Columbia Fireflies in 2017

Edgy MD · May 24, 2017

That staff got all kefuffuled from a bunch of rainouts. Humphreys was dazzling in Game One, though. Seven-inning complete game shutout, giving up four hits and a walk, striking out 10. He's 7-1!

Frayed Knot · May 24, 2017

(Also, what maniac designed that number font?)

The guy who was charged with the task of imagining: 'If fireflies used numbers, what would those numbers look like?'

Edgy MD · May 28, 2017

Last night's rainout typified a month filled with rainouts, reschedulings and doubleheaders. Despite their nice punch at the top of the rotation, this has led to them unable stabilize the unit, getting two games off in three, and then five games in the next three. They've currently won but four of six, leaving them five games out of first, in fourth place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division, and a half game behind their in-state rival (and Yankee affiliated) Charleston River Dogs.

The real mystery on this team since Day One has been Desmond Lindsay—who, at .149 / .308 / .237 // .545, is giving the team the sort of stat line folks were predicting for Tim Tebow. Lindsay is one of the team's top four prospects, or was before the season began. Right now, he's shown almost none of the ease that made look like he was playing in a league too low for him at Brooklyn in 2016. All he's been able to do is walk. He wears prescription glasses, so maybe that needs to be tweaked a little. Or maybe batting coach Joel Fuentes has got him all messed up.

Providing the offensive stardom that was hoped for out of Lindsay has been second baseman Michael Paez. Paez, a 2016 fourth-rounder out of Coastal Carolina, was as bad last season for Brooklyn as Lindsay was good (.555 OPS), but they've sure swapped places this year, as the home cooking has helped Michael to a team-leading five homers and a .284 / .379 / .511 // .889 stat line. It's not real until you do it twice, Michael.

Lunchie notes the raking that Gabriel Llanes got above, but the Firefly rotation still boasts the best 1-2 punch in the circuit with Merandy Gonzalez and Jordan Humphries. Evan as the injury bug to the St. Lucie rotation (and Mets rotation) has sucked other guys up the ladder, these two have stayed behind and solidified the Columbia staff like nobodys business, each getting eight starts and giving the team a great chance to win each time out.

If you're heading down to Columbia, or any of the lovely, sleepy Southern cities of the Sally League where they might be the featured guests, catch 'em on a night when one of those guys is on the bump. Harol Gonzalez (2-3, 5.59 ERA) or Blake Taylor (0-6, 4.36 ERA)? Not so much. Some towns ask Tim Tebow to give an uplifting speech after the game! Seriously!

Transactions, 4/29

Transaction	Placed On DL
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Jake Simon #27
DoB	1/21/97
B/T	L/L

Transactions, 5/1

Transaction	Promoted To St. Lucie
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670041/generic/180x270/670041.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Austin McGeorge #27
DoB	11/27/94
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 5/2

Transaction	Promoted From Brooklyn
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Jake Simon #27
DoB	1/21/97
B/T	L/L

Transactions, 5/10

Transaction	Promoted From Kingsport	Demoted To Brooklyn
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ricardo Céspedes #5	José Miguel Medina #8
DoB	8/24/97	10/21/96
B/T	L/L	R/R

Transactions, 5/15

Transaction	Activated From DL And Promoted To St. Lucie	Activated From 7-Day DL
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656563/generic/180x270/656563.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Joel Huertas #26	Reed Gamache #40
DoB	2/14/96	1/3/94
B/T	S/L	R/R

Transactions, 5/16

Transaction	Added To 7-Day DL
Position Group	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/622511/t3705/180x270/622511.jpg[/fimg]
Name	José Garcia #38
DoB	11/3/94
B/T	L/R

Transactions, 5/17

Transaction	Demoted From St. Lucie
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670105/generic/180x270/670105.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Adam Atkins #36
DoB	6/25/91
B/T	R/R

Transactions, 5/18

Transaction	Added To 7-Day DL
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Ricardo Céspedes #5
DoB	8/24/97
B/T	L/L

