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SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK | More from Opening Day at Eastwood Field
Diversity: The Scrappers’ opening day roster includes players from 10 states and five other countries (Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Taiwan). Players from the Dominican Republic (six) and Florida (five) make up 43 percent of the 26-man roster. Ohio is represented by Ryan Colegate (Centerville) and Mitch Logan (Mayfield). Florida is the only state represented by multiple players. The oldest player is 24-year-old catcher Juan Gomes, who was born on Christmas in 1991. The youngest is pitcher Triston McKenzie, who is the only 18-year-old on the roster. McKenzie will turn 19 on Aug. 2. Starting pitcher Micah Miniard towers over the team at 6-foot-7, while outfielder Silento Sayles checks in at 5-foot-9.
Catching on: Gomes hopes to follow in the footsteps of his brother Yan Gomes, who plays for the Cleveland Indians. Juan was selected by the Indians in the 37th round of the 2014 draft. On June 7, 2014, Juan and his family were watching an Indians game from their home in Florida. They had just watched Yan belt a three-run homer to center field when Juan’s name appeared on the draft board. “It was weird, because when Yan hit the home run I had a feeling something good was going to happen,” Juan said. “Then my Dad saw my name come up and there were tears and happiness through me and my Mom and my Dad together there. It was all so good. When I got drafted, [Juan] gave me a guide on what to expect. He has been a great help.”
Toole time: Scrappers hitting coach Justin Toole is a first-year coach in the Cleveland organization, but he’s no stranger to Eastwood Field. Toole played for the Scrappers in 2009 and 2010. The former infielder remained a player in the Indians’ system until last summer, where he progressed as high as the AAA level. As soon as his playing career ended, he was hired by the Indians as a hitting coach. “I have nothing but great memories of my time here as a player, so it’s exciting to be back in this capacity,” Toole said. “It was a very eerie feeling driving back into the stadium lot. It seems like just yesterday, but at the same time so much has happened in those seven years.” Toole was part of the last Scrappers team (2009) to advance to the playoffs. “We had a great group who were very close-knit, I still stay in touch with a lot of those guys,” Toole said. “What I remember most about that year was that I spent a lot of time at the lake fishing with several of my teammates. A couple of my teammates who will remain nameless and who are playing in the big leagues now, they were really good at catching fish but they didn’t have any clue how to get the fish off the line.” Having spent seven years in the minors, Toole has some sound advice for players getting acclimated to the rigors of travel. “Buy one of those air floatation mattresses used in pools, and learn to use it as a portable bed in between the seats on the bus trips. It’s the little things,” Toole said.
Road warriors: While many players dread the hours-long bus rides that are the norm in minor league baseball, Miniard is looking forward to the road trips. “In rookie ball, all your games sites are within an hour of each other, all the stadiums look the same, and you don’t play in front of any fans,” Miniard said. “Taking the long bus rides, you can’t help but bond as a team. You get to know your teammates. Physically it might be a little tougher, but I’m looking forward to the change.” Miniard will experience his first road trip of the season Sunday when the Scrappers make a five-hour jaunt to Auburn, N.Y. They will then visit Williamsport, Pa., before returning to the Mahoning Valley.
Scenery change: While many residents in the Mahoning Valley may often find themselves longing for the sunshine of the desert, Scrappers pitcher Juan Hillman welcomed the climate change from Arizona to Ohio. Hillman, a Florida native, spent the past year playing in the Arizona League. “Honestly, I couldn’t wait to see some trees, some green and some water,” Hillman said. “I just couldn’t wait for a change of scenery. Don’t get me wrong, Arizona is nice. But when you see the desert 24/7, it can get monotonous. It’s the same weather and the same look every day, everywhere you go.” Hillman already got his first taste of rain, as a series of thunderstorms rolled through Niles this week as he was making his arrival. “Living in Florida, thunderstorms are the norm,” Hillman said. “I came here and it was humid and stormy and I felt at home.”