GESA Stadium: Home of the Emeralds?
I'm kidding. PK Park in Eugene, Or, is the home to the Eugene Emeralds and the Oregon Ducks baseball teams. With the Ducks hosting the college world series super regional, the team had dibs on the park, and all the remaining dominos fell, forcing the series between the Dust Devils and the Emeralds to be moved to the open GESA stadium on about 48hours' notice. This was why the Eugene Emeralds used the Home of the Dust Devils this last week, claiming it home for the 6-game, Wednesday-Sunday series that was going on. So yes, the Dust Devils were playing at home as the road team and ended up winning the series 4-2.
There were several perks, $5 tickets, true baseball fans, great conversation, no lines at the stands, quiet, just baseball, and it was super fun. There were some drawbacks: no Dusty's dash, no in-between-innings games, no Erik the Peanut guy on the mic; the stands were empty, and no Dusty was roaming around.
I was blessed to be able to able to attend the Wednesday, Thursday, the front half of the doubleheader Saturday, and the finale on Sunday. First, Wednesday was the smallest crowd I have ever seen, even smaller than the bitter-cold April games that happen year after year in the Tri-Cities, and it was terrific.
Wednesday, I sat down and watched the game with ERIK, THE PEANUT GUY, and being fans together was super fun. Thursday, I was blessed to attend with my friend Justin, and that was super cool and just a lot of fun. The weekend, the girls and I were down right behind the net for the weekend games, and it was a great time. I am entirely roasted as most of us spent the extra time in the sun at the park this week.
However, Erik and I need to work on getting that 2-strike slow clap going more—just a sidebar.
Sunday, was super for the kids and the parents as the team was participating in Play Ball Weekend, where the first 200-kids got a whiffle bat/ball and stickers and got to go on the field and play catch with friends and parents. I loved getting on the field with my girls and just enjoying the experience.
There have been a lot of moves that happened, as the roster looked different.
RHP Dylan King was promoted to AAA Salt Lake on 5/2/23. King, out of the pen with the tea, had a 2.70ERA in 6.2IP with 12K/4BB. It was a lot of fun watching King develop over time in the Tri-Cities, and so far in AAA, he has appeared only in 1IP with a 1ER for a 9.00 ERA.
INF Christian Sepulvada was sent down the Low-A Inland on 5/6.
3B/INF Werner Blakley was activated on 5/6. Since their debut at the High-A level, Blakely has struggled with a .175BA/.275OPB with 2HR, 11RBI, and 5SB and only has 11BB-49K to start his time at this level.
RHP Hayden Sing was sent down to Low-A Inland on 5/12
RHP Jack Kochonowicz was promoted to AA Rocket City on 5/12. With the Dust Devils, he had a 1.52ERA in 23.2IP in 5 starts with the team.
RHP Robinson Pina was promoted to AAA Salt Lake on 5/12. In 8 appearances with the club, he had a 0.79ERA in 11.1IP with 18K-4BB. He has since been moved down to AA Rocket City.
There was a flurry of pitching moves on 5/19:
RHP Joe Swanda is being moved from AAA Salt Lake to the High-A.
In 6 starts back with the Dust Devils, he has posted a 2.31ERA in 35IP, 25K-4BB.
RHP Erik Martinez was promoted from Low-A Inland Empire to the High-A. In 5 appearances out of the bullpen, the 27yo has a 3.18ERA, 9K-2BB.
It is worth noting that Martinez retired from baseball in Jan 2023 after playing the Mexico League before the Angels signed him to a minor league deal in February.
RHP Kelvin Caceres was moved from AA Rocket City to High-A
RHP Cole Percival was promoted to High-A from the ACL on 5/25
Percival came to the Angels organization on a minor-league deal on May 17th after he was released by the Dodgers Organization a week prior.
Since coming over to the Dust Devils, Percival has made three appearances, two starts, and has 8 IPs thus far. With a 6.75ERA, 6K-5BB. I'm sure the tide and the numbers will turn as he adjusts to playing in the NW League.
6/3/23 C Kyle Lovelace decided to retire from baseball. Lovelace was a UDFA signed by the Dust Devils in July of 2021 out of Houston. A defensive-minded catcher first was a lot of fun to work behind the place.
The career comes to a close with 128ABs, .141BA, 0HR, 12RBI, 3SB, and a career of .365OPS. A career .986FLD%, 3PB in 315.2Inn behind the dish. Well, wishes to Kyle and his family.
On 6/6/23, OF Steve Rivas was placed on the Development list.
On 6/6/23, the organization activated 20yo C Gabriel Rodriguez from the inactive list and assigned him to fill the spot of Kyle Lovelace.
The last move was on 6/6/23 as the organization assigned 24yo 1B/3B Ryan Hernandez to the Dust Devils.
The 6'5" INF attended the University of Houston in 2022 as an All-AAC DH, AAC All-Conference, AAC All-Tournament, and Gold Glove Finalist. While at college, he slashed .297/.379/.549 with 30HR and 107RBI in 126GP.
Before the signing by the Angels organization, he was playing with the Cleburne Railroaders. Where he played in 11G, 47AB, 5HR, 15RBI, .319/.365/.702 slash line.
Make sure to join the Dust Devils at GESA stadium for Trivia Tuesday/Coca-Cola Tuesday, Hawaiian Night, the annual Hat giveaway Thursday, Family Feast night on Friday, and the fun weekend series. Then on Father's Day, get your tickets early to secure your spot to play catch on the field with your kids on your day, my fellow dads. Game times are all moved to 7:05 pm starting this week through August.
The first half of the High-A season comes to a close on/around June 22nd as the Dust Devils are currently 1.5 games out from the Division with nine games left- 6 against the Everett Aquasox this week coming and three against the Spokane Indians, who are currently are tied for first with the Vancouver Canadians.