As Cole Wilcox and Logan Workman continue to chase their dreams of making the big leagues, the Chattanooga natives will have their hopeful road to the show bring them back home for a special opportunity this week.
Wilcox and Workman are both highly-regarded starting pitching prospects for the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits, who will be in town from Tuesday-Sunday to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field.
Workman, a 2017 Soddy-Daisy High School graduate, is scheduled to start on Wednesday, with Wilcox, a 2018 Heritage High School graduate, lined up to take the ball on Friday. Both games are scheduled for first pitch at 7:15 p.m.
“I grew up watching Joey Votto and Byron Buxton on that field,” Workman said. “I remember running out on the field as a 7-year-old with players when they do the national anthem. To come back home and play a minor league baseball game is surreal. To be able to be back with all of my family and friends will be amazing. I am back home.”
Wilcox is the No. 8 prospect in Tampa Bay’s farm system after being selected in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Georgia. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has made a successful return from Tommy John surgery and logged a career-high 73 innings this season. Wilcox’s 81 strikeouts this season rank second on Montgomery’s pitching staff, while he has had three starts with at least eight strikeouts this season.
The North Georgia flamethrower has been deadly when ahead in the count this season, as hitters are batting just .108 against him when trailing in the count. Wilcox won the Best of Preps Male Athlete of the Year award in 2018 following his senior season at Heritage, where he went 8-2 with a 1.67 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 58 2/3 innings while also batting .435 with 17 extra base hits and 42 runs batted in.
“To pitch at AT&T Field is going to be awesome. I grew up going to Lookouts games, so this will be a full circle moment,” said the 24-year-old Wilcox, who did not allow an earned run over five innings in his start against Biloxi on Saturday. “I never really dreamed of pitching there, but now that I am it’s definitely a very surreal opportunity. I always loved coming on used car night to games here. I am blessed beyond measure.”
Staff file photo by Doug Strickland / Former Soddy-Daisy pitcher Logan Workman deals against Rhea County in a 2016 prep game. Workman gets the start for Montgomery Wednesday against the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field.After putting forth remarkable numbers at Lee University — which included a 13-1 record with a 1.26 ERA and 163 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings in his final two college seasons — Workman has carried over his consistency to the professional level.
The 6-foot-4 righty has a 2.54 career ERA in the minors and has only allowed 120 hits and 38 walks over 149 innings, in which he has struck out 155. Heading into his Wednesday start, Workman has pitched at least five innings in each of his last three starts and has back-to-back starts with six strikeouts.
Right-handed batters are just hitting .129 against Workman, who carried a minuscule 1.44 ERA over his last 25 innings, in which he has only walked four batters and allowed one home run.
“A lot of the success comes down to the hard work, but I also think the coaches who have pushed me have been a huge reason to why I’m here today,” said Workman, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft. “They have motivated me to work to be the best. Coach (Jared) Hensley and Trig (Jamie Tricoglou) helped me grow and prepare to get to the next level in high school. Coach (Mark) Brew and Coach (Richie) Goodenow helped me shine in college and prepare to get drafted.”
On a homecoming-like week for both Biscuits’ pitchers, friends and family will pack the crowd at AT&T Field in support of the local stars. Keeping emotions in check will be a key for both as they try to focus on delivering a quality performance in each of their starts against a talented Chattanooga lineup.
“All of my family is coming and they are going to be in a sky box,” said the 25-year-old Workman. “I have already heard from so many people that are coming. It’s going to be a fun game. Adrenaline may kick in at an all-time high. It may come close to matching the spring game I had against the New York Yankees.
“I am going to have to find out how to enjoy the moment, but also calm myself down and lock in. I definitely look forward to seeing everybody, though, and saying hi to them and thank you for helping me get to this moment. To throw in front of them will be a great experience.”
Added Wilcox, “My family has been in my corner since day one. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. I have so many friends, coaches and teammates who have helped me a long the way too. That’s what I am looking forward to the most about pitching in Chattanooga. I get to see all of them that mean so much to me.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.