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January 13, 2012

Dragons 13th Annual National Anthem Tryouts March 3-4

Dayton Daily News and Dayton Dragons hosting tryouts at Mall at Fairfield Commons and Dayton Mall

DAYTON, OHIO – A traditional sign that baseball season is just around the corner in the Miami Valley is the Dayton Daily News / Dayton Dragons National Anthem Tryouts at the Dayton Mall and the Mall at Fairfield Commons.  Auditions for this summer’s national anthem performers will be Saturday, March 3rd at the Dayton Mall (Center Court) from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 4th at the Mall at Fairfield Commons (Main Court) from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The winners will perform the national anthem at Dragons games throughout the season, with the grand prize winner performing at Opening Night 2012 before the Dragons host the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, April 5th at 7:00 p.m.

Pre-registration will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20th. The first 300 entrants who pre-register for this event will receive scheduled tryout times.  Performers can pre-register by visiting daytondragons.com.  

A panel of local citizens including Dayton Daily News columnists and editors, city officials and community leaders will be judging the event.  The panel will make its selections based on voice quality, creative style, stage presence, and appearance. 

January 10, 2012

Dragons News and Notes

Believe it or not, the next baseball season is on the way.  Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 19 in Goodyear, Arizona.  The Dragons roster will be finalized approximately March 30 and the first game of 2012 (the Dragons 13th season in the Midwest League) is Thursday, April 5 vs. the West Michigan Whitecaps at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field.

Player Spotlight:  Robert Maddox, first baseman.  If roster expectations prove correct for 2012, the Dragons first baseman will be power-hitting Ohio native Robert Maddox.  Maddox finished second in the Pioneer League in home runs in 2011 when he blasted 16 long balls in 63 games for the Billings Mustangs, averaging a homer every 16 at-bats.  Maddox, from Euclid, Ohio near Cleveland, played at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, the same school that produced former Ohio State basketball star David Lighty and current Washington Redskins All-Pro linebacker London Fletcher.  St. Joseph also produced football stars Desmond Howard, Elvis Grbac, Mike Golic (now co-host of ESPN’s Mike and Mike in the Morning), and basketball star Clark Kellogg prior to merging with Villa Angela in 1990.  Maddox was drafted by the Atlanta Braves after high school, but instead went on play at Ohio University.  With the Bobcats, he led the Mid American Conference in home runs with 21 in 2010 and set a school record with 74 RBI in a 55 game season, the fourth highest total in the history of the conference.  Maddox nearly made the Dragons opening day roster in 2011 before winding up at Billings.  He appears to have a clear path to Dayton in 2012 after a strong season last year and should provide some tape measure blasts for fans at Fifth Third Field.

Congratulations to Mack Jenkins, longtime Cincinnati Reds minor league pitching coordinator and a frequent observer from the home dugout during games at Fifth Third Field, on his new assignment as Reds Assistant Pitching Coach.  Jenkins has been a pitching coach in the Reds farm system since 1990 after concluding his career as a pitcher in the Reds organization.  He had overseen the entire player development program for all Reds minor league pitchers over the past six seasons and in that role, typically made about four visits each season to Dayton. 

Dragons on the Reds Roster:  The Reds current 40-man roster includes 23 former Dragons players.  They are pitchers Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Carlos Fisher, Kyle Lotzkar, Logan Ondrusek, Jordan Smith, and Pedro Villarreal; catchers Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco; infielders Zack Cozart, Juan Francisco, Todd Frazier, Didi Gregorius, Paul Janish, Donald Lutz, Henry Rodriguez, Neftali Soto, Chris Valaika, and Joey Votto; and outfielders Jay Bruce, Chris Heisey, Denis Phipps, and Drew Stubbs.  Additionally, former Dragons pitcher Jeremy Horst will be in camp with the Reds as a non-roster player.  Dragons fans do not have to think back far to find recent players on the Reds roster.  Lutz and Lotzkar played on the 2011 Dragons club, while Villarreal, Gregorius, and Rodriguez played in Dayton in 2010. 

Game Times:  Dragons 2012 game times have been set.  All Monday-Saturday games will start at 7:00 p.m.  All Sunday games in April, May, and June will start at 2:00 p.m. with one exception.  The April 22 game will start at 4:00 p.m. to accommodate Midwest League travel restrictions for the first game of a new series (the first game of any series must start no earlier than 4:00).  All Sunday games in July and August will start at 4:00 p.m.  The final home game of the 2012 regular season is August 31.

Headed this Way:  The team located one level below the Dragons in the Reds farm system is the Billings Mustangs, making it easy for Dragons fans to look ahead for future Dayton players.  Billings had a solid 2011 season, finishing the year with a record of 44-32.  They scored the second most runs in the Pioneer League and allowed the second fewest runs, nearly matching the Dragons fantastic feat of 2011 when Dayton scored the most runs in the league and allowed the fewest.  Billings led their league in home runs and slugging percentage and their pitchers allowed the fewest homers in the league. 

Local Talent:  Centerville High School product Dan Jensen will contend for a spot on the Dragons 2012 pitching staff.  The big 6’8” right-hander had a great year at Centerville as a senior in 2007, played one year at Sinclair Community College, and then spent three seasons at the University of Cincinnati.  He had an excellent senior season in the spring of 2011 at UC as the team’s top starting pitcher.  The Reds drafted Jensen in the 20th round last June and assigned him to Billings, where he pitched mostly out of the bullpen after logging 89.2 innings in the spring.  He went 1-2, 6.39 at Billings and will bring a fresh arm to spring training in March.   He will try to become the first native of the Dayton metro area to play for the Dragons.

