Orem Owlz
From BR Bullpen
- Location: Orem, UT
- League: Pioneer League 2005-present
- Affiliation: Los Angeles Angels 2005-present
- Ballpark: Home of the OWLZ
The Orem Owlz are a Los Angeles Angels affiliate in the Pioneer League. Previously known as the Provo Angels, they became the Owls in 2005, and since then they have played their home games at the logically named Home of the OWLZ in Orem, Utah. In their first season, the club captured the league championship under the leadership of manager Tom Kotchman, and they repeated the feat two years later.
Contents |
[edit] Year-by-Year History
[edit] 2005
After winning the 2004 league title as the Provo Angels, Kotchman led the newly christened Owlz to a repeat championship in 2005. Despite finishing with a .500 overall record, they captured the second half division title and beat the Ogden Raptors in the first round before sweeping the Helena Brewers for the crown. Shortstop Hainley Statia (.300/.360/.426) was impressive defensively and was named the league's #3 prospect by Baseball America.
[edit] 2006
The Owlz captured their division title in both halves of the 2006 season but were swept by the Idaho Falls Chukars in the first round of the playoffs. On the mound the club was led by Sean O'Sullivan, who went 4-0 with a league leading 2.14 ERA, and outfielder Christopher Pettit hit .336 with 7 home runs to power the team's offense.
[edit] 2007
Once again in 2007, Kotchman's team won a championship despite finishing first in neither half of the season. Overall, the team played sub-.500 ball during the regular season, but they defeated the Idaho Falls Chukars in the playoffs before sweeping the Great Falls White Sox to win the league title. Robert Fish paced the pitching staff, going 3-4 with a 3.27 ERA and tying for the league lead with 77 strikeouts.
[edit] 2008
The Owlz posted a league-best record of 52-23 in 2008 and captured the South Division title in both halves of the season. With skipper Kotchman on leave of absence from the club to tend to his ill wife, the team beat Ogden in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Great Falls Voyagers in the championship round. Despite their playoff shortcomings, the Owlz players captured individual honors, with designated hitter Robert Lopez hitting .400 with 14 homers and 72 RBIs to win the league MVP award and Jayson Miller going 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA to be named Pitcher of the Year. They were joined on the All-Star team by third baseman Luis Jimenez (who led the circuit with 15 home runs), outfielder Angel Castillo, and pitcher Will Smith.
[edit] Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 38-38 | 5th | Tom Kotchman | League Champs |
| 2006 | 45-31 | 2nd | Tom Kotchman | Lost first round |
| 2007 | 37-38 | 4th (t) | Tom Kotchman | League Champs |
| 2008 | 52-23 | 1st | Tom Kotchman | Lost League Finals |
| 2009 | 51-25 | 1st | Tom Kotchman | League Champs |
