Skeeters Take Flight Again This Week

The Sugar Land Skeeters begin their fourth season of play this Thursday, April 23, facing the Lancaster Barnstormers at Constellation Field.  The Skeeters fell to Lancaster in last season's Atlantic League Championship Series.

For the second season, all of Sugar Land's home games will be streamed live on Watch ESPN.  Audio of road games will be available on KBRZ.com.

Skeeters' Year-by-Year Records 

2012- 64-76
2013- 95-45 (Lost in First Round of Play-offs)
2014- 80-60 (Lost in League Championship Series)

The Skeeters of the Future?

Hundreds of minor league free agents are available according to Baseball America's free agent tracker.    Looking at the players on the market, I can't help but wonder which ones might end up wearing a Sugar Land Skeeters uniform for all or part of the 2015 season.

The Skeeters roster is consistently a landing spot for players who cannot find a place in a big league organization.  In three seasons, Sugar Land has provided an opportunity for numerous players to showcase their abilities and matriculate back to affiliated baseball. In a few cases, those players have made it all the way back to the Major Leagues from Constellation Field.

With this in mind, here is a look at eight free agents who might end up in Sugar Land for 2015. Ages are as of April 23, 2015-the Skeeters opening day.

Jeremy Barfield, 26, OF (Most recently with Oakland organization). Signed with Colorado

After spending time at Klein High School and San Jacinto JUCO, both in the Houston area, Barfield was drafted by Oakland in 2008. He reached AAA in the Athletics system in 2013.  However, Barfield was at AA Midland for all of 2014.  He has 67 home runs in seven professional seasons.

Tommy Field, 28, IF (Pittsburgh). Signed with Texas.

Field spent time with Salt Lake and Indianapolis in 2014.  He has a total of 33 games in the Majors with Rockies and Angels.  Field is an Austin native.  He attended Texas St. a few years after Skeeters fan favorite Dominic Ramos.

Josh Geer, 31, RHP (San Diego).

Geer is a Texas native who pitched at Rice University.  He has pitched in San Antonio each of the last three seasons.  One of his starts for the Missions in 2014 took place in Houston. Geer has some big league experience and he posted a solid AA season in 2014, so he could well be picked up by a big league organization.  If not, Sugar Land seems like a fit.

Dustin Martin, 31, OF(Arizona).

Martin started 2013 and 2014 with the Skeeters.  Each season he was picked up by Arizona.  He has played a total of 42 games with Sugar Land.  Martin is a Corpus Christi native who played in college at Sam Houston State.

Michael Nix, 30, RHP(San Diego).

In three seasons, Nix has made 51 appearances for the Skeeters.  He has moved on from Sugar Land in season twice- 2013 (to White Sox); 2014 (to San Diego).  If  he doesn't latch on with a big league organization, Nix could be back in the Skeeter rotation.

Josh Rodriguez, 30, IF(Miami).

Rodriguez attended South Houston High School and Rice University.  He has bounced around to four different organizations after being drafted by Cleveland in the second round in 2006.  He has played almost 300 games at AAA in nine professional seasons.

Ross Seaton, 25, RHP(Houston). Signed with Detroit

The Astros selected Seaton in the third round of the 2008 draft out of Second Baptist in Houston.  He spent time at AAA in each of the last three seasons.  Seaton leads the Corpus Christi franchise in career starts(64) and innings pitched(372 2/3).

Will Startup, 30, LHP(Detroit).

After spending 2012 with the Skeeters, Startup pitched in the Detroit system each of the last two seasons.  Most of his work for Detroit was done at AA Erie, where he made a total of 69 bullpen appearances.

Adam Godwin Joins Pittsburgh Organization

According to Baseball America's Minor League Transactions page, another Sugar Land Skeeter will be getting a shot at affiliated baseball.  Adam Godwin, who roamed the outfield at Constellation Field in 2013 and 2014, signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh for the 2015 campaign.  Godwin last played affiliated baseball in 2009 with Chattanooga, the Dodgers AA team at that time.

In 215 games with the Skeeters, Godwin, who turns 32 on December 13,  had 239 hits and 63 stolen bases. He has 269 stolen bases in 10 seasons as a professional.

The BA transactions page also shows that former Skeeter Jason Lane has re-signed with San Diego.

Skeeters Bring October Baseball Back to Houston Area

By advancing to the Atlantic League Championship Series, the Sugar Land Skeeters have assured that baseball will be played in October in the Houston area for the first time in four years.  The Astros and Cubs played at Minute Maid Park on October 3, 2010.

