Welcome the Missoula PaddleHeads

The Missoula Osprey have been teasing a name change for a while, and it's here! The Arizona Diamondbacks Rookie League affiliate is officially the Missoula PaddleHeads. https://twitter.com/MiLB/status/1191411865932484608?s=20 “When we started this process, the goal was to develop a new brand that Missoula would be proud of,” ... More

Osprey announce 2019 schedule

The Missoula Osprey will open their 21st season with a six-game series at Great Falls beginning Friday, June 14. The Osprey will then welcome the Voyagers to Missoula for the home opener on Friday, June 21, according to the official schedule released Tuesday. The 76-game season will wrap up Sept. 7 following with a a five-game home stand ... More

Osprey under new ownership

The Missoula Osprey will have new ownership under a deal announced by the franchise at a press conference Friday. Mountain Baseball LLC, ownership group since 1993, which sell the Osprey franchise to Big Sky Professional Baseball LLC, with a deal expected to be closed within the next 30 days. Mike and Judy Ellis, majority stakeholders ... More

First half brings success on the mound for two Osprey pitchers

It can be easy to fall in love with radar gun readings. But Missoula Osprey All-Stars Justin Garcia and Marcos Tineo proved in the first half of this season that control matters just as much as velocity. “Here, a located fastball plays,” said Missoula pitching coach Shane Loux. “Guys can hit any speed, so guys that can locate a ... More

Almond, Kennedy represent Osprey position players on All-Star team

All stats current through games of August 2 It took a rain delay to snap Zach Almond out of an early-season slump for the Missoula Osprey and make him a Pioneer League All-Star. After going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts against Helena on June 27, his average had cratered to .269, and the power hitter didn’t have a single homer on the season. After a couple days out of the lineup, it didn’t look like it would get any better, as Almond started the June 30 game against Billings 0-for-3 with another strikeout. But then came the rain — and a fortunate talk with hitting coach Jose Amado. ... More

“It’s given everything to me”: Oropesa’s long baseball journey continues with Osprey

By ANDREW HOUGHTON For ESPN MISSOULA The Philadelphia Phillies opened the 2001 season on April 2 in Miami against the Marlins. For most of the roster, it was a welcome chance to start the season away from the icy spring in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where temperatures were hovering in the 40s. For 29-year-old rookie reliever Eddie Oropesa, it was the biggest stroke of luck on his winding, nearly decade-long journey to the majors. ... More

Going pro requires adjustment for college pitchers

For college baseball players coming into the minor leagues, the biggest change isn't the paycheck - it's the schedule. Whereas college teams usually play weekend series - Friday, Saturday, Sunday - to mesh with an academic schedule, an off day is a rare luxury in a professional schedule. The transition is even more difficult for rookie ... More

Osprey running smart early in 2018 campaign

Smarter running has been key to improving the Missoula Osprey's  on-base success for the 2018 campaign. After stealing just 47 bases in 2017 - second-to-last in the Pioneer League - Missoula is already well ahead of pace with 20 steals in 27 games, just over a third of the way into the season. More importantly, Osprey runners have been ... More

Osprey players seek familiarity in World Cup soccer

Editor’s note: ESPN Missoula, the official radio station of the Missoula Osprey, will be producing features throughout this summer to help the Missoula community get to know the ins and outs of the Osprey roster and of Pioneer League Baseball in general. On the bus, at the hotel, at home. If Missoula Osprey outfielder Jesus Marriaga ... More

Missoula Osprey more than a sporting event

Weather pending, tonight marks the home opener of the 2018 Missoula Osprey season. Yes, we know - you listen to 102.9 ESPN because you're obsessed with local sports, and you know everything there is to know about the Osprey. But we'd like to think that somewhere out there is a listener who either doesn't appreciate a good baseball game or ... More