Recent regional products with the Dragons included Cameron Satterwhite (Moeller High School in Cincinnati) and Tommy Nurre (St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati) in 2010.  Tyler Stovall (Moeller) played in Dayton in 2009.  In 2008, West Chester’s Matt Klinker (Lakota West High School) pitched for the Dragons.  Going back a bit further, Wright State’s Joe Powers, another Cincinnati native, played for the Dragons in 2002 and ’05.  Several other Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio natives have also played for the home team at Fifth Third Field.

For information on group outings for 2012, call the Dragons at (937) 228-2287.  To be added to the Dragons Wait List for season ticket opportunities, go to daytondragons.com or call (937) 228-2287.

January 4 2012

DRAGONS TO PLAY 2012 GAME IN MAJOR LEAGUE BALLPARK

DAYTON, OHIO – Dayton Dragons players will have the opportunity to play a Midwest League game in a major league ballpark in 2012.

The Dragons will battle the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, at 8:05 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, April 27, marking the first time in Dragons history that the team has played a game in a big league stadium.  The game is a Timber Rattlers home game and the finale of a three-game series.  The first two games of the set will be played in Appleton, Wisconsin.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for Dragons players,” said Dragons Executive Vice President & General Manager Gary Mayse.  “We express our thanks to the Milwaukee Brewers and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for making this possible.  Miller Park is one of the great ballparks of our generation and I am certain that every Dragons player will appreciate the entire experience of playing in a big league facility.”

Miller Park, home of the Brewers since 2001, features a retractable roof that allows the seating area to be heated 30 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.  The Timber Rattlers have played five previous games at Miller Park (2003-’04, 2009-’11).

“Anytime the players get to play on a big league field, that is a good experience,” said Dragons manager Delino DeShields.  DeShields played at Miller Park as a member of the Chicago Cubs in 2001 and ’02.  “It is a nice ballpark, all the amenities, and of course, the roof.  When you can get out of the elements on a night when the weather isn’t great, that’s a good thing.”

DeShields recalls his own opportunity to play in a big league ballpark as a minor league player in 1988 with the Rockford Expos in the Midwest League.  His team played one game at Comiskey Park, the home of the Chicago White Sox.  DeShields was 19 years old at the time.

“I remember getting the chance to meet my favorite player at that time, Ozzie Guillen,” says DeShields.  “I got my picture taken with him, and that was a thrill for me.” 

Tickets sales for the game will begin on Monday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).  Tickets can be purchased at brewers.com or by calling the Brewers Ticket Office at (800) 933-7890.  All tickets are $10.00.

December 15, 2011

2011 WAS A YEAR TO REMEMBER FOR DAYTON DRAGONS

DRAGONS SET ALL-TIME PROFESSIONAL SPORTS SELLOUT RECORD;

BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORD IN MIDWEST LEAGUE;

SELECTED AS “ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR” BY BALLPARK DIGEST

Dayton, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons enjoyed an historical year in 2011 that included national media attention, numerous awards, team records, and one tremendous milestone.

 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS VIDEO CLIPS OF STREAK CELEBRATION; HAMILTON’S 100TH STOLEN BASE; DRAGONS HOMETOWN HEROES.

The Dragons set the all-time professional sports sellout record during the 2011 season when they sold out their 815th consecutive game on July 9th. Every home game in the team’s 12-year history has been a sellout. The team finished the year with 844 consecutive sellouts.

Longest Sell-Outs Streaks in Professional Sports History

No.      Team                                      League                                               Years
844     Dayton Dragons                    Minor League Baseball                            2000-‘11
814     Portland Trail Blazers            National Basketball Association                1977-‘95
710     Boston Red Sox                    Major League Baseball                            2003-’11
662     Boston Celtics                      National Basketball Association               1980-‘95
610     Chicago Bulls                       National Basketball Association               1987-‘00

2011 Awards

Dragons President Robert Murphy was selected 2011 Midwest League Executive of the Year. 
 
Ballpark Digest named the Dragons as the 2011 Minor League Baseball “Organization of the Year.”  This annual award honors one organization for excellence in Minor League Baseball during the 2011 season.

The Dragons received the Midwest League’s 2011 John H. Johnson President's Award, honoring a "complete" baseball franchise that has demonstrated franchise stability and significant contributions to its community, its league, and to the baseball industry.
 
The Dragons completed the 2011 regular season with an attendance total for the year of 571,866. The Dragons have led all of Single-A baseball in attendance in each of their 12 seasons. Dayton averaged 8,288 per date over 69 home openings in 2011. 

For the 12th straight year, the Dragons also finished in the top-10 in all of Minor League Baseball in attendance as they surpassed the 7.1 million mark in 2011. The team enjoyed a 95 percent renewal rate of 2010 season ticket holders into the 2011 season.

On the Field in 2011

-The Dragons set a franchise record for victories in a season, going 83-57.
-The Dragons recorded the best regular season record in the Midwest League in 2011.
-The Dragons also posted the top second half record in all of Minor League Baseball with an all-time franchise-best 48-22 and earned their third division title in team history. 
-The Dragons led all of professional baseball in stolen bases and their top base stealer, Billy Hamilton, set a Reds organizational record with 103.  Hamilton was later named 2011 Cincinnati Reds Minor League Player of the Year.
-New manager Delino DeShields, a veteran of 13 years as a major league player and one of the top 50 base stealers in major league history, guided the team to the playoffs.
 