YOUR Columbia Fireflies

Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656083/generic/180x270/656083.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642571/generic/180x270/642571.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657663/generic/180x270/657663.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642130/generic/180x270/642130.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Harol Gonzalez #45	Merandy Gonzalez #38	Jordan Humphreys #32	Gabriel Llanes #10	Blake Taylor #28
DoB	3/2/95	10/9/95	6/11/96	1/15/96	8/17/95
B/T	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher
Other Positions	rp	rp	rp	rp	rp
Status Notes
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670105/generic/180x270/670105.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657518/t3705/180x270/657518.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664905/generic/180x270/664905.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642566/generic/180x270/642566.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Adam Atkins #36	Matt Blackham #6	Taylor Henry #17	Max Kuhns #16	Darwin Ramos #33
DoB	6/25/91	1/7/93	7/6/93	8/11/94	11/23/95
B/T	R/R	R/R	L/L	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions		sp			sp
Status Notes
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642236/generic/180x270/642236.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641404/t3705/180x270/641404.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/645305/generic/180x270/645305.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Jake Simon #27	Adonis Uceta #26	Joseph Zanghi #39	Brandon Brosher #25	Ali Sanchez #20
DoB	1/21/97	5/10//94	12/1/94	2/17/95	1/20/97
B/T	L/L	R/R	R/R	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher
Other Positions	sp	sp			rf
Status Notes
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/650700/generic/180x270/650700.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669667/t453/180x270/669667.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669686/generic/180x270/669686.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Luis Carpio #18	Reed Gamache #40	Andres Giminez #4	Jay Jabs #21	Michael Paez #3
DoB	7/11/97	1/3/94	9/4/98	9/30/94	12/8/94
B/T	R/R	R/R	L/R	L/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Second Base	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#8000FF]Second Base
Other Positions	ss, 3b	2b, 1b	2b	lf, 2b	ss
Status Notes
Position Group	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656875/t3705/180x270/656875.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657445/t3705/180x270/657445.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669950/generic/180x270/669950.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663664/generic/180x270/663664.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/628297/t3705/180x270/628297.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Milton Ramos #24	Dash Winningham #34	Gene Cone #9	Desmond Lindsay #7	Tim Tebow #15
DoB	10/26/95	10/11/95	9/21/94	1/15/97	8/14/87
B/T	R/R	L/L	L/L	R/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Shortstop	=#8000FF]First Base	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Center Field	=#8000FF]Left Field
Other Positions	2b, 3b		lf, cf
Status Notes

Inactive

Position Group	=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670059/t3705/180x270/670059.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656326/generic/180x270/656326.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665078/t3705/180x270/665078.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657211/t3705/180x270/657211.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664735/t3705/180x270/664735.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Colin Holderman #11	Gary Cornish #??	Seth Davis #??	Jimmy Duff #39	Witt Haggard #??
DoB	10/8/95	1/21/94	5/8/93	11/15/93	12/9/91
B/T	R/R	R/R	L/L	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#8000FF]Starting Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher
Other Positions	rp		sp
Status Notes	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL	=#00BF00]Suspended	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL	=#00BF00]Possibly Retired	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL
Position Group	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#008000] Catcher	=#8000FF] Infielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656563/generic/180x270/656563.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/596048/t3705/180x270/596048.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/600958/t3705/180x270/600958.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669723/generic/180x270/669723.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Joel Huertas #26	Tyler Moore #21	Natanel Ramos #??	Blake Tiberi #5	Ricardo Céspedes #5
DoB	2/14/96	8/8/93	6/19/93	2/16/95	8/24/97
B/T	S/L	R/R	R/R	L/R	L/L
Primary Position	=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#008000]Catcher	=#8000FF]Third Base	=#0000FF]Center Field
Other Positions	sp	1b, 2b, lf			rf, lf
Status Notes	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL	=#00BF00]Possibly Retired	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL
Position Group	=#0000FF] Outfielder	=#0000FF] Outfielder
	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657775/t3705/180x270/657775.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/669113/generic/180x270/669113.jpg[/fimg]
Name	Tucker Tharp #8	Jacob Zanon #21
DoB	11/26/91	6/25/95
B/T	R/R	R/R
Primary Position	=#0000FF]Right Field	=#0000FF]Center Field
Other Positions	cf, lf	rf, lf
Status Notes	=#00BF00]Possibly Retired	=#FF4000]On 7-Day DL

YOUR Columbia Fireflies Coaching Staff

Position Group	=#BF0000] Manager	=#BF0000]Pitching Coach	=#BF0000]Hitting Coach	=#BF0000]Assistant Coach
	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/jose-leger.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/jonathan-hurst.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/joel-fuentes.jpg[/fimg]	[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/josh-kozch.jpg[/fimg]
Name	José Leger #19	Jonathan Hurst #48	Joel Fuentes #12	Josh Kozuch #??
DoB	5/19/82	10/20/66	5/27/76	??/??/??
B/T	R/R	R/R	S/R	?/?

