at Spinadelic.com.)

 

Opponent: Tulsa Drillers (affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers)

Thursday, May 9 (7:10 p.m.) -- It's another Diamantes night in which the Travelers will be wearing those colorful uniforms with the stereotypical sombrero logo that is somehow supposed to be a tribute to the local Hispanic community as part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversion. The uniforms are a tribute to the legend of the mysterious Diamantes, who played baseball in Hot Springs and then one day went looking for diamonds and was never heard from again. Some say he actually disappeared after going to the Centerfold Club and becoming a DJ, but that is another story. Either way, and most importantly, hats and shirts commemorating this legendary figure and his love of cerveza will be available for purchase (in tribute to the local Latino community). There will also be a mechanical bull and postgame avocado giveaway to the last 1,500 fans to leave, both of which will be unrelated to our tribute to Diamantes.

Friday, May 10 (doubleheader starting at 5:10 p.m.) -- If the field is not underwater from all the rain by this point, there will be a "Love, Little Rock" jersey auction from the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce sure to stir up a handful of people who insist this is North Little Rock's team. Also Boy Scouts night and kids run the bases after the game.

Saturday, May 11 (6:10 p.m.) -- T-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presumably with a Heart Hospital logo somewhere on it.

Sunday, May 12 (2:10 p.m.) -- Yes, this is Mother's Day, but the Travs ain't even trying to have that. Instead of the lost cause of trying to appeal to a Mother's Day crowd, they are going with the usual $3 discount with coupon from Edwards Food Giant or military ID and $10 admission to families with a church bulletin.

Home-stand promotions rating: C

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Tulsa Drillers players to watch

27 Keibert Ruiz, C -- Dodgers No. 1 prospect... MLB.com No. 31 overall prospect... on Dodgers 40-man roster... 2018 lowest strikeout rate of any player in Double-A... 2018 AFL All Prospect team... 2018 AFL Rising Stars... 2018 Futures Game selection... 2018 Texas League All-Star... 2017 Baseball America Low Class-A All-Star... 2017 Midwest League All-Star... 2016-17 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star... signed at 16 out of Venezuela for $140,000... MLB projection: Occasional All-Star.

10 Gavin Lux, SS -- Dodgers No. 3 prospect... MLB.com No. 64 overall prospect... 2016 Dodgers top draft pick... Signed out of high school for $2.3 million... 2018 Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year... 2018 Baseball America Minor League All-Star... 2018 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star... 2018 California League All-Star... MLB projection: Top regular starter.

12 Dustin May, P -- Dodgers No. 4 prospect... MLB.com No. 63 overall prospect... $997,500 signing bonus... 2018 California League All-Star... 2017 Midwest League All-Star... MLB projection: Mid-rotation starter.

28 Mitchell White, P -- Dodgers No. 9 prospect... $590,800 signing bonus... MLB projection: Front-line starter.

31 DJ Peters, CF -- Dodgers No. 10 prospect... $247,500 signing bonus... 2018 Texas League home-run champion... 2018 MiLB Double-A Home Run Award... 2017-18 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star... 2017 Baseball America High Class-A All-Star.. 2017 California League MVP... led leagues in strike outs in 2017-18... 2016 Pioneer League All-Star... MLB projection: Average regular starter.

23 Cristian Santana, 3B -- Dodgers No. 13 prospect... 2018 California League postseason MVP... 2018 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star... MLB projection: Average regular starter.

9 Yadier Alvarez, P -- Dodgers No. 14 prospect... on Dodgers 40-man roster... signed out of Cuba for $16 million in 2015... 2017 Futures Game selection... 2018 Texas League All-Star... MLB projection: No. 4 starter.

4 Omar Estevez, 2B -- Dodgers No. 24 prospect... signed out of Cuba for $6 million in 2015...2018 California League All-Star... MLB projection: Possible regular or utility player.

20 Cody Thomas, RF -- Dodgers No. 30 prospect... 2018 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star... 2018 California League All-Star... 2016 MiLB Short Season Home Run Award... $300,000 signing bonus... played football at Oklahoma.. MLB projection: Reserve.

