Chukars set to open 2012 season
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – It’s Opening Day in the Pioneer League, and the Idaho Falls Chukars are set to host Orem Monday night at 7:15. With the season upon us, here’s a few things to look for tonight at Melaleuca Field.
Manager Omar Ramirez takes over for former skipper Buck Buchannon in 2012. Ramirez was the team’s hitting coach in 2011 when the Chukars finished second in the league in team batting average. But don’t look for Idaho Falls to rely on the long ball in 2012.
Ramirez told Sports Line Saturday during media day that the team will be aggressive on the base paths, using the small game to manufacture runs. Ramirez said there are two specific players to look for in the running game, outfielder Ethan Chapman and infielder Adalberto Mondesi.
Chapman comes to Idaho Falls from Cal State San Bernardino where he lead the Coyotes with 16 stolen bases. Chapman also holds the school’s all-time record for triples. He hit six in 2012. Meanwhile, Mondesi was signed in 2011 on his 16th birthday and will play his first professional game Monday night. The Royals gave Mondesi a $2 million signing bonus, so the club obviously thinks highly of him. He’s a switch hitter that displayed his speed quite well in the Chukars’ exhibition game Friday night against the American Legion Bandits. But Ramirez said Mondesi will have to adjust to the professional pitchers in order to get on base this season.
The Chukars also have five returning players from 2011. They are infielders Nick DelGuidice and Adrian Martinez, outfielder Ysmelin Alcantara and pitchers David Middendorf and Spencer Patton.
DelGuidice told sports line he’s an extra-base type of hitter. Of his 17 hits in 2011, seven were doubles. Martinez played in 49 games for the Chukars last year, hitting .222 with 42 hits and nine RBI. Alcantara only played in 10 games for Idaho Falls last season, but he did have 10 hits to go along with 10 RBI. Patton threw 39.2 innings last season, earning a 3-1 record with two saves and a 3.40 ERA. Middendorf went 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in 2011.
Sports Line will be live at Melaleuca Field at 5 and 6 p.m. on Local News 8 and 5:30 p.m. on Channel 3 Eyewitness News.
