The Dayton Dragons begin their 16th season tonight as the Dragons travel to Western Michigan. The squad returns to Fifth Third Field Sunday for the Dragons’ home opener.
Here are five things to watch for this year with the Dragons.
- Seeing clearly
The Dragons' stadium is one of the first minor league ballparks to have the “13HD” video boards. The screen spans 35 by 65 feet.
"The Jumbotron reminds me of what is at Comerica (Park in Detroit) with how bit it is and how beautiful it is" said new Dragons outfielder Jimmy Pickens.
- Next Chapman?
While Kivel is no where close to catching Chapman on the Reds’ depth chart, he has a fastball akin to the Reds’ closer. Kivel’s fastball is typically in the mid 90s, but has topped out at 100 MPH.
“It is a comparison I love,” Kivel said. “He is a guy I idolize and would want to be like.”
In 40 and 2-3 innings with Billings last year, Kivel threw 44 strikeouts.
- Local starter
“The (Reds) are my home team and a team that I have always cheered for so it is awesome to be in the organization,” Varner said. “I still remember coming to watch a Dragons game and saying, ‘I can probably pitch at this level.’”
Varner was the 2014 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year while at Miami. Last season at Miami, he compiled a 7-3 record along with a 2.85 ERA. Finishing the year at Billings in the Pioneer League, he tallied a 3-2 record with a 4.91 ERA.
- Familiar coaches
Browning, a member of the Reds’ 1990 World Series squad, is the last Cincinnati pitcher to throw a perfect game. His perfect game came late in the 1988 season. Browning is returning to his role as Dragons pitching coach after serving in the same position during the 2012 season.
“Being the best teammate is the best thing I can teach anybody whether it is a pitcher or regular player,” Browning said. “We are a family for 140 games. I ask them to be the best teammate they can be and be prepared when it is their time to get in between the white lines.”
Miller is joining the Dragons staff to coach the team’s catchers after playing 17 years of professional baseball. Of his 17 years in pro ball, he spent 13 years in the Reds organization.
- Title town
“It is all about the team goals,” said Dragons outfielder Jimmy Pickens, a member of the Mustangs last year. “If you play as a teammate, you play well as a player. That was the biggest thing that happened in Billings last year. We all bought in on team aspects, and a lot of people had good seasons.”
Dragons by the numbers:
1,051: Games the Dragons have sold out since the opening of Fifth Third Field. The team holds the longest sell out streak in all of American professional sports.
69: Former Dragons players that have joined the big leagues after playing for Dayton.
54: Home runs Dragons infielder Gavin LaValley hit through his senior year in high school.
