TinCaps Naming All-Stars, Selling Merch
FORT WAYNE – TinCaps outfielder Nick Torres and starting pitcher Thomas Dorminy have been named to the Eastern Division roster for the 2015 Midwest League All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday afternoon. The 51st MWL All-Star Classic is set for Tuesday, June 23, at the home of the Peoria Chiefs, Dozer Park, in Peoria, Illinois.
Torres enters play Thursday leading the TinCaps in runs (32), hits (54), doubles (15), total bases (79), on-base percentage (.366), and batting average (.307).
The San Diego Padres selected Torres last year in the fourth round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The 6-foot-1, 21-year-old corner outfielder is from Lakewood, Calif., in Los Angeles County.
Dorminy leads the TinCaps in wins (5), games started (10), innings pitched (52 2/3), and strikeouts (46).
The Padres drafted Dorminy in 2014 in the 10th round out of Faulkner University. The 6-foot, 23-year-old left-hander is from Lutz, Fla., just outside of Tampa.
“I’m very happy for Nick and Thomas,” TinCaps manager Francisco Morales said. “While both have a lot of talent, they’ve also been two of our hardest workers this season. You need your best players to also be your hardest workers, and they’ve done that.”
Both All-Stars are hot right now. Torres is on a six-game hitting streak. Meanwhile, Dorminy has won each of his last two starts, going six innings in both and allowing a total of two earned runs.
Duanel Jones, who was Fort Wayne’s starting third baseman until his promotion to Double-A San Antonio on May 27, also would have been named an All-Star if he was still on the TinCaps roster. At the time he left, Jones led the team in home runs and RBIs.
TinCaps Stuff Selling Like Hotcakes
For the sixth consecutive year, the TinCaps have proven to be one of the Top 25 best-selling brands among Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams. SportsBusiness Journal reported Wednesday on Minor League Baseball’s licensed merchandise sales for 2014. The TinCaps have made the list in each year of the team’s existence.
“Our logo is a fan favorite not just in Fort Wayne but with people from out of town, too,” said Jen Wall, TinCaps Merchandise Manager.
The Orchard Team Store has sold merchandise internationally and to every continental U.S. state but Maine.
“I think it’s a reflection of the Parkview Field experience,” TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. “Fans have a great time here and want to have a keepsake from their experience, whether it’s a jersey or a knickknack.”
The TinCaps also have gained national popularity as one of only 42 teams contracted with the Minor League Baseball Replica Program, which allows Little League teams from across the country to wear the TinCaps logo on their uniforms.
Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams combined for a record $60.3 million in retail sales last year. The TinCaps are one of only four Class A teams on the list, which is mostly full of Double-A and Triple-A teams.
In addition to being open during games, the Orchard Team Store is open year-round, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – even when the team is away. TinCaps merchandise also is sold online at TinCaps.com.