Minor League Report: Tulsa Drillers

     The Tulsa Drillers have gotten off to a slow start this year but there is still a lot of baseball to be played this season. They are currently 17-22 and are in third place in the Texas League North division. The Drillers are loaded with talent and many of the players who are on the team will become household names within the next couple of years. Kyle Parker, Kiel Roling, Chad Bettis and Tyler Matzek are all names that Rockies fans should get to know as you will be hearing them called up for the Rockies in the next few years.

     Offensively the Drillers have struggled to get going early on and they only have one player who is hitting above .300. That player is Angelys Nina who is batting .302 with three home runs and 15 RBI. The 24 year old second baseman also has two triples and nine doubles in 34 games played. Second on the team in average is Kyle Parker who is batting .272 with eight home runs and 19 RBI. The 23 year old former football star at Clemson now roams in right field and is a huge power threat every time he steps up to the plate. Leading the team in RBI is 25 year old first baseman Kiel Roling who has driven in 22 runs on the year. He also has seven home runs and seven doubles. Some other players to keep an eye on are left fielder Delta Cleary Jr. and first baseman Henry Wrigley.

Kyle Parker (Photo by: Tulsa Drillers Facebook page)

     On the mound the Drillers are led by Christian Bergman and Chad Bettis as they each have two victories on the year. Bergman is 2-2 on the year with a 3.28 ERA on the year. He has 37 strikeouts and has shown great command and only walked eight hitters in 46 2/3rds innings pitched. Bettis also has a 2-2 record with a 4.00 ERA. He has struck out more than a hitter per inning as he has 37 strikeouts in 36 innings. He also has very good command and has issued just five free passes. Other pitchers to watch for the Drillers are relievers Michael Solbach and Mike Marbry.

Chad Bettis (Photo by: Rich Crimi)