The Lansing Lugnuts' All-Time Starting Lineup
This is going to be debatable. We invite that. Here's what we did: We chose a five-man starting rotation and a starting nine plus a designated hitter out of the 804 total players who've ever suited for the Lugnuts dating back to 1996. Caveat: With one big exception, these players
This is going to be debatable. We invite that.
Here's what we did: We chose a five-man starting rotation and a starting nine plus a designated hitter out of the 804 total players who've ever suited for the Lugnuts dating back to 1996.
Caveat: With one big exception, these players were not chosen based on how they played in Lansing. The Lugnuts serve the important purpose of being a Minor League affiliate, preparing and developing players for Major League success. How a player ends up succeeding figures mightily into how they're perceived.
Still, we welcome all disagreements! Send in your own all-time Lugnuts lineups to jgoldstrass@lansinglugnuts.com.
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Catcher: Danny Jansen, 2015. Danny's time was limited in Lansing to 46 games due to a couple of injuries, but he has since blossomed as the Blue Jays hoped. He enters 2020 as the Jays' No. 1 catcher.
Worth arguing for: Yan Gomes, Matt Treanor, Robinson Chirinos (infielder in Lansing, catcher in the Majors)
First Base: Brian Dopirak, 2003-2004. Brian is the only player on this list never to make the Major Leagues... but on the other hand, his 39 home runs in 2004 remains the Midwest League's single season record. He still owns the Lugnuts' single season records for most games (137), hits (166), RBIs (120), total bases (321), and extra-base hits (77).
Worth arguing for: Hee-Seop Choi, 2015 MWL MVP Ryan McBroom, Rowdy Tellez
Second Base: Ryan Theriot, 2002-2003. The Riot began the 2003 season with the eventual Midwest League champions. He ended his nine-year Major League career with the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals and 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, scoring the championship-winning run in his final tour around the bases in the Major Leagues.
Worth arguing for: Carlos Febles, Ryan Goins, Cavan Biggio - but we'll get to him later.
Third Base: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 2017. At the age of 18, Vladdy Jr. reached base in his first 29 games, caught a first pitch from his dad on Father's Day, put on a memorable show in the Midwest League All-Star Game Home Run Derby, excelled in the MLB Futures Game, and is now (along with Bo) the future of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Worth arguing for: Maybe Casey McGehee? Probably not, though.
Shortstop: Bo Bichette, 2017. Bo put forth one of the great half-seasons for any player in Midwest League history, collecting 40 hits in 22 games in June before he was promoted to the Florida State League in July with a .384 batting average and a 1.071 OPS. Last year he reached the Major Leagues and promptly doubled in his first nine games to set a new MLB record.
Worth arguing for: You really want to argue against Bo?
Outfield: Carlos Beltran, 1996. A member of the inaugural Lugnuts Opening Day lineup, Carlos played only 11 games in Lansing before an injury sent him back to camp. Three years later, he was the American League Most Valuable Player, on his way to nine All-Star Games, three Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers awards.
Outfield: Jake Marisnick, 2010-2011. The heart of the 2011 Eastern Division champions, Jake excelled offensively and defensively for the Lugnuts, hitting .320 with 47 extra-base hits and 37 steals. Then he was traded to the Marlins, traded to the Astros, and most recently, traded to the New York Mets, where he has the opportunity for a full-time role this season.
Outfield: Kevin Pillar, 2012. Pillar went from being a 32nd-round pick out of Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills to Midwest League Most Valuable Player to a highlight magnet nicknamed "Superman" in the Major Leagues -- what a rise! He enters his first year in Boston this season.
Worth arguing for: Corey Patterson, Travis Snider.
Utility: Cavan Biggio, 2016. Want to impress your friends? Ask them to name the first game that Cavan, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. were in the same starting lineup. The answer: The 2016 Crosstown Showdown between the Lugnuts and the Michigan State Spartans.
Worth arguing for: Tim Locastro, Jon Berti, Ronny Cedeño, Jeremy Giambi.
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*Pitcher: Rich Hill, 2003.** There aren't too many Michigan Wolverines to play for the Lugnuts, but the man nicknamed -- well, you know his nickname -- was one of them. Hill struck out 50 batters in 29 1/3 innings with the Nuts, en route to a 15-year Major League career entering 2020.
Pitcher: Noah Syndergaard, 2011-2012. The man now called Thor was a dominating teenage presence at Cooley Law School Stadium. Traded to the Mets after the 2012 season, he was a National League All-Star in 2016 and then started on back-to-back Opening Days in 2017 and 2018.
Pitcher: Carlos Zambrano, 1999. A teenage workhorse in Lansing, Big Z pitched 12 years in the Major Leagues and was named to three National All-Star teams and won three Silver Sluggers as one of the best hitting pitchers of his generation. (He belted 24 career homers in the Majors!)