50 Marshall Kasowski, P -- MLB.com Dodgers No. 25 prospect... $125,000 signing bonus

Texas League Top 100 in 2019: Ranking the 100 best players in MLB who have played in the Texas League

In our ranking of the Top 100 players in Major League Baseball who have played in the Texas League, the Arkansas Travelers top the list with the best former player in future Hall of Famer and the highest-paid player in MLB, Mike Trout. But there aren't a whole lot of former Travs after that.

 

In fact, the Travelers have the fewest number of players on the list of all active Texas League teams. Taking this top 100 as a representative sample, that translates to the sparsest talent pool and fewest rehab assignments over the past decade of any Texas League team.

 

Here's how the teams stand in number of players on this list (a handful of players have played on multiple Texas League teams):

 

1) Corpus Christi Hooks - 21 players

2) Tulsa Drillers - 15 players

2) Springfield Cardinals - 15 players

2) Frisco Roughriders - 15 players

5) NWA Naturals - 12 players

6) San Antonio Missions - 10 players

7) Midland Rockhounds - 8 players

8) Arkansas Travelers - 6 players

9) Wichita Wranglers - 1 player

 

Not a big number for the Travs among the top 100 best, but at least no one else can claim Mike Trout.

 

Texas League Top 100

1 - Mike Trout (Arkansas Travelers, 2011), Los Angeles Angels, CF

2 - J.D. Martinez (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2010-11, 13), Boston Red Sox, LF

3 - Nolan Arenado (Tulsa Drillers, 2012), Colorado Rockies, 3B

4 - Jose Altuve (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2011), Houston Astros, 2B

5 - Alex Bregman (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2016), Houston Astros, 3B

6 - Trea Turner (San Antonio Missions, 2015), Washington Nationals, SS

7 - Trevor Story (Tulsa Drillers, 2014), Colorado Rockies, SS

8 - Charlie Blackmon (Tulsa Drillers, 2010), Colorado Rockies, RF

9 - Corey Kluber (San Antonio Missions, 2009-10), Cleveland Indians, P

10 - Carlos Correa (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015, 17), Houston Astros, SS

 

11 - Whit Merrifield (NWA Naturals, 2012-14), Kansas City Royals, 2B

12 - Cody Bellinger (Tulsa Drillers, 2016), Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B

13 - Matt Carpenter (Springfield Cardinals, 2010, 12, 16), St. Louis Cardinals, 3B

14 - George Springer (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2012-13, 15), Houston Astros, CF

15 - Adelberto Mondesi (NWA Naturals, 2015-16), Kansas City Royals, SS

16 - Corey Seager (Tulsa Drillers, 2015), Los Angeles Dodgers, SS

17 - Nelson Cruz (MIdland Rockhounds, 2004 / Frisco Roughriders, 2010-11), Minnesota Twins, DH

18 - James Paxton (Arkansas Travelers, 2017), New York Yankees, P

19 - Walker Buehler (Tulsa Drillers, 2017), Los Angeles Dodgers, P

20 - Clayton Kershaw (Tulsa Drillers, 2019), Los Angeles Dodgers, P

 

21 - Jean Segura (Arkansas Travelers, 2012, 17), Philadelphia Phillies, SS

22 - Joey Gallo (Frisco Roughriders, 2014-15), Texas Rangers, LF

23 - Lorenzo Cain (NWA Naturals, 2012), Milwaukee Brewers, CF

24 - Rougned Odor (Frisco Roughriders, 2013-14, 18), Texas Rangers, 2B

25 - Zack Greinke (Wichita Wranglers, 2003, 06), Arizona Diamondbacks, P

26 - Roberto Osuna (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2018), Houston Astros, RP

27 - Jack Flaherty (Springfield Cardinals, 2017), St. Louis Cardinals, P

28 - Tommy Pham (Springfield Cardinals, 2010-13, 16), Tampa Bay Rays, CF

29 - Mike Foltynewicz (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2013), Atlanta Braves, P