A Celebration for the Ages

On July 23, the Dragons held a celebration night to thank the loyal fans of Dayton for helping to break the all-time sports sellout record. Dragons’ owners Magic Johnson, Archie Griffin, Peter Guber, Bill Luby, Mandalay Baseball Properties CEO Art Matin, and Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner, were all on hand for the event. On that evening, the Dragons had former players Logan Ondrusek, Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey arrive by helicopter ? after the conclusion of their 4pm day game in Cincinnati ? and thank the fans from the field. The team also unveiled a retired “#1” jersey on the outfield wall, which is dedicated to the fans of the Dayton region.

Dragons Receive National Media Attention in 2011

The Dragons, Fifth Third Field, and the Dayton community received significant national media attention during the 2011 season. 

-The New York Times featured the Dragons’ sellout streak in a piece written by award-winning sportswriter George Vecsey.
-Team President Robert Murphy appeared with owner Magic Johnson on ESPN’s Outside The Lines on August 3rd to discuss the team’s sellout streak
-The Dragons were featured in multiple major publications including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Sports Illustrated. Over 250+ newspapers across the country and around the world carried coverage of the sellout streak from The Associated Press.
 
The coverage generated by the Dragons sellout streak reached all 50 states and several countries across the globe, totaling more than 315 million worldwide media impressions.

Other 2011 Highlights at Fifth Third Field:

High School Baseball: For the fifth consecutive season, the Dragons played host to high school baseball at Fifth Third Field.  In April and May, 44 area high school teams participated in 22 games. 

Bob Ross Classic: On July 16th, the 12th Annual Bob Ross Classic was played at Fifth Third Field.  The exhibition game showcased the best incoming high school seniors from 50 schools in the Miami Valley.

Cedarville Classic: On April 15th, the Dragons’ Fifth Third Field played host to the sixth annual Cedarville Classic. The proceeds from the game went to two different non-profit organizations. With the Dragons guidance, students from Cedarville University’s sport management program are responsible for all elements of the game including ticketing, operations, and in-game entertainment.

Hometown Heroes Celebration Nights: Two times during the 2011 baseball season, the Dragons partnered with the Dayton Development Coalition and their partners to pay tribute to all service men and women associated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard Base.  Festivities included a welcome home to servicemen returning from their deployment, a video greeting card from an airman serving oversees to his family back in the Dayton region, and swearing in ceremonies for a group of local Air Force recruits.

Home Run for Life: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dragons teamed up to provide five battling serious medical conditions with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities during Dragons games.  Each honoree got to take an honorary home run “lap” around the bases of Fifth Third Field during a game and receive an honorary bat from Dragons manager Delino DeShields.

Dragons MVP Program: For the sixth straight season, The Dragons MVP program provided students who were selected by their teachers the chance to be recognized for their achievements.  More than 850 classrooms and 25,000 students participated during the 2011 season.  Those children selected as Dragons MVPs received a customized certificate and complimentary tickets to enjoy a Dragons game at Fifth Third Field with their families.  At the game, they received a specially designed Dragons MVP ball cap.  MVPs also received tickets to the “MVP Field Day” at the stadium.   

Other Events:

-Dragons Youth Baseball Camp: June 28-29, July 27-28
-Great American Beer Tasting:  August 6
-Amateur Boxing at Fifth Third Field:  August 12
-Donatos Pizza Movie Night:  August 20
-Dragons 5K Fun Run:  August 25
 
The Dragons also expanded their 2011 television package from 15 to 25 games.  All telecasts were produced by the Dragons in-house crew and featured a collection of guest color commentators including former Reds Todd Benzinger, Eddie Milner, and Doug Bair as well as hall-of-fame writer Hal McCoy and many others.  Games were available to 300,000 households over the air (WHIO Digital Channel 7.2) and on cable (Time Warner Basic Cable Channel 23 and Digital Cable Channel 372).

The Dragons moved their radio broadcasts to WONE-AM 980, transmitting all 140 games over a wide area of southeast Ohio and eastern Indiana.  All games were also available worldwide over the internet, allowing fans of Dragons players everywhere to closely follow the team.

The Dragons introduced a Facebook fan page in 2011 that featured team videos, highlights, information, and photo galleries.

The Dragons concession stand program at Fifth Third Field in which volunteers from local school and youth organizations operate the stands and receive a percentage of proceeds, allowed the Dragons to give back over $300,000 to the community.  Over the Dragons’ 12 seasons, more than $3.6 million in concessions revenue has been given back to local non-profit organizations.  

Dayton Dragons 2011 Recap

-Final Record:  83-57 (1st in the Midwest League; third division title in club history)
-First Half:  35-35 (4th in Eastern Division)
-Second Half:  48-22 (1st in Eastern Division)
-Playoffs:  Lost to Lansing, two games to one, in Midwest League quarterfinals
-Final Attendance:  571,866
-Per Game Attendance Average:  8,288

2011 Midwest League All-Star Game Participants: 
Josh Smith, Pitcher
Daniel Corcino, Pitcher
Dominic D’Anna, First Baseman

2011 Dragons Award Winners

-Billy Hamilton     Cincinnati Reds Minor League Player of the Year; MWL Full-Season All-Star shortstop
-Josh Smith                             Cincinnati Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Year
-Drew Hayes  MWL Full-Season All-Star right-handed relief pitcher; Cincinnati Reds Minor League Community Service Award winner
-Tucker Barnhart                     Catcher on Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove team
-Daniel Renken                       MWL Pitcher of the Week, June 27-July 3
-Daniel Corcino                      MWL Pitcher of the Week, August 15-21
-Donald Lutz                         MWL Batter of the Week, August 29-September 5