Atlantic League Championship Series schedule:

9/30- Sugar Land vs. Lancaster (7:05), Barnstormers win, 10-6.
10/1- Sugar Land vs. Lancaster (6:05), Barnstormers win, 5-0.
10/3- Sugar Land at Lancaster (6:00), Barnstormers win, 8-7 (13 innings)

Barnstormers win series, 3-0.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters Lose Series on a Walk-Off Home Run

A walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th inning, gave Lancaster an 8-7 victory over Skeeters on Friday night.  With the victory, the Barnstormers swept the Atlantic Championship Series from Sugar Land.

Skeeters Hit Road Down 2-0

Sugar Land fell at home to Lancaster for a second straight night and heads to Pennsylvania down 2-0 in the Atlantic League Championship Series.  After losing 5-0 Wednesday night, Sugar Land needs three straight road wins, beginning Friday, to take the series.

Skeeters Fall in Game One of Championship Series

Sugar Land dropped the opening game of the Atlantic League Championship Series, 10-6 to Lancaster Tuesday night.  Game 2 of the best of five series is slated for Wednesday night at Constellation Field.

How You Can Watch/Listen to the Skeeters in 2014

The Sugar Land Skeeters begin their third season Thursday night at Constellation Field.  Those interested in watching and/or listening to the team have more options than ever.  Following is a rundown of the ways to access the club's broadcasts with play-by-play announcer Ira Liebman.

ESPN 3

Video of all 70 Skeeters home games will be streamed online through ESPN 3.  This coverage will also include the Atlantic League All-Star Game scheduled for July 16.

KBRZ

Audio of all 70 Skeeters road games will be streamed online by KBRZ.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters in the Play-offs

Sugar Land begins the Atlantic League play-offs on Tuesday, September 23 against York at Constellation Field.  The Skeeters and Revolution will meet in a best of five series with a berth in the league championship on the line.

Special note for Brett Dolan, who will be broadcasting the Skeeters' home play-off games with Ira Liebman:  If the Skeeters advance to the Championship Series, they will host Games 1 and 2 on September 30 and October 1.  The October 1 game would be the first professional baseball game played in October in the Houston area since October 3, 2010.

Schedule

Tuesday, September 23, York at Sugar Land (7:05 p.m., Central time)- Watch on ESPN3
Wednesday, September 24, York at Sugar Land (6:05)- Watch on ESPN3
Friday, September 26, Sugar Land at York(5:30)- Listen on KBRZ.com
*Saturday, September 27, Sugar Land at York(5:30)- Listen on KBRZ.com
*Sunday, September 28, Sugar Land at York(1:00)- Listen on KBRZ.com

*-If Necessary

Atlantic League Save Leaders

The Atlantic League 50 Save Club

Pitchers in bold are active in the Atlantic League

1. Jim Ed Warden- 134 (2009-2014; Southern Maryland)

2. Mike Guilfoyle- 122 (1998-2003; Bridgeport)

3. Jon Hunton- 96 (2007-2008, 2011-2014; Lancaster, Long Island, and Somerset)

T4. Gary Majewski- 72 (2012-14; Sugar Land)

T4. Eddy Ramos- 72 (2003-2009, 2011, 2013; Road Warriors, Newark, Bridgeport and Long Island)

These statistics were researched using Baseball Reference.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Duke Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters on the Move

Near the end of April, I posted the opening day roster for the Sugar Land Skeeters.  From my previous endeavors online, I am familiar with the amount of transactions that take place in a typical affiliated baseball season. However, I am curious about that facet of an independent league team like the Skeeters.  I will use this post to track the moves the Skeeters make during the 2014 season.

NOTE: Until May 31, the roster limit in the Atlantic League is 27.  After that, it drops to 25. Opening Day was April 24.