30 - Jose Leclerc (Frisco Roughriders, 2015-17), Texas Rangers, RP

 

31 - Charlie Morton (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2017), Tampa Bay Rays, P

32 - Matt Chapman (Midland Rockhounds, 2016), Oakland Athletics, 3B

33 - Jonathan Villar (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2011-12), Baltimore Orioles, 2B

34 - Josh Donaldson (Midland Rockhounds, 2009), Atlanta Braves, 3B

35 - Miles Mikolas (San Antonio Missions, 2011-12), St. Louis Cardinals, P

36 - Yu Darvish (Frisco Roughriders, 2016), Chicago Cubs, P

37 - Kyle Hendricks (Frisco Roughriders, 2011), Chicago Cubs, P

38 - Josh Hader (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2014-15), Milwaukee Brewers, RP

39 - Wil Myers (NWA Naturals, 2011-12), San Diego Padres, LF

40 - Sean Doolittle (Midland Rockhounds, 2008, 12, 15), Washington Nationals, RP

 

41 - Mike Moustakas (NWA Naturals, 2010, 16), Milwaukee Brewers, 3B

42 - Yadier Molina (Springfield Cardinals, 2014, 18), St. Louis Cardinals, C

43 - Elvis Andrus (Frisco Roughriders, 2008, 18), Texas Rangers, SS

44 - Nomar Mazara (Frisco Roughriders, 2014-15, 18), Texas Rangers, RF

45 - Max Muncy (Midland Rockhounds, 2013-14), Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B

46 - Eric Hosmer (NWA Naturals, 2010), San Diego Padres, 1B

47 - Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Antonio Missions, 2017-18), San Diego Padres, SS

48 - Joey Lucchesi (San Antonio Missions, 2017), San Diego Padres, P

49 - Corey Dickerson (Tulsa Drillers, 2012), Pittsburgh Pirates, LF

50 - Ross Stripling (Tulsa Drillers, 2015), Los Angeles Dodgers, P

 

51 - Shin-Soo Choo (San Antonio Missions, 2004 / Frisco Roughriders, 2016), Texas Rangers, RF

52 - Brandon Morrow (San Antonio Missions, 2015-16), Chicago Cubs, RP

53 - Will Smith (Arkansas Travelers, 2010), San Francisco Giants, RP

54 - Dallas Keuchel (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2010-11, 17), New York Yankees (projected), P

55 - Stephen Piscotty (Springfield Cardinals, 2013, 17), Oakland Athletics, RF

56 - Justin Smoak (Frisco Roughriders, 2009), Toronto Blue Jays, 1B

57 - Domingo Santana (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2013), Seattle Mariners, RF

58 - Matt Olson (Midland Rockhounds, 2015), Oakland Athletics, 1B

59 - Joe Musgrove (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015-16), Pittsburgh Pirates, P

60 - John Gray (Tulsa Drillers, 2014), Colorado Rockies, P

 

61 - Paul DeJong (Springfield Cardinals, 2016), St. Louis Cardinals, SS

62 - Colin McHugh (Tulsa Drillers, 2013 / Corpus Christi Hooks, 2017), Houston Astros, RP

63 - Harrison Bader (Springfield Cardinals, 2016), St. Louis Cardinals, CF

64 - Sonny Gray (Midland Rockhounds, 2011-12), Cincinnati Reds, P

65 - Brad Peacock (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015), Houston Astros, RP

66 - Randal Grichuk (Arkansas Travelers, 2013), Toronto Blue Jays, RF

67 - Jurickson Profar (Frisco Roughriders, 2012, 15), Oakland Athletics, SS

68 - Marco Gonzalez (Springfield Cardinals, 2014-15), Seattle Mariners, P

69 - Ramon Laureano (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2016-17), Oakland Athletics, RF

70 - Chris Paddack (San Antonio Missions, 2018), San Diego Padres, SP

 

71 - CJ Cron (Arkansas Travelers, 2013), Minnesota Twins, 1B

72 - Odubel Herrera (Frisco Roughriders, 2013-14), Philadelphia Phillies, CF

73 - Yuli Gurriel (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2016, 18), Houston Astros, 1B