2011 Dragons Team Leaders

Batting
-Batting Average:                                           Donald Lutz, .301
-Home Runs:                                                  Donald Lutz, David Vidal 20
-Runs Batted In:                                             David Vidal, 85
-Stolen Bases:                                                Billy Hamilton, 103
-Games Played:                                              Billy Hamilton, 135

Pitching

Victories:                                                        Josh Smith, 14
-Earned Run Average (qualifiers):                        Josh Smith, 2.97
-Saves:                                                           Drew Hayes, 22
-Games Pitched:                                               Drew Hayes, 51
-Innings Pitched:                                              Josh Smith, 142.1

Dragons Leading all of Professional Baseball

Stolen Bases:                                    Billy Hamilton, 103 (most since 2001)

Dragons 2011 Midwest League Leaders

-Stolen Bases:                                    Billy Hamilton, 103
-Runs Scored:                                     Billy Hamilton, 99
-At-Bats:                                           Billy Hamilton, 550
-Doubles:                                           David Vidal, 37          
-Wins:                                               Josh Smith, 14
-Saves:                                              Drew Hayes, 22
-Strikeouts:                                        Josh Smith, 166
-Games Played:                                   Billy Hamilton, 135 (tied for first)
-Fielding Percentage (3B):                    David Vidal, .965
-Fielding Percentage (C):                     Tucker Barnhart, .998
-Caught Stealing Pct., (C):                   Tucker Barnhart, 47 percent

Notable Dragons Individual Performances

· Billy Hamilton had 103 stolen bases to lead all of professional baseball. The last Minor League player to steal 100 bases in a season was Chris Morris of Peoria in 2001 when he set the Midwest League record with 111.  Hamilton broke the Reds organizational record of 98 by Ramon Sambo of Cedar Rapids in 1988.
· Donald Lutz became the first Dragons player to hit for the cycle when he recorded a home run, triple, double, and single in his first four at-bats on July 21 vs. Peoria.
· Daniel Renken tied a league record by striking out 10 consecutive batters vs. Lansing on June 20.  In the same game, Lutz struck out 14 batters to tie the Dragons club record.

Donald Lutz hit .301 with 20 home runs.  Only one other player in Dragons history had ever hit .290 or higher with at least 20 home runs (Austin Kearns, 2000).
 
Lutz tied a club record with three multi-homer games.  The most dramatic came on August 30 vs. West Michigan when he tied the game with a home run in the eighth inning and ended the game with a homer in the 10th.
 
Ronald Torreyes tied a club record with five hits in a game on July 21 vs. Peoria.  On July 20, Torreyes had four hits, giving him nine hits over two games.
 
Daniel Wolford went 22 consecutive games without allowing a run.  He allowed a run on June 9 and pitched shutout baseball over the next 34.1 innings before giving up a run on August 31.
 

Notable Dragons Team Performances

The Dragons full-season record of 83-57 was the best in the Midwest League. 
 
The Dragons’ 48-22 second half record was the best in the minors among the seven full-season leagues (80 teams) that play a split-season.
 
Dayton held at least a share of first place for the last 68 days of the season (since June 29). They were in first place for all but four days of the second half.
 
The Dragons were the only team in Minor League Baseball in 2011 to lead their league in batting average and earned run average.  The Dragons are the first MWL team to lead the league in batting average and ERA since Quad City in 1995. 
 
Dayton was one of two teams in the minors in 2011 to lead its league in runs scored and fewest runs allowed (San Antonio).  The Dragons become just the second Midwest League team in the last 42 years to earn this accomplishment. 
 

Midwest League Records Set

Dragons pitchers broke the all-time Midwest League record for single-season strikeouts with 1,292 (1,274 by Wisconsin, 1998).

Dragons Club Records Set
-Most Wins in a Season (83, 82 in 2001).
-Most Wins in a Half (48, 44 in the first half of 2007).
-Most Wins in a Month (22-8 in August, 20 wins in June, 2002).
-Most Road Wins in a Season (38, 36 in 2001 and 2002).
-Most Shutout victories (14, 13 in 2001).
-Most Stolen Bases in a Season (228—most in all of professional baseball, 151 in 2002); Best Team -ERA (3.39, 3.41 in 2007).
-Most Strikeouts by Pitchers, Season (see above).
 
Former Dragons to Reach the Major Leagues in 2011 (52 total since 2000)
-Jeremy Horst, Pitcher, Reds
-Devin Mesoraco, Catcher, Reds
-Todd Frazier, Infielder, Reds
-Zack Cozart, Infielder, Reds
-Dave Sappelt, Outfielder, Reds
-Zach Stewart, Pitcher, Blue Jays 

December 8, 2011

DRAGONS PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES ON FIELD RECONSTRUCTION
 
DAYTON, OHIO—The Dayton Dragons are completing the process of reconstructing the playing surface, drainage, and irrigation system at Fifth Third Field.  The project will result in improved playability and aesthetics and faster drainage of excess water.

Approximately 100,000 square feet of Kentucky Bluegrass has been installed.  On Wednesday, December 7, the entire infield was installed following the installation of the outfield turf in November.  The effort represents the first complete field reconstruction since the ballpark was built prior to the 2000 season.

The Dragons have also purchased six tons of a clay-based material that will be utilized to rebuild the pitcher’s mound.  This part of the project has not yet been completed.

The Dragons open the 2012 season, their 13th in the Midwest League, on April 5 at Fifth Third Field against the West Michigan Whitecaps.

CLICK HERE  to see more photos of the field reconstruction.

