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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
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Sea Dogs pitcher sees development without his best command
Jun. 5—Connelly Early has been the ace of the Portland Sea Dogs pitching staff throughout the first two months of the season. Following Thursday's matinee against the Hartford Yard Goats, the 6-foot-3 lefty is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA and averages more than 13 strikeouts per nine innings. While Early didn't factor in the decision Thursday (Portland lost 8-6 in 11 innings) and didn't have his best stuff, he sees it as an important part of his development. Advertisement "There's some frustrating things out there, but I feel like there's a lot of unfortunate things that happened. I thought I did a good job just being able to compete in the zone and keep my team in it," said Early, who pitched five innings, allowing two runs and nine hits while striking out three and walking a pair. "Obviously, I'm not super happy with that one, but it's part of the swing of how the season is going to go. It's not going to be perfect every time." Early left the game with a 3-2 lead. Four of the hits he surrendered didn't leave the infield, coming on slow rollers and a bunt single. Off-speed pitches have been an important piece in Early's arsenal this season, but he struggled with his command Thursday. "I think he got hurt (because) his off-speed just wasn't getting down enough. It was up in the zone where they were fouling off a lot of pitches," Portland manager Chad Epperson said. "They were just able to stay alive and make him throw some extra pitches. In previous outings, he was able to get it down and they were swinging over the top of it." The third inning illustrated Early's day. The No. 9 prospect in the Red Sox system according to MLB Pipeline, Early gave up infield singles to Cole Carrigg and Jose Torres, then hit Nic Kent to load the bases with nobody out. Juan Guerrero gave Hartford a 2-1 lead with a sacrifice fly, then Early got a double play grounder to end the inning. Advertisement "It's kind of part of the 'Red Sox Way.' We like to fill the zone with off-speed. I'm just going out there and challenging them with off-speed," Early said. "Kudos to them, they were able to get gritty in some (at-bats) and put some swings on the ball and just put the ball in play." INFIELDER MIKEY ROMERO was placed on the seven-day injured list Thursday because of what Epperson called minor right elbow irritation. "We want to get ahead of it. Nothing major. It's just something we're not going to push through so it's going to linger the rest of the year," Epperson said. Boston's first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Romero has typically been Portland's leadoff hitter. He has a .246 average and .335 on-base percentage, with five home runs, 18 RBI and 26 runs. Advertisement Romero has played shortstop and third base. Red Sox director of player development said Romero could see more time at third after the promotion of Blaze Jordan to Triple-A Worcester. SPEAKING OF JORDAN, the former Sea Dogs corner infielder earned a final Double-A honor, being named Eastern League Player of the Month for May. Jordan hit .390 with 32 hits, 24 RBI, six home runs and 10 multi-hit games. That torrid month earned Jordan a promotion to Worcester. Epperson gave Jordan the good news after Sunday's game at Altoona. "The place went nuts," Epperson said of the team's joyous reaction. "You saw in spring training, he had this look, I'm not going to be forgotten about, guys. I've had him for parts of three seasons, and the growth he's had on both sides of the ball, but especially defense. He's put himself as an above-average first baseman. He was a big-time presence in the middle of our lineup from Day 1. I can't be happier for him." Advertisement Jordan has been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression, in the hopes it can help other people going through the same things. He made an impressive debut in Worcester, going 3 for 8 in his first two games with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and four runs. THANKS TO THE ghost-runner to start extra innings, a rarity took place in Thursday's game: a 1-2-3 inning with just two batters. With the score tied 5-5 in the top of the 10th, Hartford's Guerrero started the inning as the runner on second base. He advanced to third on Jose Cordova's flyout to right, then was picked off third by Portland catcher Ronald Rosario. Braiden Ward's groundout ended the inning. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Farm Report: Which Double-A Portland players could make their way to Triple-A Worcester this year?
