Orem boys of summer are back

Many people at UVU may not know that there is a minor league baseball team that plays right at Brent Brown Ballpark.

The Orem Owlz are the minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and play right here in Orem.

Last season the Owlz posted a .693 win percentage with a 52-23 record, which was first in the Pioneer South League. The Owlz would finish the season, however, losing in the Pioneer League championship to the Great Falls Voyagers.

Outfielder/first basemen Roberto Lopez was named the pioneer league Most Valuable Player. He led the team in almost all hitting categories. Posting a .400 batting average, 108 hits, and 72 runs batted in.

Right behind Lopez is third basemen Luis Jimenez. Jimenez had more at bats than anyone with 284; he posted a .331 average and led the team with 15 home runs.

Jayson Miller was the team’s ace. Miller had an 8-2 overall record in 15 starts and held a pioneer league leading 2.33 earned run average.

It is hard to say whether or not the Owlz will have another great season. With the minor league the team is constantly changing but the Owlz have won three of the last four pioneer league championship so it will be interesting to see what happens.

The Owlz start their season on June 23 when they face the Ogden Raptors in Ogden but the first time the Owlz will be at Brent Brown will June 25 for a five game home stand against the Raptors and the Idaho Falls Chukars.