December 5, 2011

DRAGONS JOSH SMITH IS PITCHER OF THE YEAR

DAYTON, OH —Dayton Dragons 2011 shortstop Billy Hamilton has been selected as the recipient of the Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award as the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Player of the Year.  The award was one of several announced by the Reds at RedsFest over the weekend.

Three of the four minor league awards given by the Reds went to 2011 Dragons players.  Dragons starting pitcher Josh Smith was selected as the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year.  Outfielder Denis Phipps, a 2007-’08 Dragons player who split the 2011 season between Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Louisville, was chosen as Reds Minor League Batter of the Year.  2011 Dragons relief pitcher Drew Hayes was given the Reds Minor League Community Service Award.

The Reds also announced three major league awards.  Former Dragon Joey Votto was given the Ernie Lombardi Award as the Reds Most Valuable Player.  Former Dragon Johnny Cueto won the Johnny Vander Meer Award as the Reds Most Outstanding Pitcher.  Bronson Arroyo was given the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award.

In all, six of the seven Reds award winners were players who spent one or more seasons with the Dragons.

Hamilton becomes only the second player in Dragons history to win the Reds Minor League Player of the Year award for the season in which he played in Dayton.  Austin Kearns won the award in 2000 after starring for the Dragons during their inaugural season in Dayton.  Of the 12 winners of the award since it was initiated in 2000, 10 played for the Dragons at some point of their careers.

Hamilton set an all-time Reds organizational record with the Dragons in 2011 when he stole 103 bases to lead all of professional baseball.  Hamilton scored 99 runs to lead all Reds minor league players, while his 153 base hits ranked third in the organization.  He batted .278 for the year and drove in 50 runs as the Dragons lead-off hitter.  He improved steadily over the course of the season, batting .318 in the second half.  He hit .331 for the year with men in scoring position, and an amazing .398 with men on base and two outs.  Hamilton was selected as the shortstop on the Midwest League’s full-season all-star team.

Hamilton’s biggest impact on the Dragons resulted from the energy he brought to every game with his intense style of play and unmatched base running abilities.  He broke the Dragons club record for single-season stolen bases before the end of May and became the first minor league or major league player to reach the 100-steal mark since 2001.  Hamilton ignited a Dragons offense that led the league in runs scored on the way to a franchise best-ever record of 83-57. 

Josh Smith anchored a Dragons starting pitching rotation as he led the league in both victories and strikeouts.  His 14 wins were one short of the Dragons club record while he established a new club milestone with 166 strikeouts.  Smith was selected as the starting pitcher for the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star Game.  He finished at 14-7 with a 2.97 earned run average.  Smith became the second straight Dragons hurler to win the organization’s Pitcher of the Year honor.  Reliever Donnie Joseph won the award in 2010.

Phipps, who spent two full seasons with the Dragons in 2007-’08 and ranks second in Dragons history in career games played and career base hits, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2011, batting a combined .346 with 12 home runs and 64 runs batted in with Carolina and Louisville. 

Hayes was rewarded with the Reds Community Service Award for his countless hours spent visiting Dayton-area schools and youth organizations.  Hayes was highly-involved in the Dragons school MVP program.  On the field, Hayes was selected to the league’s full-season all-star team as the circuit’s top right-handed reliever, posting a league-leading 22 saves to go along with an earned run average of 1.35.

Previous former Dragons who have won the Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award include Devin Mesoraco (2010); Chris Heisey (2009); Chris Valaika (2008); Jay Bruce (2007); Homer Bailey (2006); Chris Denorfia (2005); Stephen Smitherman (2003); Adam Dunn (2001); and Austin Kearns (2000).

The Dragons will open their 13th season in the Midwest League on April 5, 2012 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.

DRAGONS ANNOUNCE 2012 COACHING STAFF

REDS HALL-OF-FAMER TOM BROWNING JOINS DESHIELDS, PELAEZ

DAYTON, OH —The Dayton Dragons announced their 2012 coaching staff today, as assigned by the Cincinnati Reds.

Manager Delino DeShields, who guided the Dragons to a franchise-record 83 victories in 2011, will return for his second season in Dayton.  Hitting coach Alex Pelaez, who helped the offense to a franchise record highest team batting average of .264 in 2011, also returns for his second season.  Tom Browning, a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall-of-Fame, will join the Dragons as pitching coach.  Tyler Steele will return for his fourth season as athletic trainer. 

DeShields led the Dragons to a record of 83-57 and a second half Eastern Division title in 2011.  The Dragons improved dramatically over the course of the season, finishing the first half at 35-35 before posting a 48-32 record in the second half.  Their second half mark was the best in a half in Dragons history and the top second half record in 2011 in all of Minor League Baseball among teams playing a split-season format.  DeShields will enter his fourth season in the Reds organization in 2012.  He served as manager of the Billings Mustangs in 2010 and was the hitting coach at Billings in 2009.

As a player, DeShields spent 13 years in the Major Leagues with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs.  He finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting with the Expos in 1990.  His best season came in 1997 with the Cardinals when he batted .295 with 11 home runs, 55 stolen bases, and a league-leading 14 triples.  DeShields finished in the top three in the league in stolen bases six times during his career (10 times in the top eight) and ranks among the top 50 all-time in career stolen bases with 463.  He batted .290 or higher in five different seasons of his big league career.

Pelaez joined the Dragons in 2011 and contributed to an offense that led the Midwest League in team batting average and runs scored.  He was instrumental in the improvement of Dragons all-star shortstop Billy Hamilton, who batted .318 in the second half after finishing the first half at .233.  First baseman Donald Lutz also emerged as a force in the lineup, batting .340 with 11 home runs and 45 runs batted in during the second half and finishing as only the second player in Dragons history to hit .300 or higher with at least 20 home runs.  Dragons second baseman Ronald Torreyes hit .356 under Pelaez’s tutelage in 2011 while third baseman David Vidal hit .280 with 20 home runs.

