David Thompson courtesy of Al Rabon
The Asheville Tourists (14-16) (Colorado Rockies affiliate) will be making their first visit to Columbia since 2004 when they played the Capital City Bombers (Mets Affiliate), the Bombers left Columbia at the completion of the 2004 season.
When the Tourists come into Columbia they will be bring their bats with them, they lead the South Atlantic League with a team batting average (.285), OPS (.800), SLG (.454), Hits (302), and doubles (79). The offense is led by top prospect Brendan Rodgers who is hitting .363 and has an OBP of .429. Rodgers leads the Tourists in home runs (7) and RBI (27).
Along with Rodgers are first baseman Brian Mundell who is slashing .358/.415/.537, outfielder Yonathan Daza (.841 OPS) and infielder Mylz Jones (.828 OPS).
The Tourists pitching staff has not been at its best during the first several weeks with a team ERA (4.53) but even so there are plenty of talented arms on the Asheville staff. Leading the way is Jack Wynkoop 3-1 (3.82), he will be returning to Columbia where he was a Gamecock for three years at the University of South Carolina before being drafted in the 6th round by the Rockies.
Righty Peter Lambert (#13 prospect) is 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA, he is consistently around the plate as he has only had two walks in 28 plus innings. Other notable pitchers on the staff are David Hill (2-2, 5.03) the 29th rated prospect, Parker French (2-1, 1.17), and Sam Thoele who leads the team in saves with five.
The Columbia Fireflies (18-14) come in having won three of four from the Greenville Drive and have closed the gap between them and first place Charleston, Fireflies are just 2.5 games back.
The Fireflies are led by second baseman Vinny Siena (.347/.477/.465) and is hitting .500 the last four games. He is driven in most of the time by third baseman David Thompson is hitting .299/.370/.496 while leading all of baseball with his 36 RBI and is second in the SAL in runs scored (29). In Thompson’s last seven games he is hitting .391 with seven runs scored and eight RBI.
First baseman Dash Winningham is hitting .359 over the past four games with seven RBI. Shortstop prospect Milton Ramos is currently hitting .222 but over last seven games he’s hitting .333 with three doubles and five RBI.
As the Fireflies bats have heated up the pitching staff has continued their stellar work. Two of those are lefty P.J. Conlon and righty Chase Ingram, the Tourists are happy they will not be facing either one during the four game series. Conlon is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and Ingram is 3-2 with 36 strikeouts in only 29 innings.
The top arms coming out of the bullpen for the Fireflies are lefty Seth Davis (1-1, 2.95), righty Alex Palsha (1-1, 3.45, four saves) and righty Tyler Bashlor (1.29 ERA) whose fastball has been clocked at 97 MPH during his latest appearances.
Scheduled Starters:
May 12 7:05 PM David Hill (2-2, 5.03) vs Thomas McIlraith (1-2, 4.85)
May 13 7:05 PM Jack Wynkoop (3-1, 3.82) vs Kevin Canelon (2-1, 3.12)
May 14 7:05 PM Peter Lambert (1-1, 2.51) vs Tyler Badamo (1-2, 4.08)
May 15 2:05 PM Trey Killian (3-2, 5.58) vs Joe Shaw (2-2, 3.71)
For the first time in Fireflies history you can watch their home games on MiLB.tv, starting with tonight’s broadcast!