9/30/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from inactive list
9/30/2014- Brian Broderick, P, placed on inactive list
9/23/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, activated from inactive list
9/23/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
9/23/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, placed on inactive list
9/23/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
9/19/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated from inactive list
9/19/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from inactive list
9/19/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
9/19/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
9/16/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from the inactive list
9/16/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
9/16/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, placed on inactive list
9/15/2014- Travis Denker, IF, acquired in trade from Laredo(American Assoication)
9/12/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, activated from inactive list
9/12/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
9/12/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
9/12/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
9/11/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, activated from inactive list
9/11/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
9/10/2014- Brian Barton, OF, activated from inactive list
9/10/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, placed on inactive list
9/6/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from inactive list
9/6/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
9/2/2014- Rene Tosoni, OF, acquired in a trade from Sioux City(Frontier League)
9/2/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
8/31/2014- Denny Almonte, OF, acquired in a trade from Bridgeport for a PTBNL
8/31/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
8/29/2014- Brian Barton, OF, activated from inactive list
8/25/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, placed on inactive list
8/24/2014- Clint Everts, P, reinstated from inactive list
8/24/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
8/19/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
8/19/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Clint Everts, P, placed on inactive list
8/18/2014-David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Steve Hammond, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, activated from disabled list
8/15/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, activated from the inactive list
8/11/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
8/11/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from the inactive list
8/11/2014- Todd Jennings, IF, signed
8/5/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, placed on disabled list
8/4/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
8/4/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, reinstated from inactive list
8/2/2014- Bridger Hunt, IF/OF, signed
7/25/2014- Taylor Harbin, IF, sold to Arirzona(Mobile)
7/25/2014- David Pauley, P, reinstated from disabled list
7/25/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
7/19/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, reinstated from inactive list
7/17/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, retired
7/10/2014- Andrew Johnston, P, signed
7/10/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
7/8/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on disabled list
6/27/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, reinstated from disabled list
6/26/2014- Koby Clemens, C, released
6/26/2014- Steve Hammond, P, reinstated from the inactive list
6/26/2014- Chris Smith, P, sold to San Diego(El Paso)
6/21/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, signed
6/21/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, reinstated from inactive list
6/21/2014- Steve Hammond, P, placed on inactive list
6/16/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, reinstated from inactive list
6/16/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, placed on disabled list
6/13/2014- Dan Meadows, P, reinstated from disabled list
6/13/2014- Alex Nunez, IF, released
6/5/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
6/5/2014- Taylor Harbin, IF, signed
6/4/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, reinstated from inactive list.
6/4/2014- Rusty Ryal, IF, sold to Philadelphia Phillie(Lehigh Valley)
6/1/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, placed on inactive list
6/1/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
6/1/2014- Brandon Wood, IF, released
6/1/2014- Brian Barton, OF, acquired in a trade from Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
5/22/2014- Michael Nix, P, sold to San Diego Padres(El Paso)
5/20/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, signed
5/20/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on disabled list
5/20/2014- Chase Lambin, IF, activated from disabled list
5/10/2014- Chase Lambin, IF, placed on disabled list.
5/10/2014- Dustin Martin, OF, sold to Arizona Diamondbacks(Mobile).
5/10/2014- Gary Majewski, P, reinstated from inactive list.
5/10/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, reinstated from inactive list.
5/6/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, signed
5/4/2014- Steve Moss, OF, sold to Mexican League(Diablos Rojos del Mexico)
5/1/2014- Ryan Langerhans, OF, activated from the disabled list
4/30/2014- Cory Van Allen, P, signed
4/30/2014- Gary Majewski, P, sold to Mexican League(Piratas de Campeche)
4/28/2014- Clay Hensley, P, retired.
4/26/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, placed on inactive list.
4/26/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated.

What the Skeeters need to Clinch

With four games left in the regular season, Sugar Land is very close to clinching a spot in the Atlantic League play-offs for the second straight season.

The Skeeters currently lead Lancaster by one game in the Freedom Division's second half standings. Since they own the tiebreaker over Lancaster, the Skeeters magic number to clinch that title(and play-off berth) is three heading into Wednesday's games.  Winning the division would put the Skeeters in a first round match-up against York.

If the Skeeters don't win the Freedom Division, they can still qualify for the post-season as a wild card.  Since Somerset won the first and second half titles in the Liberty Division, the team in the league with the best record of non-qualifiers earns a spot.

Given the wild card opportunity, the chances of the Skeeters NOT making the play-offs are slim.  However, it could happen, and here's how:

The Blue Crabs catch up with Lancaster and Sugar Land

Currently, Southern Maryland trails Sugar Land by three games and Lancaster by two games in the Freedom Divsion second half.  If Southern Maryland could finish the regular season in at least a tie with those two teams, they would win the second half on a tiebreaker.

In this case, Lancaster would edge out Sugar Land for the wild card, leaving the Skeeters home. The Skeeters magic number to eliminate Southern Maryland and clinch at least a wild card spot is two heading into Thursday's game against York.