Browning is a legendary name in Reds history.  Best known for firing a perfect game vs. the Dodgers on September 16, 1988, Browning spent 12 years in the major leagues from 1984-‘95, with 300 of his 302 career appearances coming with the Reds.  His best season came in 1985 when he posted a record of 20-9 to become the first rookie in 31 years to win 20 games.  In 1988, Browning went 18-5 for the Reds, finishing second in the National League in winning percentage.  He was the starting and winning pitcher for the Reds in game three of the 1990 World Series against the Oakland A’s, helping the Reds to a four-game sweep.  That same post-season, he had also started and won game two of the N.L. Championship Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Browning represented the Reds in the 1991 all-star game.  His 298 starts with the Reds are the most for any Cincinnati pitcher over the last 70 years and fourth most in club history.  He was elected to the Reds hall-of-fame in 2006.

Browning finished his career with 123 victories and won at least 14 games six times in a seven-year period from 1985-’91, but he is remembered above all else for the only perfect game in Reds history when he retired all 27 Dodgers he faced in a 1-0 win.  At the time, it was only the third perfect game of at least nine innings in modern National League history.  No Reds pitcher has thrown a no-hitter since that night, 23 years ago. 

Browning, like former Dragons manager Todd Benzinger, also played a role in one of the most unique games in baseball history.  On August 3, 1989, Browning batted twice in the Reds 14-run first inning against Houston.  He delivered the final hit of the inning, one of 16 hits in the frame for the Reds, the most for a big league club in an inning since 1900.

The 2012 season will be Browning’s sixth as a pitching coach in the Reds organization.  He has served as pitching coach with the Arizona League Reds in Goodyear, Arizona over the last two seasons.

Browning replaces Tony Fossas as Dragons pitching coach.  Fossas will serve as pitching coach with the Reds Rookie-level affiliate, the Billings Mustangs, in 2012 after spending three seasons in Dayton.  The 2011 Dragons staff established a club record with a 3.39 team earned run average.

The Dragons will open their 13th season in the Midwest League on April 5, 2012 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.

November 18, 2011

SIX FORMER DRAGONS ADDED TO REDS 40-MAN ROSTER

DAYTON, OH —The Cincinnati Reds today filled out the remaining vacancies on their 40-man roster by adding six players to the roster.  All six are former Dragons. 

Shortstop Didi Gregorius (2010 Dragons), first baseman Donald Lutz (2011 Dragons), second baseman Henry Rodriguez (2010 Dragons), first baseman Neftali Soto (2008 Dragons), and pitchers Kyle Lotzkar (2008, 2011 Dragons) and Pedro Villarreal (2010 Dragons) have been added to the Reds roster, protecting them from being selected by another team in the upcoming Rule V Draft.  Twenty-six (26) of the 40 players currently on the Reds roster have played for the Dragons (up from 20 prior to the 2010 Rule V Draft).

With 26 former Dragons on the Reds roster, the number of Reds players who played in Dayton continues to rise.  Entering spring training in 2009, there were 15 former Dragons on the Reds 40-man roster.  The Reds went to spring training in 2010 with 19 former Dragons on the roster, and as mentioned, there were 20 entering spring training in 2011.  In the Dragons 12-year history, 52 Dragons players have reached the Major Leagues, and 19 Major League players have played for the Dragons on injury rehabilitation assignments.

Lutz and Lotzkar were key members of this season’s Dragons club that set a club record for victories while going 83-57 over the 2011 season.  Lutz became just the second player in Dragons history to hit at least .300 and belt at least 20 home runs, joining Austin Kearns.  Lutz finished at .301 with 20 homers and 75 runs batted in.  Lotzkar made 14 starts for the Dragons this season, going 3-2 with a 4.32 earned run average.

Gregorius was the Dragons starting shortstop in 2010 when he appeared in 120 games and batted .273.  He split the 2011 season between Single-A Bakersfield (.303) and Double-A Carolina (.270). 

Rodriguez joined Gregorius as the other half of the Dragons double play combination in 2010, batting .307 with 14 home runs and 78 RBI.  Like Gregorius, he split the 2011 season between Bakersfield (.340, 8 HR) and Carolina (.302, 5 HR).

Soto spent the second half of the 2008 season with the Dragons and his arrival keyed the club’s climb to the playoffs.  With Dayton that season, Soto hit .326 with seven home runs in 52 games.  This season, Soto blasted 30 home runs with Carolina while batting .272.

Villarreal spent most of 2010 with the Dragons, serving as a starting pitcher throughout the first half and then moving to the bullpen.  He posted a record of 4-7 with a 3.84 ERA.  In 2011, Villarreal started the season with Bakersfield (4-3, 4.34 ERA in 10 starts) and then moved to Carolina (7-4, 4.42 ERA in 17 starts).

Other players currently on the Reds roster who played for the Dragons include catchers Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco; infielders Joey Votto, Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, Paul Janish, Juan Francisco, and Chris Valaika; outfielders Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, and Dave Sappelt; and pitchers Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Travis Wood, Logan Ondrusek, Carlos Fisher, Jordan Smith, and Jeremy Horst.  Additionally, pitcher Edinson Volquez played for the Dragons after reaching the Major Leagues.