74 - Carlos Martinez (Springfield Cardinals, 2012-13, 18), St. Louis Cardinals, P

75 - Jed Lowrie (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015), New York Mets, 2B

76 - Josh James (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2017-18), Houston Astros, RP

77 - Derek Holland (Frisco Roughriders, 2008, 14, 15), San Francisco Giants, P

78 - Luke Weaver (Springfield Cardinals, 2016), Arizona Diamondbacks, P

79 - Matt Strahm (NWA Naturals, 2016 / San Antonio Missions, 2018), San Diego Padres, P

80 - Greg Holland (NWA Naturals, 2009, 12 / Springfield Cardinals, 2018), Arizona Diamondbacks, RP

 

81 - Franmil Reyes (San Antonio Missions, 2017), San Diego Padres, RF

82 - Trevor Rosenthal (Springfield Cardinals, 2012), Washington Nationals, RP

83 - Jhoulys Chacin (Tulsa Drillers, 2009, 12), Milwaukee Brewers, P

84 - Tyler White (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015), Houston Astros, 1B

85 - Jakob Junis (NWA Naturals, 2015-16), Kansas City Royals, P

86 - Jesus Luzardo (Midland Rockhounds, 2018), Oakland Athletics, P

87 - Robinson Chirinos (Frisco Roughriders, 2016), Houston Astros, C

88 - Mike Minor (NWA Naturals, 2016), Texas Rangers, P

89 - Kurt Suzuki (Midland Rockhounds, 2006), Washington Nationals, C

90 - Alex Reyes (Springfield Cardinals, 2015, 18), St. Louis Cardinals, P

 

91 - Adam Ottavino (Springfield Cardinals, 2008), New York Yankees, RP

92 - Michael Wacha (Springfield Cardinals, 2012, 14, 18), St. Louis Cardinals, P

93 - Juilo Urias (Tulsa Drillers, 2015), Los Angeles Dodgers, RP

94 - Ryan O'Hearn (NWA Naturals, 2016-17), Kansas City Royals, 1B

95 - Pedro Strop (Tulsa Drillers, 2008 / Frisco Roughriders, 2009), Chicago Cubs, RP

96 - Jorge Alfaro (Frisco Roughriders, 2014-15), Miami Marlins, C

97 - Jake Odorizzi (NWA Naturals, 2011-12), Minnesota Twins, P

98 - Drew Pomeranz (Tulsa Drillers, 2011-13), San Francisco Giants, P

99 - Vince Velasquez (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2015), Philadelphia Phillies, P

100 - Forrest Whitley (Corpus Christi Hooks, 2017-18), Houston Astros, P

Why are the Travelers wearing these camouflage uniforms for a road game?

The Travelers' televised game on Fox Sports Southwest against the Frisco Roughriders on Thursday night was a great showcase for the franchise as the team handed Frisco a 13-2 loss.

But I could not get past the camouflage jerseys that the Travs were wearing.

Why, why, why do the Travelers wear camo jerseys during a road game? These are the kinds of things you break out four times a year at home as a tribute to Little Rock Air Force Base or for Game & Fish Commission night.

But on the road? Maybe only if the home team is doing something similar. But Frisco wasn't and was in regular game uniforms.

Camo road jerseys... the Diamantes home uniforms... some of the worst hat and jersey logos in all of Minor League Baseball... I am starting to wonder about the people making these decisions in the front office.

Razorback game spotlights embarrassing field conditions at Dickey-Stephens Park

The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team made its annual tour stop at Dickey-Stephens Park, and while the game put a statewide spotlight on the home of the Arkansas Travelers, it also showcased the embarrassing field conditions that continue to plague the stadium during the spring.

Instead of one of the great Minor League parks in the country, the grass makes it look like the final days of Ray Winder Field. And this will just further the image of central Arkansas to outsiders as never able to measure up to the grandeur of NWA.

It is difficult to understand why the grass at Dickey-Stephens has these problems because meanwhile in colder-climate Fayetteville...