Atlantic League Play-off Picture

Based on standings through the games of September 16, 2014, here is the Atlantic Play-off Picture:

First Round Matchups(with 5 games remaining)

Somerset vs. Lancaster
York vs. Sugar Land

How they  would qualify:

Somerset- Winner of Liberty Division, 1st and 2nd Half

York- Winner of Freedom Division, 1st Half

Sugar Land- Winner of Freedom Division, 2nd Half (The Skeeters are currently tied with Lancaster for the Freedom Division lead.  Skeeters own the tiebreaker over Lancaster.)

Lancaster- Based on the current standings, Lancaster would qualify for the wild card spot based on the fact that they have the best over-all record among non play-off qualifiers.

This post brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters Pull Back into Tie for Division Lead

It took five hours and 14 innings, but Sugar Land pulled off a dramatic 9-7 win over Lancaster on Saturday night.  The win put the Skeeters back in a tie for the Freedom Division lead.  The two clubs complete their three-game series Sunday afternoon.

Day 2 at Lancaster

Sugar Land looks to even their three game series at Lancaster tonight at 6 pm(Central time).  The Barnstormers won game one of the series Friday night to take a one game lead over the Skeeters in the Freedom Division standings with eight games remaining in the season.  The series concludes Sunday afternoon.

The games can be heard online here.

Things are Heating Up in Lancaster

The next to the last weekend of the Atlantic League season includes a crucial series in Pennsylvania between Lancaster and the Sugar Land Skeeters.  With nine games left on the schedule, the Skeeters are tied with the Barnstormers for the second half lead in the league's Freedom Division. The two teams play games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that will have post-season implications.

Both teams are riding hot streaks into the weekend.  Since August 21, Lancaster is 17-4.  Since August 26, the Skeeters are 12-5.

Lancaster leads the season series between the two teams, 9-8.  The two clubs split the six games they have played in the second half.

Skeeters Hit the Road with Eye on Play-off Berth

With two weeks left on the Atlantic League schedule, the Skeeters start their final road trip of their season Tuesday in the thick of a play-off race.  Heading into Tuesday's game at York, Sugar Land is tied with Lancaster in the second half Freedom Division standings.  The winner of the second half title automatically qualifies for the post-season.

Sugar Land plays three games at York and three games at Lancaster this week.  They finish their schedule with a six-game homestand against York from September 16-21.

Sugar Land could also earn entry to the play-offs as a wild card.  This possibility will arise if Somerset wins the Liberty Division's second half and/or York wins the Freedom Division's second half.  York and Somerset have already qualified for the post-season by winning their divisions' first half titles.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters Play-off Picture Could Get Interesting

With just 22 games left in their season, the Sugar Land Skeeters have a variety of paths to make the Atlantic League play-offs for the second straight season.

Option #1- Win the second half title in the Freedom Division

The Skeeters currently lead the division.  However, all four teams in the division are within one game of each other heading into Friday's games.  Winning the division would put the Skeeters into a first round play-off match with first-half winner, York.

Option #2- Have at least the league's third best over-all record if Somerset wins the Liberty Division's second half or York wins the Freedom Division's second half.

A second half title by Somerset combined with their first half title would open up a wild-card spot for the play-offs.  This wild-card spot would go to the team in the league with the best over-all record that has not qualified for the play-offs.  At the moment, Lancaster and Sugar Land are tied for the league's third-best over-all record behind York and Somerset who have already qualified for the post-season.

Option #3- Have at least the league's fourth best over-all record if Somerset wins the Liberty Division in the second half and York does the same in the Freedom Division.

If Somerset AND York win both halves of their respective division, two wild-card spots would be available. In this case, the teams with the two best over-all records without already qualifying for the play-offs would earn the wild-card spots.  The current standings would find Sugar Land and Lancaster in those positions.

Three weeks to go.

Skeeters Will Come Home in First Place

The Skeeters will return to Constellation Field Friday night in first place no matter what happens tonight in Long Island.  Sugar Land wraps up a nine game road trip Thursday night with a game at the Ducks.  The Skeeters are currently 5-3 on the trip, and they hold a 1 1/2 game lead over York in the Atlantic League's Freedom Division.  

Sugar Land begins a 10-game homestand on Friday night.  The division leaders are scheduled to face Camden for six games(8/15-20) and Southern Maryland four times(8/21-24).

Skeeters Still in First with Four Days Left on the Road

After six days on the road, the Skeeters are still holding on to first place in the Atlantic League's Freedom Division.  Sugar Land is 3 and 2 on the current road trip, which makes them 18-13 so far in the second half of the season.

The Skeeters play one more game in Somerset and three at Long Island on this road trip.  They return to Sugar Land to begin a 10-game homestand on Friday.