The Rule V Draft from Jamie Ramsey, Cincinnati Reds Assistant Director of Media Relations:

RULE 5 DRAFT: All 30 Major League Baseball teams today will file their reserve lists for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, scheduled for December 8 during the Winter Meetings in Dallas…any player eligible for the Rule 5 Draft who is not protected on a Major League 40-man roster may be selected by another team…eligibility for the draft depends on the player’s age during the signing season of his first contract…generally, players who sign at age 19 or older are under a club’s control for 4 seasons, while players who sign at age 18 or younger are under a club’s control for 5 seasons…after the rosters are submitted, no team can promote a minor league player to its 40-man roster until after the Rule 5 Draft, though teams can remove players from their rosters to make room for a Rule 5 Draft selection.

The Dragons will open their 13th season in the Midwest League on April 5, 2012 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.

November 16, 2011

FORMER DRAGONS FILL BASEBALL AMERICA’S REDS TOP-10 PROSPECT LIST

DAYTON, OH —Two members of the 2011 Dayton Dragons are included on the list of top-10 prospects in the Cincinnati Reds organization, as announced today by Baseball’s America, the trade publication for Minor League Baseball. 

Catcher Devin Mesoraco, who spent the 2008 season with the Dragons and reached the major leagues with the Reds in 2011, is rated as the # 1 Reds prospect by Baseball America. 

Dragons 2011 shortstop Billy Hamilton is rated # 2 while ’11 Dragons starting pitcher Daniel Corcino is listed at # 6.  Other former Dragons on the list include shortstop Zack Cozart at # 5, shortstop Didi Gregorius at # 8, and third baseman/outfielder Todd Frazier at # 9. 

Here is the complete list from Baseball America:
1) Devin Mesoraco, catcher
2) Billy Hamilton, shortstop
3) Yonder Alonso, first baseman/outfielder
4) Yasmani Grandal, catcher
5) Zack Cozart, shortstop
6) Daniel Corcino, right-handed pitcher
7) Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher
8) Didi Gregorius, shortstop
9) Todd Frazier, third baseman/outfielder
10) Brad Boxberger, right-handed pitcher

Hamilton set an all-time Reds organizational record with the Dragons this season by stealing 103 bases.  He was selected as the # 2 prospect in the Midwest League by Baseball America and was also named as the shortstop on the league’s full-season all-star team based on a vote by league managers.  Hamilton batted .278 with the Dragons and led the league in both hits and runs scored.  Hamilton was only 20 years old for the entire ’11 season.  This marks the second straight season that Hamilton has been rated as the Reds # 2 prospect.  A year ago, he was second on the list to left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who spent most of 2011 with the Reds.

Corcino, the highest-rated pitcher on the list, also spent the entire 2011 season with the Dragons.  He was the youngest of the Dragons’ outstanding starting pitchers, turning 21 the final week of the regular season.  Corcino went 11-7 for the Dragons and his 156 strikeouts would have broken the club record if not for the fact that his 2011 Dragons teammate, Josh Smith, struck out 166.  Corcino has been compared to Reds ace Johnny Cueto, a 2006 Dragon, due to their similar physical builds and Corcino’s 94-96 mph fastball.  Corcino was rated as the # 15 prospect in the Reds system after the 2010 season.

Mesoraco was the Reds first round draft pick in 2007.  He spent his first full season in professional baseball with the Dragons in ‘08, batting .261 with nine home runs as one of the league’s youngest position players.  Mesoraco spent most of 2011 with class AAA Louisville, batting .289 with 15 home runs.  He also appeared in 18 games with the Reds.

Cozart, like Mesoraco, spent the 2008 season with the Dragons on a team that reached the Midwest League playoffs.  Cozart hit .280 with 14 home runs in Dayton.  This season, he hit .310 in 77 games with Louisville before receiving a promotion to the Reds.  Cozart played well in Cincinnati, batting .324 with two homers in just 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Gregorius, the Dragons shortstop in 2010, made a big climb up the list.  He was rated as the Reds # 19 prospect prior to this season and moves up to # 8.  Gregorius hit .273 with the Dragons in ’10, contributing 16 doubles, 11 triples, and five home runs.  Gregorius split the 2011 season between Single-A Bakersfield (.303) and Double-A Carolina (.270).  His is an athletic shortstop with excellent arm strength.

Frazier spent parts of 2007 and ’08 with Dragons, hitting a combined .321 with nine homers in 36 games.  In 2011, he split the season between Louisville and Cincinnati.  With the Reds, Frazier connected on six homers in just 41 games after hitting 15 home runs in 90 games in Triple-A.

Reds # 1 Prospects over the last decade by season from Baseball America (listed with the upcoming season):

* indicates player played for Dragons

2012:  *Devin Mescoraco, catcher
2011:  Aroldis Chapman, left-handed pitcher
2010:  *Todd Frazier, third baseman/outfielder
2009:  Yonder Alonso, first baseman
2008:  *Jay Bruce, outfielder
2007:  *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher
2006:  *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher
2005:  *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher
2004:  Ryan Wagner, right-handed pitcher
2003:  *Chris Gruler, right-handed pitcher
2002:  *Austin Kearns, outfielder 

October 26, 2011

DRAGONS DREW HAYES SELECTED AS SINGLE-A BASEBALL’S TOP RELIEF PITCHER IN 2011

DAYTON, OH —Drew Hayes, an all-star relief pitcher for the Dayton Dragons in 2011, has been selected as the top relief pitcher this season in Class-A baseball, as announced today by Minor League Baseball.

Hayes appeared in 51 games for the Dragons and posted a league-leading 22 saves with an earned run average of 1.35 and a 2-2 record.  Hayes spent the entire 140-game season with the Dragons and allowed just nine runs over the course of the year.  In 60 innings, he allowed only 29 base hits, limiting opposing batters to a combined average of .141.  Hayes struck out 89 batters in those 60 innings, walking 27.