Edgy MD · May 30, 2017

A cakewalk today for Columbia, as Llanes returns to his winning ways in a 14-2 win over Augusta. It was a Cinderella story, as Dash Winningham hit two homers a double in the rout.

Virtually all the Flies produced offensively, except Tim Tebow, whose 0-4 extended his ongoing slump, dropping his average to .214. I don't think the SAL All Star Game is happening for Tim.

bmfc1 · June 6, 2017

Good column on Tebow:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/on-a-sunday-in-hagerstown-tim-tebow-is-a-major-star-living-a-decidely-minor-league-life/2017/06/04/1500ef88-4968-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?utm_term=.8e3873386a49

Edgy MD · June 9, 2017

Recently activated from a doping suspension, Gary Cornish goes six shutout innings in Columbia's 8-0 victory over Lexington. Two homers by Dash Winningham and two doubles by Tim Tebow who, to his credit, keeps getting up and putting a few a good games together whenever he goes 0-for-a-week and I think he's washing out.

I realize that, if his football career has done nothing else for him, it's taught him how to fail, which is a big part of the minor league experience.

Edgy MD · June 12, 2017

The 58th SAL All-Star Game is scheduled for June 20, and it promises to be a very Columbian affair.

Not only will the Fireflies be hosing the game in their state-of-the-art Spirit Communications Park, but Columbia manager José Leger will be skippering the Southern Division squad, and pitching coach Jonathan Hurst will be supervising the star pitchers.

It's certainly hard to argue with Hurst's appointment, as two of his pitchers are setting the standard for all minor league hurlers this season—Merandy Gonzalez (8-1, 1.56) and Jordan Humphreys (9-1 1.41). Both will be joining their coach and manager on the All Star roster, and this reporter would be SHOCKED if one of them isn't selected to start the game.

Joining the fearsome pair will be reliever Max Kuhns (1-0, 2.10, 6 saves) a 2016 21st round draft choice out of Santa Clara who has emerged as the Fireflies closer.

It takes more than pitching to rule the Skeeter Circuit, and that's why the Fireflies celebrate the all-star status of Michael Paez. Mike is also a 2016 draftee, a fourth-rounder out of Coastal Carolina, raking to the tune of a .291 /.386 /.503 // .888 clip, ripping six homers and driving in 38, while also swiping seven bags. That's not bad for a left fielder. But for a second baseman like Michael, it's the sort of half season that gets you invited to an all-star game.

Lastly, these glimmering lights are joined by 2014 draftee Dash "O' Salt" Winningham. Staffing first base for the Flies, Dash has bounced back from a slow start to find his power bat, hitting 10 homers, good for fifth in the circuit, while upping his overall line to .252 / .306 / .448 // .754.

I know what you're thinking. None of this makes up for the desperately slow start of Desmond Lindsay and the milky substance that clings to the team that is Tim Tebow. Well, I say you can't get all the breaks, and five all-stars and a 36-25 record, sitting the team a half game off the division pace, is a pretty shiny penny.

The game goes down at 7:05 p.m. ET on June 20th, and will be live-streamed on MiLB.TV. Hopefully, the Mets hold off on any promotions for this sterling bunch until after the game goes down. Tune in!

[fimg=700]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_UpftDWsAAObfY.jpg[/fimg]

Edgy MD · June 14, 2017

A ninth-inning run last night off of Cameron Griffin—recently demoted from St. Lucie—gave the Greenville Drive a walkoff win, and ended the Fireflies nine-game winning streak.

Edgy MD · June 21, 2017

"Charleston RiverDogs Apologize After Mercilessly Trolling Tim Tebow."

The article ends with some minor trolling of it's own.

Ceetar · June 21, 2017

Edgy MD wrote:
"Charleston RiverDogs Apologize After Mercilessly Trolling Tim Tebow."

The article ends with some minor trolling of it's own.

The one thing Tebow, the RiverDogs trolling, and this article all have in common..

..It's good for brand visibility.

Edgy MD · June 21, 2017

Nobody likes a tie, but that's what José Leger's South Atlantic League Northern Division All-Stars came away with, tying their sourthern rivals 3-3 in the Sally League All-Star Game.

