The Missoula PaddleHeads are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Missoula, Montana, and play their home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field.
| Missoula PaddleHeads | |||||
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Class | Independent (from 2021) | ||||
| Previous classes | Rookie Advanced (1999–2020) | ||||
| League | Pioneer League (1999–present) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Team | Independent (from 2021) | ||||
| Previous teams | Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2020) | ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (5) |
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| Division titles (5) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Name | Missoula PaddleHeads (2020–present) | ||||
Previous names | Missoula Osprey (1999–2019) | ||||
| Ballpark | Ogren Park at Allegiance Field (2004–present) | ||||
Previous parks | Lindborg-Cregg Field (1999–2003) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Big Sky Professional Baseball | ||||
| President | Matt Ellis[1] | ||||
| Manager | Michael Schlact | ||||
In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League, of which the PaddleHeads have been members since 1999, was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Missoula continuing as members.[2] Prior to this, the PaddleHeads had been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks (1996–2020).
The team has won the Pioneer League championship five times; in 1999, 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2021.
The club was known as the Missoula Osprey from 1999 through the 2019 season. Previously, the franchise played in Lethbridge, Alberta, as the Lethbridge Black Diamonds. Missoula has had baseball since the early 1900s, with previous team names being the Highlanders and the Timberjacks.[3]
In 2019, the team rebranded as the Missoula PaddleHeads, a term referencing moose antlers being known as "paddles", making the male moose a "paddlehead".[4] The brand also showcases the diversity of kayaking, canoeing and other river-based activities found in Missoula, while the logo features a baseball bat paddle and a partially submerged moose.[5]
Missoula alumni with MLB experience
editEighty-six Missoula players have also played in Major League Baseball.[6] They are:
- 1999
- JD Closser, Jorge de la Rosa, Doug DeVore, Lyle Overbay, Duaner Sánchez, Luis Terrero (1999–2000)
- 2000
- Casey Daigle, Jerry Gil, Andy Green, Phil Stockman, José Valverde
- 2001
- Scott Hairston
- 2002
- Dustin Nippert, Tony Peña, Sergio Santos, Miguel Montero (2002–2003)
- 2003
- Emilio Bonifacio, Carlos González,
- 2004
- Wilkin Castillo, Steven Jackson, Esmerling Vásquez
- 2005
- Pedro Ciriaco, Rusty Ryal, Greg Smith
- 2006
- Héctor Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Gerardo Parra, John Hester, Jordan Norberto, Daniel Stange, Clay Zavada
- 2007
- Bryan Augenstein, Tommy Layne, Evan Scribner, Rey Navarro (2007–2008)
- 2008
- Jake Elmore, Daniel Schlereth, Bryan Shaw
- 2009
- Chase Anderson, Mike Belfiore, Charles Brewer, Keon Broxton, Eury De La Rosa, Paul Goldschmidt, Bradin Hagens, Ender Inciarte, Chris Owings, Patrick Schuster (2009–2010), Enrique Burgos (2009, 2011)
- 2010
- Adam Eaton, David Holmberg, Stephen Cardullo (2010–2011)
- 2011
- Archie Bradley, Ryan Court, Keith Hessler, DJ Johnson
- 2012
- Socrates Brito, Jake Lamb, Michael Perez, Andrew Velazquez
- 2013
- Silvino Bracho, Steve Hathaway, Daniel Palka, Brad Keller (2013–2014), Justin Williams (2013–2014)
- 2014
- Sergio Alcántara, Kevin Cron, Touki Toussaint, Gabriel Moya (2014–2015), Yefry Ramirez (2014–2015), José Herrera (2014, 2016)
- 2015
- Isan Díaz, Marcus Wilson
- 2016
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jhoan Durán, Luís Madero (2016–2017), Luis Castillo (2016, 2018)
- 2017
- José Caballero, Elvis Luciano
- 2018
- Buddy Kennedy, Cristofer Ogando, Geraldo Perdomo, Alek Thomas
- 2019
- Dominic Canzone, Justin Martínez, Liover Peguero
Roster
edit| Active (25-man) roster | Coaches/Other | |||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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References
edit- ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 1, 2021). "Personnel News: Nashville, Missoula, Stockton, Danville". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Pioneer League named MLB Partner League". Baseball America. November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Missoula Osprey rebranded as Missoula PaddleHeads". KPAX.com. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Shore thing: PaddleHeads row into Missoula". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ Hill, Benjamin (4 November 2019). "Shore thing: PaddleHeads row into Missoula". milb.com. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "Osprey alumni in MLB" (PDF). milb.com. November 4, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.