Hayes was selected as the right-handed relief pitcher on the Midwest League’s full-season all-star team.  He was a key factor in the Dragons establishing a club record for victories in a season, going 83-57.  The Dragons were 48-22 in the second half while winning the Eastern Division title by nine games.

Meanwhile, Dragons 2011 pitcher Josh Smith was selected in a fans vote as the top starting pitcher in Class-A baseball.  Smith led the Midwest League in wins and strikeouts in 2011, going 14-7 with a 2.97 ERA.  He broke the Dragons club record for single-season strikeouts with 166 in 142.1 innings.  The voting process was conducted through Minor League Baseball’s website, MiLB.com.

Danny Wild of mlb.com wrote about Drew Hayes’ season in a story at daytondragons.com and minorleaguebaseball.com.  Here is Wild’s article:

 
Dragons’ Stopper Dominates Late

Reds Right-Hander Earns MiLBY Award as Top Class-A Reliever

Drew Hayes' dominant season didn't end the way he wanted it to, but, as they say in baseball, a good closer needs to have a short memory.

Hayes, a Reds prospect out of Vanderbilt, finished a solid season with Class A Dayton with 22 saves and a 1.35 ERA over 51 regular season outings in the Midwest League, good enough to earn the MiLBY Award as Class A Full Season Reliever of the Year.  He struck out 89 batters in 60 innings, allowed just two longballs and held batters to a .141 average.

Those numbers make his final pitch all the more remarkable. In what would be his final appearance of the season, Hayes came on to pitch the ninth inning and protect the Dragons' 2-1 lead in Game 2 of the Midwest League's semifinals playoff series at Lansing on Sept. 9. A leadoff single and a strikeout brought up third baseman Matt Nuzzo, who launched a walk-off two-run homer down the line in right (Lansing went on to win the series in Game 3). It was the No. 8 hitter's fifth homer of 2011.

And, though that will remain in Hayes' mind for a while this winter, it shouldn't take away from the progress he made in his first full season of professional baseball. Hayes, Bowling Green's Chris Rearick and Delmarva's David Walters were the only Class A pitchers to record more than 20 saves in 2011.

Hayes' 22 saves, in fact, led all Reds Minor Leaguers, and his ERA, had he qualified with enough innings, would have led the system as well.

"I think Drew's numbers speak for themselves," said Jeff Graupe of the Reds' player development department.

"He showed a plus fastball, a plus slider and he was great in late inning situations."

The McKenzie, Tenn., native was the Reds' 11th-round pick in the 2010 Draft after three seasons with Vandy -- he went 6-0 with a 3.91 ERA in 24 outings in his final college season. He was drafted twice previously, in the 29th round by Arizona in 2006 and in the 22nd round by Seattle in '09, but he opted not to sign both times. A successful stint with Yarmouth-Dennis in the Cape Cod League, an elite college summer circuit, helped further raise his Draft stock in 2009.

That all came after the 6-foot-1 right-hander authored one of the best high school football careers in Tennessee history. Aside from playing baseball and basketball at McKenzie High School, Hayes became the starting varsity quarterback as a freshman and went on to throw for over 9,000 passing yards, the second-most in the history of Tennessee high school football.

He stuck with baseball and debuted in 2010 with short-season Billings, where he went 1-3 with a 2.42 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings, earning a promotion this spring to Dayton

The righty got a handful of save opportunities in late April but didn't fully assume the closer's role until June. He converted 14 straight save opportunities from April 21-July 9 and picked up his first win July 14.

Hayes' only blown save of the regular season came on July 15, when he allowed a longball in a loss to Quad Cities. He went on nail down eight more saves following the loss, earning another win on Aug. 30.

"He took over the closer job for that team, and between him and Blaine Howell and Daniel Wolford, they had power arms that allowed them to shorten games," Graupe said.

Hayes was especially stingy at home, owning a 0.55 ERA in 32 2/3 innings over 27 outings at Fifth Third Field.

The 24-year-old's best month was June, when he struck out 22 batters, allowed only two hits and held opponents scoreless in 11 appearances.

What does 2012 hold? The Class A Advanced California League is a notorious hitter-friendly circuit, so whether the Reds send Hayes to Bakersfield or Double-A Pensacola, he'll have plenty more opportunities to put the end of 2011 into history. 

October 12, 2011

DRAGONS BEGIN RECONSTRUCTION OF PLAYING SURFACE AT FIFTH THIRD FIELD
 
DAYTON, OHIO—The Dayton Dragons have begun the reconstruction of the playing surface at Fifth Third Field, a month-long project that will result in improved drainage, playability, and aesthetics.

The project will include the removal and reinstallation of the sod and root zone (sand base) of the entire playing surface of the ballpark.  Approximately 100,000 square feet of Kentucky Bluegrass will be installed.  The effort represents the first complete field reconstruction since the ballpark was built prior to the 2000 season.

“This project is a major undertaking,” said Gary Mayse, Dragons Executive Vice President & General Manager.  “We completed a large amount of research and developed a plan that will be overseen by our Head Groundskeeper, Dan Jennings and Director of Operations, Andrew Ottmar.  The new field will look aesthetically better, the playing conditions of the field will improve, and the field will also have improved drainage capacity.  We are looking forward to seeing the new field in place by the end of the month.”

The new sod will arrive in large rolls, cut and ready to install.  The Dragons have also purchased six tons of a clay-based material that will be utilized to rebuild the pitcher’s mound.