February 14 is a very special date for me.  When I wake up on this morning every year, I am filled with a rush of passion that goes unmatched for nearly all of the other 364 days of the year.  For it is on this glorious day that I am able to proclaim to all my undying love for…baseball. 

This date–February 14–brings the most powerful words one can hear: “Pitchers and catchers report.”  Across Arizona and Florida over the next few days, each Major League Baseball franchise opens its annual Spring Training camp, allowing every fan (yes, even Pirates and Astros fans) a few weeks to dream about playing deep into October. 

For the loyal residents of Rocky Town, playoff baseball is an expected part of the season.  Each summer, West Texas residents can count on two things: dust storms and RockHounds playoff games.  In 2010, the ‘Hounds advanced to their second consecutive Texas League Championship series, falling to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in four games. 

Fortunately, most of the players from the squad that has brought two straight Texas League South titles (and the 2009 Championship) to the Permian Basin remain in the Oakland farm system and will attend spring training with the Athletics. 

Here is where you can find your favorite RockHound in 2011:

Anthony Capra

2010: 6-13, 4.27 ERA

At times dominating, Capra ranked third in the Texas League in strikeouts (118) and Batting Average Against (.249).

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Fautino De Los Santos

2010: 1-5, 6.54 ERA

After mid-season promotion to Midland, used 100 mph fastball to average 14.49 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Ryan Edell

2010: 10-4, 3.17 ERA

Only ‘Hound pitcher to reach 10 wins, ERA ranked sixth in Texas League.

2011: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and is currently assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (International League).

 

Justin Friend

2010: 3-3, 3.70 ERA

Valuable middle reliever for the ‘Hounds, limited by injury in second half of the season.

2011: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and is currently assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (International League).

 

Archie Gilbert

2010: .247 BA, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 28 SB 

Gilbert provided the RockHounds with a spark at the top of the lineup; his 28 steals ranked third in the Texas League.

2011: Signed with the Washington Nationals and is currently assigned to the Harrisburg Senators (Eastern League).

 

Derrick Gordon

2010: 2-2, 5.43 ERA

Ranked second on team with 40 appearances. Lefties batted just .234 against him.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Grant Green

2010: .136 BA, 2 HR, 4 RBI

After excelling with Single-A Stockton (.318 BA, 20 HR, 67 RBI), Green earned a promotion to Midland for the Texas League playoffs, where he homered in his first Double-A at-bat.

2011: For the second time in three seasons, enters the spring ranked Oakland’s top prospect by Baseball America.

 

Carlos Hernandez

2010: 9-3, 4.37 ERA

Pitched second-most innings on the club (129.2) and compiled 2:1 strikeout-walk ratio.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

J.C. Holt

2010: .229 BA, 2 HR, 19 RBI

Injured for much of the season, Holt provided the ‘Hounds with valuable depth in the field, including pitching in two games.

2011: Free Agent

 

Josh Horton

2010: .286 BA, 3 HR, 51 RBI

Horton’s exceptional defense and clutch hitting earned him a spot in the 2010 Texas League All-Star Game at Citibank Ballpark.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Val Majewski

2010: .262 BA, 9 HR, 56 RBI

A strong clubhouse leader, Majewski also gave the RockHounds left-handed power in the middle of the lineup.

2011: Free Agent

 

Jermaine Mitchell

2010: .223 BA, 0 HR, 11 RBI

Injuries limited Mitchell to 37 games; when healthy, one of the fastest players in the Texas League.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Gabe Ortiz

2010: .226, 1 HR, 12 RBI

Ortiz displayed athleticism behind the plate while learning the catching position; his unassisted double play during a rundown between third base and home plate was one of the RockHounds’ defensive plays of the year.

2011: Free Agent

 

Petey Paramore

2010: .263, 3 HR, 19 RBI

Brought passion and energy to the ballpark each game; batted .342 over final 30 games of the season.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Shane Peterson

2010: .265, 5 HR, 59 RBI

Great defense while splitting time between first base and the outfield.  His 122 hits ranked second on the team.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Daniel Sattler

2010: 1-2, 4.17

Key late-inning reliver had an ERA of only 1.85 in the seventh and eighth innings.

2011: Signed with the Los Angeles Angels and is currently assigned to the Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League).

 

Lance Sewell

2010: 0-0, 3.94

Earned Double-A promotion after going 7-0 (1.76 ERA) at Single-A Stockton. Held righties to .190 average (combined Stockton/Midland).

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Mickey Storey

2010: 5-4, 3.30 ERA

Second on team with eight saves; shared team’s Most Valuable Pitcher award with Ryan Edell.  2.86:1 strikeout-walk ratio.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Matt Sulentic

2010: .275, 1 HR, 45 RBI

Ranked second on team in games played (123), third in hits (121).

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Alex Valdez

2010: .262, 13 HR, 74 RBI

Finished in Texas League top five in seven offensive categories; 2010 Texas League All-Star.

2011: Signed with the Washington Nationals and is currently assigned to the Syracuse Chiefs (International League).

 

Jemile Weeks

2010: .267, 3 HR, 33 RBI

Limited to just 67 games due to injury, ranked seventh on team in slugging percentage (.403). Ranked Oakland’s No. 5 prospect by Baseball America.

2011: Under contract with Oakland.

 

Matt Wright

2010: 7-3, 3.20

One of the club’s most consistent starters and brought steady, veteran presence to young clubhouse.

2011: Free Agent