A new skipper

Last season, manager Troy Percival guided the Chukars to a Pioneer Baseball League best-of-five championship series appearance. Idaho Falls won both games at Melaleuca Field, but faltered in Oakland, losing all three to the Ballers over the weekend, finishing second in the league.

Now, the Chukars are back at it for another turn around the PBL carousel with a new former MLB pitcher at the helm: Les Lancaster.

Lancaster, 64, most notably pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 1987-91, where he accumulated a 34-23 record with a 3.82 ERA over 38 starts and 232 appearances, finishing sixth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 1987.

Lancaster’s best season came in ‘89, when he went 4-2 with a 1.36 ERA and eight saves over 72.2 innings, helping the Cubbies to an NL East title. The Texas native would finish his MLB tenure with stints in Detroit (1992) and St. Louis (1993).

He is no stranger to this league, having managed the now-defunct Rocky Mountain Vibes from 2023-25. The Vibes went 48-47 in ‘23 before hovering around that .500 mark, going 44-50 and 47-47 the following two summers.

Lancaster may be a pitcher by trade, but he also understands the often potent, high-scoring nature of this league:

“You have to play into your ballpark,” he said. “ ... You’re not out of any game, especially here.”

Back in 2022, Lancaster was the pitching coach for the PBL’s Ogden Raptors while also spending time with the Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League.

“Being in the league since ‘22, it helps me to know that every year the league has gotten a lot better, players have gotten a lot better and everything you’re getting — better managers and coaches in this league. So, the competition is definitely raised up,” Lancaster said.

Despite the influx of analytics-based ball running rampant in modern MLB, Lancaster sticks with his old-school roots.

“You know, you win championships with defense and pitching,” he said. “Be stronger up the middle, and that’s what I try to do.”

One of Lancaster’s more modern approaches, however, includes his lineup construction. For example, he has no problem batting a power guy leadoff.

Beyond pitch counts and lineup construction, Lancaster and his staff face a unique challenge in the PBL. This is usually a stopping point — not the final destination — for so many of the Chukars seeking to reach or return to affiliated ball.

How does that individual competition translate to team success?

“I mean, they’re here for a reason. They got the talent. My job is just to put them in the best situation and that’s going to benefit them and help the team win,” Lancaster said.

Familiar facesTyler Wyatt returns for year six in Idaho Falls as the franchise’s most trusted veteran. Joining Wyatt are the versatile Garret Ostrander and, like Lancaster, Texan Gabe Vasquez.

Pitching pedigreeLancaster and Milacki have a wealth of pitching talent to explore this summer, with plenty of arms who most recently spent time in affiliated organizations.

Yency De Jesus (Dominican Republic, Minnesota Twins), Rafael Brito (Venezuela, Miami Marlins), Jordi Romero (Dominican Republic, Kansas City Royals), Roman Camacho (Mexico, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Wilton Castillo (Cuba, San Diego Padres) could be sights for sore eyes in a league where aces can sport a 5.00+ ERA.

OPENING DAY ROSTERVia the Chukars’ official Instagram.

Pitchers

Jason Bickford, LHP; Rafael Brito, RHP; Roman Camacho, RHP; Wilton Castillo, RHP; Yency De Jesus, RHP; Ray Euson, LHP; Miguel Gonzalez, LHP; Ian Lanik, RHP; Josh Leerssen, RHP; Jordi Romero, RHP; Brandon Ross, LHP; Seth Spencer, LHP; Nate Varnier, LHP

Catchers

Jake Fallers, R/R; Andy Valdes, S/R; Mason Collins, L/R

Infielders

Ty Dooley, L/R; Mateo Mathews, L/R; Ray Petersen, R/R; Cole Robinson, R/R

Outfielders

Sam Canton, L/L; Wes Mitchell, R/R; Gabe Vasquez, L/R; Tyler Wyatt, R/R

Utility players

Robert Estrada, R/R; Garret Ostrander, R/R; Casey Vaughn, S/R

Staff

Manager, Les Lancaster; Pitching coach, Bob Milacki; Assistant coach, Joe Alvarez; Bench coach, Billy Butler; Athletic trainer, Clint Bowser; Clubhouse manager, Ray Tarin