Beech Tree News Network

Media day this past Tuesday at the Bowling Green Hot Rods Stadium showed us a new Roster, new owners, new food service an almost all new front office staff and a new attitude of excitement.

New Manager Michael Johns  set the tone for an upcoming season by enthusiastically stating “We are excited.” Michael Johns is very familiar with the roster, as he managed 13 of the current Hot Rods with Hudson Valley last season. The Tampa Bay Rays affiliate Baseball team will start out the season with a history of 82 wins in 2013 which is a Franchise record. Highlights of the new roster include first round 2011 draft pick Pitcher  Blake Snell. The 21-year-old exciting left-hander was the 52nd overall pick in 2011, and while with the Hot Rods last season, Snell struck out an astounding 106 batters in just 99 innings of work. He is ranked amongst the top ten prospects in the Rays system across multiple scouting publications. Aaron Griffin should also feature in the rotation after an outstanding season with Hudson Valley in 2013.He posted a 2.02 earned run average for the Renegades in 17 games, 12 of them starts. Jacob Faria, who won't turn 21 until July 30, makes the leap to Bowling Green after dominating the Appalachian League with Princeton. At just 18, infielder Kean Wong will be the youngest Hot Rod to open the season. He was selected in the fourth round by Tampa Bay in last year's draft, and he led all Rays minor leaguers with a .328 average with the GCL Rays.

Another first round pick is outfielder James Harris who hails from Oakland California. James says “I love the game and this feels like a good town to be in.” He started in baseball at the age of 12 when he was inspired by his Grandfather and his Little League Coach to get into the game. The speedy outfielder was picked 60th overall out of Oakland Tech High School, the same school as Hall of Fame member Rickey Henderson. Harris batted .258 in 67 games with Hudson Valley in 2013, and he stole 16 bases. Kentucky weather is always a variable in any outdoor activity but Hot Rods groundskeeper John Gides told us that “The field is 100% playable, it just would be good to have a little more sunshine”.
 The Bowling Green Hot Rods start up their “Funner” season this Thursday night with a four game series against South Bend. For more information or tickets contact the Hot Rods at 270-901-2121 or tune into WLBQ 1570 for ticket give aways.

Jim Baird
Beechtree News