Pitcher: Matthew Boyd, 2013. Matt joined the Nuts for his pro debut after the Blue Jays drafted him out of Oregon State. He gave up one run in 14 innings and was promptly promoted. After breaking out in 2014 and 2015, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, where he was the best starter in their rotation last year.
Pitcher: Aaron Sanchez, 2011-2012. Aaron allowed just two earned runs in his first 38 innings in 2012. Four years later, he went 15-2, led the league with a 3.00 earned run average and a 0.7 HR/9-IP rate, and was named an American League All-Star.
Worth arguing for: Anthony DeSclafani, Ryan Borucki, Jason Simontacchi, Henderson Alvarez.
Four former Lugnuts named MLB All-Stars
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and catcher Alejandro Kirk and Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd will take part in the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, taking place on Tuesday, July 15, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wilson, who played 23 games for
Avant provides encore, triumphant Nuts enter All-Star Break
MIDLAND, Mich. – Corey Avant fired six shutout innings for the second time in a six-day span, and the Lansing Lugnuts (11-10, 47-40) used a three-run fifth inning to top the Great Lakes Loons (10-11, 44-42), 3-1, in a Sunday matinee at Dow Diamond. The Lugnuts won each of the
Nuts enjoy 9-2 rout in Midland
MIDLAND, Mich. – Grant Judkins struck out seven over five scoreless innings, Ryan Lasko and Davis Diaz homered, and the Lansing Lugnuts (10-10, 46-40) thrashed the Great Lakes Loons (10-10, 44-41), 9-2, on Saturday night at Dow Diamond. The Nuts were playing without third baseman Tommy White while the Loons
Patient Lugs outpace Loons, 6-3
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (9-10, 54-40) drew eight walks from Dodgers prospect Maddux Bruns in 2 1/3 innings, jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and topped the Great Lakes Loons (10-9, 44-40) on Friday night at Dow Diamond. Bruns, the Dodgers’ No. 20 prospect, hit Joshua Kuroda-Grauer with
Nuts split two in Great Lakes
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (8-10, 44-40) enjoyed a 10-1 rout of the Great Lakes Loons (10-8, 44-39) before dropping the nightcap 4-1, splitting a Thursday night doubleheader at Dow Diamond. In Game 1, Jared Dickey stole home in the first inning, Jonny Butler homered in the second inning,
Lugnuts/Loons postponed, doubleheader Thursday
MIDLAND, Mich. – The scheduled Wednesday evening game at Dow Diamond between the Lansing Lugnuts (7-9, 43-39) and the Great Lakes Loons (9-7, 43-38) was postponed due to wet grounds and inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a Thursday doubleheader beginning at 6:05 p.m. and
Decker HR spoils Avant gem, lifts Loons past Lugs
MIDLAND, Mich. – Corey Avant struck out six in six scoreless innings, but Cam Decker homered off Jack Mahoney to power the Great Lakes Loons (9-7, 43-38) past the Lansing Lugnuts (7-9, 43-39), 3-2, on Tuesday night at Dow Diamond. The opener of the six-game series was completed in a
White blasts Lugnuts past Caps, 5-2
LANSING, Mich. – Tommy White broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a three-run homer to left, and the Lansing Lugnuts (7-8, 43-38) clinched a series split with the Fort Wayne TinCaps (9-6, 40-40), winning 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Jackson® Field™. Jared Dickey led
Sha, Locos dice up Fort Wayne
LANSING, Mich. – Pitching in front of his father and brother, Tzu-Chen Sha pitched two-hit ball over five innings to earn his first High-A win, and the Lansing Locos (6-8, 42-38) beat las Manzanas Luchadoras de Fort Wayne (9-5, 40-39), 5-1, on a Copa de la Diversión Saturday night at
Lugnuts draw 10,527 in 4th of July loss to TinCaps
LANSING, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps (9-4, 40-38) jumped out to an early lead and doubled up the Lansing Lugnuts (5-8, 41-38), 6-3, in front of a Friday night Independence Day crowd of 10,527 at Jackson® Field™ – the largest single game crowd of the season in High-A and
Tommy White, Gage Jump to play in All-Star Futures Game
NEW YORK, NY – Lansing Lugnuts third baseman Tommy White and Opening Day starter Gage Jump will represent the Athletics’ organization at the 2025 All-Star Futures Game, with the rosters announced this morning on MLB Network. The 26th Futures Game will be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12,
Mendez, TinCaps two-hit Lugs
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Miguel Mendez struck out nine batters in six scoreless innings, and the Fort Wayne TinCaps (8-4, 39-38) silenced the Lansing Lugnuts (5-6, 41-36), 2-0, on a sold-out Thursday night at Parkview Field. The Lugnuts were held two hits – a Jonny Butler double in the second