PORTLAND, Maine — The Password is walk-off. Times two. Over the weekend, Portland Sea Dogs slugger Jhostynxon Garcia secured not just one — but two game-winning hits to lift his team to a pair of back-to-back, walk-off victories at Hadlock Field. Advertisement Double the pleasure, double the fun for the Red Sox prospect who calls Double-A Portland home, and who coaches, fans and teammates call 'The Password.' 'It's a good one. It's cool to see it kind of take on a life of its own, and (Garcia has) embraced it as well,' Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham said. 'He's got T-shirts. I'm sure there are probably plenty of Red Sox fans who use his name as a password. 'You don't get nicknames if you're bad,' Abraham added. 'To see him earn the right to get a cool nickname is pretty sweet.' Portland Sea Dogs slugger Jhostynxon Garcia celebrates a walk-off hit during a Double-A game at Hadlock Field on May 10, 2025. With Triple-A Worcester on the road for two weeks, the T&G traveled to Maine to check out some of the organization's top prospects in Double A who may call Polar Park home soon. Advertisement Let's take a look at some of Portland's top players: Portland pitcher Connelly Early sits inside the Sea Dogs dugout during a game earlier this season. Connelly Early A left-handed pitcher taken by Boston in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Connelly Early hasn't wasted any time rising through the Red Sox ranks. After starting in 16 games for Class-A Salem (2023-24) and being called up to Double-A Portland at the end of last season for eight starts, Early added strength and weight to his 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame in the offseason. The 23-year-old also added velocity to his fastball — that hit 97 mph in spring training but sits in the mid-to-low 90s — to pair with a quality changeup and evolving sweeper. He is currently listed as the Red Sox' No. 9 prospect, according to 'He embodies a lot of what we're trying to do on the development side and pitching side,' Abraham said. 'You're looking at a really exciting left-handed pitching prospect (and) they don't grow on trees, so we're really lucky to have that.' Advertisement In 2022, Early was named the Patriot League Pitcher of the Year while at West Point. The lefty then transferred to the University of Virginia, where he recorded 12 wins and took home Most Outstanding Player honors at the Charlottesville Regional in 2023. Portland Sea Dogs left-hander Connelly Early throws a pitch during a Double-A game earlier this season. After splitting time between Salem and Portland last year, Early has impressed in his five outings (just two starts as poor weather has played a factor) with the Sea Dogs. He has a 2.41 ERA with 30 strikeouts and nine walks in 18⅔ innings. 'The confidence this young man takes out with him to the mound, he knows he's good, and you know he's winning the race to strike one,' Portland manager Chad Epperson said. 'He feels very comfortable to get a quick (at-bat from opposing hitters), and I think he's done that early on, and as long as he continues to get ahead of hitters, he stands a pretty damn good chance to win that battle.' Jhostynxon Garcia The player coined 'The Password' — because his first name is hard to spell — has been a fail-safe for the Sea Dogs this spring. Advertisement Garcia, who played 30 games for Portland last year, is hitting .286 with 2 home runs, 15 RBIs and 18 walks to go along with 23 strikeouts in 28 games this season. Add that with added weight, range in the outfield and bat speed, while learning English, and the Venezuelan-born Garcia has gained plenty of fanfare. Portland Sea Dogs slugger Jhostynxon Garcia (second from right) celebrates a walk-off hit with teammates following a Double-A game at Hadlock Field on May 10, 2025. 'He's developed a lot the past year plus,' Abraham said. 'He's really just become a complete player. He's a good example to show what hard work and dedication and trust in the program does for you.' Boston signed Garcia for $350,000 in 2019, and although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his debut with the organization, and he struggled in his first two seasons of pro ball, Garcia broke through last year. The right-handed hitter (and thrower from the outfield) slashed .286/.356/.536 with 23 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 107 games between Class A (Greenville, Salem) and Double A. Portland Sea Dogs player Jhostynxon Garcia gets doused with water from a cooler following his second straight game with a walk-off hit on May 11, 2025 at Hadlock Field. Now he's one of the best power bats in the farm system — ranked the Red Sox' fifth-best prospect by — that has earned a spot on Boston's 40-man roster. Advertisement 'All of the sudden you're looking at a five-tool player who can eventually make an impact in Boston in a few years for a long time,' Abraham said. Mikey Romero Facing a few curveballs on and off the field the past few years, Mikey Romero is currently finding his stride with the Sea Dogs. Selected No. 24 overall by the Red Sox in the 2022 MLB Draft, Romero dealt with back issues during his first two seasons of pro ball — and the loss of his father — before returning to full health in 2024 and working his way up to Double A. 'He's in such a good spot,' Epperson said. 'This is like the first spring training that I think he came into healthy. ... This is a really good player. He's a competitor that comes and wants to get better and wants to win ball games.' Shortstop Mikey Romero makes a throw during a Portland Sea Dogs game earlier this season. A shortstop by trade, Romero has added weight to his 6-foot, 175-pound frame while cutting down on his chase rate at the plate and adding second and third base to his fielding repertoire. Advertisement The 21-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing .280/.368/.898 with 5 homers, 14 RBIs and 21 runs in 100 at-bats for Portland. He's listed as Boston's No. 11 prospect, according to Portland Sea Dogs player Mikey Romero looks on from Hadlock Field during a game earlier this year. 'He's done a lot of growing up,' Abraham said. 'I think now being a healthy player, being someone who can physically come out and play day in and day out is his calling card, and it means a lot to him. 