Tuatara ‘better prepared’
The second year of the Auckland Tuatara may begin this week, with the series against Perth starting on Thursday, but in many ways, this is their first real season.
Having to accept a now-or-never offer to join the ABL and hastily erect a pop up stadium in West Auckland and scramble to build a roster last season, it was no surprise that things didn’t go that smoothly on and off the field.
But with Regan Wood brought in as CEO, a permanent base at the reconfigured North Harbour Stadium and a roster that looks considerably stronger, the 2019-20 season is where it really all begins for the Tuatara.
Former Mets pitcher DJ Carrasco has come in as the team’s pitching coach, but one thing that stayed the same is Steve Mintz as the team’s manager and he’s feeling optimistic about the upcoming 40-game season.
‘‘On paper, we’re a really good team,’’ Mintz said. ‘‘The guys we’ve handpicked over the summer, the affiliate guys that have come in, we worked closely with their teams, making sure we were getting the right guys.
‘‘What we’ve assembled with what we have here with our Kiwis, we’re tickled to death with what we’ve got. But now we’ve got to get on the field and do it.’’
The players to keep an eye on are third baseman Jared Walker, who’s with the Dodgers, the Mets first baseman Jeremy Vasquez and catcher Josh Morgan from the Rangers organisation.
One issue with the Tuatara though is with short stop Yonny Hernandez. He returned home to Venezuela after the American season, but with the current issues in the country has had problems getting out and may not be available for the Tuatara’s opening series.
As well as overseas players, there will also be a fair sprinkling of New Zealand players in the team, with most of the local attention being on Aucklandborn pitcher Kyle Glogoski.
The 20-year-old has just completed his second season within the Philadelphia Phillies organisation and had an impressive year with the advanced A ball team, the Clearwater Threshers.
Carrasco, a former MLB ambassador to New Zealand and NZ Diamondblacks bullpen coach says he’s been impressed with how Glogoski has progressed.
‘‘I have been following him since he was on our WBC team years ago and I’ve seen the success he’s had in the first couple of years in the minor leagues,’’ Carrasco said.
‘‘There’s still a long road to go and he has a lot more to do, just to be seasoned and learn the game a lot more. But he’s had a great start to his career so far.’’
A key figure in the team will again be veteran pitcher Josh Collmenter, who pitched for Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves in the Majors.
He’ll be splitting his time this season, on the mound, but also in the Sky Sports commentary box, where he’ll be working with play by play man Mark Watson.
‘‘The presence alone of being an ex big leaguer, to come in here and help these kids, it’s almost like an additional coach, as well as a player,’’ Carrasco said of Collmenter.
‘‘I know he’s going to be doing some commentary this year, so he’ll be well rounded and super valuable for this programme moving forward.’’
‘‘We’re tickled to death with what we’ve got. But now we’ve got to get on the field and do it.’’ Tuatara team manager Steve Mintz