Pioneer League notebook: Former Range Riders SP VanWey lifts off with Astros organization
Range Riders starting pitcher Logan Vanwey delivers a pitch in the first inning against Billings at Flathead Field on Thursday, July 14. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
Departed Glacier Range Riders ace Logan VanWey has opposing hitters feeling ice-cold.
After a stellar stint with the Range Riders, VanWey was signed by the Houston Astros organization and assigned to play for their rookie affiliate the FCL Astros Orange. Through four appearances in rookie ball, VanWey has yet to allow a run while striking out 16 batters in eight innings. He burst onto the scene with five strikeouts in his first three innings of work and did not allow a hit until his fourth appearance with the Astros rookie affiliate.
Like many of his former Pioneer league peers VanWey was hopeful of being drafted after a stellar collegiate career at Missouri Southern and successful run in the MLB draft league as a member of the Trenton Thunder.
Unfortunately with the amount of players picked in the MLB draft reduced by nearly half in recent years, he had to showcase his talents once again in the Pioneer league with hopes of convincing a major league squad to take a chance on him.
VanWey did just that, showcasing electric stuff with Glacier by striking out 46 batters in 39 innings which was enough to get a call from a Major League ballclub so many players dream of.
“Really of any team, honestly, I was really wanted to go to the Astros because of their farming system, all the stuff they have for pitchers analytics-wise. It’s a dream come true to pitch for the Astros organization,” said VanWey in a recent interview with the Sports Illustrated blog “Inside the Astros.”
Miller time again
Slugger Dean Miller made his return to the Range Riders lineup Sunday after missing time on the injured list with an ailment that at one point put his season at risk. Miller made his presence felt immediately when he cracked a solo homerun that traveled a towering 443-feet while exiting Flathead Field against the Boise Hawks.
Despite missing time he remains second on the Range Riders with 52 RBI and third in homers with 11.
His comeback creates a solid trio of power hitters for the Range Riders with Miller joining fellow sluggers Brody Wofford and Livingston Morris in the middle of the order. Wofford leads the team with 17 home runs and Morris is second with 13 big flys.
The return of Miller to the lineup comes at a perfect time as the Range Riders sit just two games under .500 at 14-16 and within striking distance of the first place Missoula Paddleheads with 17 games left in the season.
Pitcher of the week
Glacier’s Rob Hamby was named Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week after etching his name into the Range Riders’ record books by throwing a perfect 4 and one-third innings to start last Saturday’s matchup with the Boise Hawks. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound right-hander took home the win and in total pitched six scoreless innings of one hit baseball while striking out four Boise hitters, making him an easy choice for pitcher of the week honors.