The IronPigs return home from Gwinnett, GA a little less hot but still doing a lot of things well. Roster attrition is starting to creep in a bit from injuries and a call-up. Some surprises might be in store during this series and some old friends are back in town. Here’s everything you need to know about the Columbus vs. Lehigh Valley series.
About Last Series
The IronPigs visited Georgia for the first time since 2019. They had a 23-15 lifetime record at Coolray Field prior to this series. The IronPigs flew to Georgia and started the series with a morning game, which they won 15-9. From there they lost two, took one back, and won the getaway game to tie the series 3-3.
They are 14-7 overall and 1.0 games back in the whole-league standings, to Jacksonville. The IronPigs are 5-5 in their last 10 games and hold a +15 run differential.
News, Notes, Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
- The IronPigs stole 13 bags in the Gwinnett series, to only 2 caught-stealing. Overall, they are one of only three teams in the International Leauge with 30+ stolen bases and 17+ home runs. (Omaha, Nashville)
- INF Otto Kemp has been swinging a good bat and did get a look-see in left field in one game.
- RHP Nick Padilla has been one of our best relievers, as has Koyo Aoyagi if you throw out his very first appearance. I like what Guillo Zuñiga has been cooking up as well.
- The IronPigs are 8-2 when Stubbs catches and 9-2 overall when he’s in the lineup. (DH)
- The IronPigs are 10-2 when Justin Crawford bats leadoff.
- The IronPigs are 3-0 in the home-white jerseys and 4-0 in the road-gray.
- While the addition of INF/OF Weston Wilson on MLB Rehab helps, the IronPigs have had a short bench due to some attrition: Injuries to Carson Taylor, Matt Kroon, Christian Arroyo and Payton Henry as well as the recall of OF Cal Stevenson. Don’t look to Reading for help just yet. They are foundering at 5-10 and in last place with no hitters or pitchers standing out just yet. Roster improvement will happen when guys get healthy or perhaps if someone comes down from the Phillies for a spell.
Roster News
The preseason roster-palooza post has been updated HERE. It will remain current until the end of this home series with Columbus, at which time roster updates and printable copies can be found in each series preview or in the IronPigs Today daily column.
Printable Roster: 042025 LHV Roster
Welcome Columbus
There are prospects here as well as some old friends. Columbus comes in 12-7 having just split a home series with Louisville. They are in first place in the International League West, and 2.0 games back in the overall standings.
Let’s do the prospects first, the Clippers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians Guardians:
#2 Prospect: OF Chase DeLauter **7-Day Injured List**
#10 Prospect: INF/OF Juan Brito
#11 Prospect: RHP Andrew Walters (reliever)
#12: OF Jonathan Rodriguez
#13: LHP Parker Messick
#21: LHP Doug Nikhazy
#23: RHP Daniel Espino **60-Day Injured List**
#27: OF Petey Halpin
#30: LHP Ryan Webb
Old Friends:
Mgr Andy Tracy – Hasn’t been terribly friendly to ‘Pigs fans on his visits, for whatever reason. People still ask about him around these parts, though.
LHP Kolby Allard – Had an interesting year last season in the Phillies organization. Went 3-8, 5.38 with the ‘Pigs, got demoted to Reading, and did some relief work. He did make it to the Phillies pitching in 7 games with 4 starts and went 2-0.
RHP Vince Velasquez – Most recently pitched in the Majors for Pittsburgh. He missed 2024 with elbow surgery.
Also Notable:
INF Christian Cairo is on this team. He is the son of Miguel Cairo who played for the IronPigs and Phillies in 2009.
Columbus Projected Starters:
Tuesday: LHP Parker Messick (1-0, 2.57)
Wednesday: LHP Doug Nickhazy (1-0, 3.44)
Thursday: LHP Ryan Webb (1-1, 3.78)
Friday: RHP Vince Velasquez (0-0, 5.73)
Saturday: LHP Kolby Allard (0-0, 4.86)
Sunday: LHP Parker Messick
The IronPigs are 3-4 versus LHP starters this season and will certainly have a chance to improve on that. Watch for how A.C. uses the LHB Rookies Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones, Jr.
Cheryl Pursell showing off the shutter speed and image capture.
What’s Going On At The Park This Home Series?
6:45PM starts during the week, 5:30PM Main Gates
Tuesday: Tail-Waggin’ Tuesday Bring Your Dog; Dollar Dog Night; ’70s Night; Irish Heritage Night-Dance
Wednesday: Tacos and Tallboys* Specials in the Plaza; ’80s Night
*Hearing that the $5 Tallboys are available elsewhere in the park this season. Will research.
Thursday: Twisted Thursday Happy Hour 5PM – 7PM drink specials; Pencil Case giveaway (kids); ’90s Night; Wrestling Night-Awards
Friday: 7:05PM start; Post-game fireworks; Witches and Wizards Night; Martial Arts Night-Performance
Saturday: 6:35PM start; Caturday; Bring your cat to the park for some reason; Dance Night-Performance
Sunday: 1:35PM start; Meet Bluey; Post-game kids run the bases
Weather?
I’m no weather savant, but it’s looking pretty good. Perhaps a little breezy here and there but the temps should be good. The only real rain risk right now looks like Saturday, and the rain might be over by game time.
Any Surprises?
We already noted above that fan-favorite player Weston Wilson will be returning on MLB rehab and that former early-seasons IronPig Andy Tracy will be in the house all week as Clippers grouchy manager. But, one more thing: LHP Ranger Suarez may be in line to make a rehab start, which could come as soon as tonight (Tuesday). OF Brandon Marsh (hamstring) is on the Injured List and with the Phillies in New York. However, rather than board the plane for Chicago, he’ll be here for rehab appearances on the weekend if things go as planned.
IronPigs Today
As noted above, it’s Tail-Waggin’ Tuesday. Bring your doggie to the park and enjoy some $1.06 hot dogs (while we still can; other stadiums are doing away with this promotion.). Listen for your favorite ’70s tunes during the game.
Baseball: 6:45PM – Gates (East/Center): 5:30PM – Club (West): 5:15PM
Bring your dog. Or, plan on eating mass quantities of hot dogs. Or, both. Watch Irish Dance in the plaza before the game.
Guardians prospect LHP Parker Messick versus RHP Seth Johnson (or, LHP Ranger Suarez?)
Weather: 71 degrees, partly sunny, 7mph wind at game time, could be 61 by the end, bring a sweatshirt.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image of Gabriel Rincones, Jr. by Cheryl Pursell. It has been edited: cropped to fit the space.