TL1 Texas League

Texas League Newsletter

Published on July 7, 2008 under Texas League (TL1) News Release


During Colorado's incredible postseason run to the National League pennant last October, I heard from many readers who were amazed that so many of the Rockies' standouts had played recently with the Tulsa Drillers. Most lamented that they had either missed seeing any or all of them at all in Tulsa or wished they had seen them play more often.

Well, here's a wake-up call to baseball fans who have not seen the Drillers play this season: You don't want to miss Dexter Fowler play for Tulsa before he moves up to a higher level.

Fowler is a potential major league star whose talents will be on display for a national audience in the Futures Game on July 13 at Yankee Stadium. He entered this season as a highly touted prospect and has exceeded expectations. Fowler, 22, is the center fielder on Baseball America's mid-season minor league all-star team for prospects.

Through Friday's games, Fowler was batting .324 with eight homers, 49 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He led the Texas League in runs and triples, and was ranked among the top five in hits, doubles and extra-base hits. Fowler is batting .356 with runners in scoring position. If the TL awarded Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence, he would be a favorite for that honor as well.

During their 32-year history, the Drillers have had many center fielders who have gone on to the majors. None have been smoother in center field. Some have had more power, speed or a stronger arm. But none has had a more complete package of skills than Fowler. Aside from his physical talent, his sunny personality and love of the game make him a potential great ambassador for baseball and commercially attractive if he achieves success in the majors.

Fowler, who batted .373 in June, has a chance to have the greatest season ever by a Drillers center fielder ever if his next two months are similar to his first three.

As of now, here is the all-time ranking of Drillers center fielders on how they performed with Tulsa:

1. Fowler (2008): See above.

2. Juan Gonzalez (1989): The 1996 and '98 American League Most Valuable Player hit only six of his 21 homers in Tulsa. He batted .293 with 85 RBIs.

3. Eddie Miller (1977): His 80 stolen bases (in only 100 games) are the most by a Texas Leaguer since 1908.

4. Ruben Mateo (1998): Came back from an early season injury to live up to his ranking then as the Texas Rangers' top prospect. Batted .309 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs to help the Drillers win their last pennant.

5. Ruben Rivera (2002): Had already played seven of his nine major league seasons when he was exiled to Tulsa for two months after the Yankees released him due to off-field issues. Carried the Drillers to a first-half title with 10 homers, 43 RBIs and a .312 batting average in 59 games. He also was excellent defensively.

6. Cory Sullivan (2003): Led the TL in hits and batted .300.

7. George Wright (1980-81): Played in a team-record 269 consecutive games. Just an average hitter, but his defense carried him to the majors.

8. Greg Jemison (1977-78): Led the TL with 65 stolen bases in '78.

9. Ruben Sierra (1985): Just as Matt Holliday did two decades later, he had a very good major league career after a mediocre Drillers stint. Showed flashes of greatness, but batted only .253 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs.

10. Terrell Lowery (1993-94): Batted .286 with eight homers, 54 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in '94.

More prospects: Tulsa's Casey Weathers, who also will be in the Futures Game, was one of two runners-up for the relief spot on Baseball America's minors all-star team...

Former Stillwater pitcher Brett Anderson, also selected for the Futures Game, won his Texas League debut for Midland after being promoted from Single-A Stockton as he allowed three hits, did not issue a walk and struck out 12 in six innings on June 26. Anderson is 10-4 with a 4.05 ERA overall this season. Midland next visits Tulsa on August 9-11...

Booker T. Washington product Michael Wilson's career is back on track after a nightmarish 2007 season caused by a hamstring injury. Wilson, 25, who was drafted by Seattle in 2001, is second in the Double-A Southern League with 19 homers and fourth with 57 RBIs for West Tennessee.

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Texas League Stories from July 7, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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