'It's not just being healthy, it's performing optimally. It's hitting the ball hard throughout the ballpark and being a good defender. He has a very clear understanding of what he needs to do to get better.' Often lost in the shadow of Boston's 'Big 3' in Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell, Romero is starting to look like a player who can live up to his billing as a former first-round pick — and be part of the next wave of Sox prospects headed to Worcester. Advertisement 'He's a special player,' Epperson said. Portland Sea Dogs pitcher David Sandlin gets ready to throw a pitch during a Double-A game earlier this year. David Sandlin A pitcher with a penchant for watching anything 'Star Wars' related before he pitches; David Sandlin finally channeled his inner Obi-Wan Kenobi — after a self-described slow start to the season — in his latest outing for Portland last weekend. 'This guy brings electric stuff to the mound every single time, and you know he's going to continue to get better,' Epperson said. 'He knows what he's got to work on, and I know the competitor and the work that he has put in, and he's going to get right, and when he gets right, he's going to go on one hell of a role.' Advertisement The 24-year-old righty, acquired by Boston last year for pitcher John Schreiber in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, generated 20 swings and misses (which on Sunday led all Double A) in his latest start for the Sea Dogs. Portland Sea Dogs pitcher David Sandlin gets ready to throw a pitch during a Double-A game earlier this year. The 6-foot-4 righty reached 99 miles per hour on his fastball and struck out nine in five innings. Despite a 4.78 ERA over 26⅓ innings, Sandlin and Co. believe Boston's No. 8-ranked prospect is close to turning the corner. 'Adversity provides a chance to make some changes and challenge himself,' Abraham said. 'Velo has always been there. That's been something that's been a big key to his success over the years. Advertisement 'Something we need to continue to focus on with him is get him in the zone. When you have that kind of stuff, you want to challenge these hitters.' With these four prospects improving their craft in Double-A Portland, there is a good chance fans will get to see them play at some point in Triple-A Worcester later this season. —Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox prospects Jhostynxon Garcia, Connelly Early, Mikey Romero and David Sandlin
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This week's best bets: Sea Dogs and real dogs, 'Sleeping Beauty' and singer Mary Fahl
Apr. 21—Maine Wildlife Park Gates 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily (visitors can stay until 6 p.m.). Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, $11, $8 seniors and kids 3-12, $6.50 veterans/military. Maine Wildlife Park opened for the season last week. The animals are ready to frolic, romp and live their best lives. Beat the summer rush and spend a few hours seeing more than 30 species of Maine wildlife that have found a home at the sanctuary after injury, illegal captivity or other reasons that make life in their natural habitats not possible. Walking around the park's many acres is an educational experience. You'll encounter owls, otters, moose, bears, bobcats, cougars and several other birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Bark in the Park 1 p.m. Saturday. Hadlock Field, 271 Park Ave., Portland, $17. $8 dogs. There will be a whole lot going on when the Portland Sea Dogs face the Reading Fightin Phils for an afternoon ballgame. The first 150 fans to enter Hadlock Field will be given a Fraser fir seedling to plant, courtesy of O'Donal's Nursery. Also, all fans are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby hats and outfits in honor of the historic horse race happening a week later. Best of all, it's Bark in the Park day. Three hundred tickets will be sold to humans who will be able to bring their dogs to the game in a special seating section. Be sure to get there early for the pregame doggie parade around the warming track. EqualityMaine 40th Anniversary Gala 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Brick South at Thompson's Point, Portland, $50-$250. EqualityMaine is throwing a huge party to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The nonprofit is Maine's largest and oldest organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Mainers. The bash features performances by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Cidny Bullens, "American Idol" contestant Julia Gagnon and the Maine Gay Men's Chorus. DJ Disco Dungeon will be spinning tunes and food is provided by Black Tie catering, with Brick South's signature cocktails. Tommy Waltz will host the night, and all proceeds benefit EqualityMaine. 'The Sleeping Beauty' 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St., Portland, $35. Portland Ballet closes out its 44th season with its twist on "The Sleeping Beauty." You'll be transfixed as the Lilac Fairy saves Princess Aurora and her kingdom from the sinister Caraboose. Over the course of two acts, the dancers will delight, dazzle and enchant audiences of all ages. The performance's choreography is based on that of Marius Pepita, who first staged it in the late 1800s. Mary Fahl 8 p.m. Saturday. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland, $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Singer Mary Fahl's first claim to fame was as the lead singer and co-founder of the '90s chamber pop act October Project. Since then, Fahl has released several albums as a solo artist. Her work includes the original song "Going Home," which was used as the theme for the Civil War film "Gods and Generals." Fahl's extraordinary vocals were also referenced in Anne Rice's novel "The Wolves of Midwinter." Rice later reached out to Fahl and asked her to write and record a song for the audio version of the book. Fahl's most recent release is "Can't Get It Out of My Head," with some of her favorite songs from the '60s and '70s from artists like The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Pink Floyd. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