Merandy Gonzalez got the start and threw a single perfect inning, striking out one.

Jordan Humphreys tragically did not appear. (The game was rain shortened.)

Reliever Max Kuhns recently joined the Disabled List, so he got to show up and take a bow, but was removed from the roster.

Adonis Uceta was a late addition, presumably replacing Kuhns, and pulled off the tricky trick of giving up three hits in an inning, but not allowing a run, striking out three as well. That's living up to your name, Donnie!

Secondbaseman Michael Paez played the whole game, going 1-3 with a run scored.

Firstsacker Dash Winningham also got the start, going 1-2 with a two-run double.

The Fireflies are heroes! Curious to see who gets a mid-season promotion.

dgwphotography · June 21, 2017

Nice article on local hopeful Joe Zanghi:

http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20170610/milford-native-joe-zanghi-learning-plenty-from-famous-teammate-tim-tebow

Edgy MD · June 25, 2017

Anthony DiComo has a scoop.

[tweet:hvrh4fnq]

[/tweet:hvrh4fnq]

Don't look for Tebow updates in this space anymore. Florida State League, here we come.

Edgy MD · July 11, 2017

The Knights of Columbia were down 4-0 to Charleston going into the ninth last night, and then they decided to weaponize the old hit-batsman.

3B Colby Woodmansee singles on a ground ball to left fielder Blake Rutherford.
RF Ian Strom hit by pitch. Colby Woodmansee to 2nd.
SS Andres Gimenez hit by pitch. Colby Woodmansee to 3rd. Ian Strom to 2nd.
2B Luis Carpio flies out to left fielder Blake Rutherford. One out.

[*]CF Desmond Lindsay (just off of the disabled list) hits a grand slam (7) to left center field. Colby Woodmansee scores. Ian Strom scores. Andres Gimenez scores. TIE GAME!
[*]DH Jay Jabs walks.
Jacob Zanon called out on strikes. Two out.
[*]With Dash Winningham batting, Jay Jabs steals (3) 2nd base.
[*]1B Dash Winningham doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Blake Rutherford. Jay Jabs scores. FIREFLIES TAKE THE LEAD!
[*]C Dan Rizzie pops out to second baseman Diego Castillo. Three out.

Adnois Uceta went out in the ninth and pitched his second inning without event and walked off with his fourth win, lowering his ERA to 1.38. FIREFLY VICTORY!

Frayed Knot · July 28, 2017

And the hits just keep on coming ...

Mets OF prospect and their 2nd round 2015 (53rd overall) draft pick Desmond Lindsay underwent Ulnar Nerve Transposition surgery on Friday morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the team announced.
Lindsay will miss the remainder of the season but is expected to be ready for Spring Training next February.

Not sure whether or not this was the cause of, or contributed to, his poor season [.220 BA, 77 K in 214 AB] but that's essentially your "funny bone" nerve so one can see where a misaligned one of those would
be a less than ideal condition for a hitter.

Edgy MD · August 15, 2017

Hey, let's take a look at that formidable Columbia pitching staff!

Starting Rotation
Chase Ingram (DL)
Thomas McIlrath (DL)
Harol Gonzalez (DL)
Colin Holderman
Gabriel Llanes (DL)
Blake Taylor* (DL)
Thomas Szapucki* (60-Day DL)
Marty Anderson
Darwin Ramos

Bullpen
Justin Brantley
Cameron Griffin
Adam Atkins (DL)
Seth Davis* (DL)
Witt Haggard (DL)
Taylor Henry*
Matt Blackham
Max Kuhns* (DL)
Gary Cornish (DL)
Joseph Zanghi
Joel Huertas* (60-Day DL)
Matt Pobereyko
Placido Torres (On Rehab Assignment with Brooklyn)
Keaton Aldridge
Ryder Ryan

Edgy MD · November 25, 2017

Dash Winningham (L) and Justin Brantley check out a gen-u-ine in-game solar eclipse.

Sign In

Columbia Fireflies in 2017

Recommended Posts

Edgy MD

Frayed Knot

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

bmfc1

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

Ceetar

Edgy MD

dgwphotography

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

Frayed Knot

Edgy MD

Edgy MD

Member Statistics

Prospect News & Highlights

Zach Thornton

Recent News

Notes & Rumors

Recent Blog Entries

Recent Status Updates

Mets Resources

Minor League Resources

MLB Draft Resources

History Resources

Recent Activity

My Activity Streams