Nuts overwhelm TinCaps, 8-2
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Jared Dickey smoked a pair of doubles, Casey Yamauchi and Tommy White collected three hits apiece, and the Lansing Lugnuts (5-6, 41-36) used a five-run sixth inning to cruise past the Fort Wayne TinCaps (7-4, 38-38), 8-2, on Wednesday night at Parkview Field. The Nuts and
Koenig, Fort Wayne take opener, 7-2
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – In a special all-Copa match-up, las Manzanas Luchadoras de Fort Wayne (7-3, 38-37) pinned the Lansing Locos (4-6, 40-36), 7-2, on Tuesday night at Parkview Field. Fort Wayne starter Ian Koenig allowed only two hits in 6 1/3 innings – a Rodney Green, Jr. single and
Schofield-Sam promoted to Midland, Montero returns
The Lansing Lugnuts (4-5, 40-35) announced the following roster changes, in conjunction with the Athletics: - First baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam promoted to Double-A Midland - First baseman Darlyn Montero completes rehab assignment and reinstated from the 7-day Injured List The updated Lansing roster now has 29 active players. Schofield-Sam, 24,
Six-run 7th swings Nuts into series split
LANSING, Mich. – Three huge swings in the bottom of the seventh – a Ryan Lasko leadoff home run, T.J. Schofield-Sam three-run double and Tommy White two-run blast – propelled the Lansing Lugnuts (4-5, 40-35) to a 6-1 win over the Dayton Dragons (4-5, 25-49) on a sweltering Sunday afternoon
Dickey dinger dooms Dayton, 4-3
LANSING, Mich. – In the bottom of the eighth inning, Jared Dickey lifted a dramatic two-out, go-ahead two-run homer over the 23-foot right field wall, carrying the Lansing Lugnuts (3-5, 39-35) past the Dayton Dragons (4-4, 25-48), 4-3, in front of a Saturday night crowd of 6,614 at Jackson® Field™.
Dragons drum Lugs, 19-4
LANSING, Mich. – Victor Acosta and Leo Balcazar homered amid a 19-hit attack, and the Dayton Dragons (4-3, 25-47) scalded the Lansing Lugnuts (2-5, 38-35), 19-4, on Friday night at Jackson® Field™. The Dragons have collected 56 hits and scored 48 runs in winning three of the first four games
Six-run 1st boosts Nuts to 9-7 win
LANSING, Mich. – Jared Dickey homered in a six-run first inning, and the Lansing Lugnuts (2-4, 38-34) held off the Dayton Dragons (3-3, 24-47), 9-7, on Thursday night at Jackson® Field™. The Nuts halted Dayton’s three-game winning streak, capturing their first win after two straight losses in the six-game series.
Dragons soar past Lugnuts, 9-4
LANSING, Mich. – Carlos Sanchez tagged a three-run homer and Jose Montero pitched into the seventh inning, helping the Dayton Dragons (3-2, 24-46) beat the Lansing Lugnuts (1-4, 37-34), 9-4, on Wednesday night at Jackson® Field™. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer went 4-for-4 with three singles, a double and a HBP for the
Locos hit three homers, lose slugfest to Dayton
LANSING, Mich. – CJ Rodriguez, Casey Yamauchi and Tommy White homered – an inside-the-park home run for Yamauchi – but it was not enough to overcome a 17-hit barrage from the Dayton Dragons (2-2, 23-46), who defeated the Lansing Locos (1-3, 37-33), 13-8, on Tuesday evening at Jackson® Field™. Coming
Nuts welcome prospect tandem Lin and Sha
The Lansing Lugnuts (1-2, 37-32) announced the following roster changes, in conjunction with the Athletics: - Pitcher Nathan Dettmer is transferred to Stockton (Single-A – California League), - Pitchers Wei-En Lin and Tzu-Chen Sha received from Stockton. The updated Lansing roster now has 28 active players. A native of Kueishan,
Nuts romp behind Quad Cities' quintet of errors
DAVENPORT, IA – Jake Garland went seven innings, Davis Diaz slugged his first professional home run, and the Lansing Lugnuts (1-2, 37-32) took advantage of five errors to roll the Quad Cities River Bandits (2-1, 41-28), 10-3, on Sunday afternoon at Modern Woodmen Park. The Lugnuts piled up 16 base
Avant excels, but Bandits best Lugs in 10
DAVENPORT, IA – Corey Avant set a professional high with seven strong innings, but the Quad Cities River Bandits (2-0, 41-27) scored three runs in the bottom of the 10th inning to rally past the Lansing Lugnuts (0-2, 36-32), 4-3, on Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Avant, drafted in
Green homers, Lugs drop 2nd half opener
DAVENPORT, IA – Rodney Green, Jr. ended a homerless drought with a towering roundtripper toward the Mississippi River, but the Quad Cities River Bandits (1-0, 40-27) quieted the Lansing Lugnuts (0-1, 36-31) otherwise, 8-2, on Friday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The game marked the official start to the 66-game