Saturday, December 29, 2012

NATIONALS INK MIKE COSTANZO, BUT FREE AGENT LIST STILL INCLUDES 62 PLAYERS

Let us hope that when baseball organizations get back into the full swing of things right after New Year's Day there will be jobs--either affiliated or Independent--for the long list of previous Indy players still unsigned after becoming free agents out of major league organizations in the fall. Our records show 62 players available (a few of them may be injured or have decided to call it a day as players) even after OurSportsCentral.comreported that Mike Costanzo (Camden, NJ, Atlantic League) had been signed by the Washington Nationals organization. The corner infielder got his first major league exposure (21 plate appearances) with Cincinnati early last season.

The list of available free agents compiled for our subscriber-only Independent Baseball Insidercolumns:

Pitchers (28): Bear Bay (RHP), Jason Bergmann (RHP), Austin Bibens-Dirkx (RHP), Ricky Brooks (RHP), Daniel Carela (RHP), Tom Cochran (LHP), Robert Coello (RHP), Mike DeMark (RHP), Wes Etheridge (RHP), Cody Evans (RHP), Justin Hampson (LHP), Eric Junge (RHP), Derek Loop (LHP), Mike MacDonald (RHP), Matt Meyer (LHP), Mike Parisi (RHP), Lance Pendleton (RHP), Stu Pomeranz (RHP), Horacio Ramirez (LHP), Scott Richmond (RHP), Wes Roemer (RHP), Rich Rundles (LHP), Will Savage (RHP), Dan Stange (RHP), Brian Sweeney (RHP), Jason Urquidez (RHP), Kip Wells (RHP), Matt Wright (RHP).

Catchers (6): Craig Albernaz, Cody Clark, Ryan Eigisti, Michel Hernandez, Mike Rivera, James Skelton.

Infielders (16): Eric Almonte, Mike Cervenak (1B-3B), Anthony Contreras (SS, German Duran, Brad Emaus-INF, Jake Fox, Vladimir Frias (SS), Ryan Garko, Vince Harrison, Michael Hollimon (SS), Kevin Howard (SS-3B), Jordan Kreke, Jesus Merchan, Valentino Pascucci (1B), Curt Smith (INF-OF), Terry Tiffee (3B-1B).

Outfielders (12): Cory Aldridge, Jose Duarte, Todd Linden, Drew Locke, Val Majewski, Dustin Martin, Chris Murrill, Jake Opitz, Ryan Patterson, Antoan Richardson, Mike Spidale, Brandon Tripp.

We welcome any updates on this list at RWirz@aol.com.

KRIS JOHNSON SHOWS HIS STUFF

Pittsburgh brass couldn't help but feel good with the recent performance of spring training invitee and onetime American Association (Kansas City, KS) lefty Kris Johnson in leading Escogido into the Dominican League's four-team playoffs.

Johnson went a strong 7.1 innings allowing only three hits and no walks as Escogido ousted Los Gigantes in a single-game elimination. The 28-year-old, who is still searching for his initial major league opportunity, retired 16 consecutive hitters at one point with 10 of them on strikeouts. He had 11 punch-outs altogether against a lineup that included major leaguers Nelson Cruz and Alexi Casilla.

Johnson, a onetime first-round draftee by Boston, got a renewed opportunity in affiliated baseball after winning six of nine decisions (3.23) in 16 starts for the T-Bones in 2011.





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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

IT IS A MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR SCOTT KAZMIR, FIGUEROA AND STRIKEOUT ARTIST BENACKA

What would Christmas Eve day be without reporting a few meaningful transactions involving former Independent Baseball players?

Add veteran lefty Scott Kazmir to the list of new signees with an invitation to a major league spring training camp. Kazmir will be with Cleveland after spending last summer in the Atlantic League with the Sugar Land (TX) Skeeters.

Arizona signed free agent Nelson Figueroa (Long Island, NY, Atlantic) and while we have not seen that this veteran right-hander has received a major league invitation he surely will get some consideration for a job.

An Independent original, strikeout artist Mike Benacka, has been signed to a minor league contract by Toronto after a summer of relieving in the American Association (Laredo, TX) and a brief time with York, PA (Atlantic League). Benacka, 30, started his professional journey with River City (O'Fallon, MO, Frontier League) in 2007-08 before having his contract sold to Oakland. He was in the Athletics' system for four seasons, climbing as high at Triple-A. The right-hander has an exceptional set of career stats with a 22-13 win-loss log, 56 saves and 431 strikeouts in a mere 315.1 innings. The strikeout figures were eye-popping in 43 appearances for Laredo with 92 K's in 52.

Another well-traveled player, infielder Gabe Suarez, has been signed by Texas (Double-A contract). Suarez has played for Long Island, Camden and Newark, NJ and the traveling Road Warriors in the Atlantic League along with Kansas City, KS (American Association), Lincoln, NE (before it moved from the Northern League to the American Association) and Florence, KY of the Frontier League.


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OPPORTUNITIES OPEN UP FOR SEVERAL WHO HAVE SERVED IN INDEPENDENT LEAGUES

The Atlantic League's Sugar Land, TX biggie has lost a good one because the Chicago White Sox have given one of the former stars, BRITT BURNS, a pitching coach job in their farm system. Burns was in a similar capacity with the Skeeters in their first season.

ORV FRANCHUK was left hanging when Edmonto dropped out of the Independent ranks last season. He had guided the Capitals to the North American League title in 2011. Franchuk has been hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as hitting coach at Chattanooga.

Congratulations to JOHN BOOHER on his appointment as a national crosschecker for the Red Sox. Booher spent time in coaching roles in the Central League (Jackson) and Northeast League (Elmira, NY) years ago.

BILL SIMAS, the successful closer for the Long Island (NY) Ducks (Atlantic League), has moved up a level in the Dodgers' farm system, taking his pitching skills from Ogden, UT to Great Lakes (Midland, MI).

TEAM SUCCEEDS BUT CHANGES FOCUS

San Rafael, CA was a bright light as the North American League was falling apart last season to the point new seating sections are being added to undersized Albert Park for a second year of play by the Pacifics. But since the North Division of the league has basically evaporated except for the two teams in Hawaii we understand San Rafael will operate essentially by playing what probably amounts to semi-pro teams in the area. The Pacifics may still make at least one trip to Hawaii, which will help attract players, whose compensation may be limited to some living expenses.

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

COLABELLO GETS THE LONG-AWAITED NEWS: MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING INVITATION FROM MINNESOTA

It was only 16 months ago that Chris Colabello was finishing the best of his seven--yes, seven--Can-Am League seasons, a campaign in which he registered career high numbers in batting average (.348), home runs (20) and runs batted in (79) for the Worcester (MA) Tornadoes. But since he was a first baseman about to turn 28 and had never been in affiliated baseball the calendar was working against him.

Today, 10 months shy of 30, he has just been invited to the Minnesota Twins' major league spring training camp in Fort Myers, FL.

Colabello notified this corner of the happy news he received Monday. It arrived at this desk in an email, presumably from Mexico where he is starring in the Mexican Winter League. We will detail the ramifications more for subscribers to the Independent Baseball Insideron Thursday.

The invitation follows an outstanding debut season in the Twins' farm system when he drove in 98 runs while hitting 19 homers and batting at a .284 clip for Class AA New Britain, CT. The offensive barrage has continued in Mexico with a league-leading .344 batting average plus top four numbers in hits (56), doubles (13), homers (15) and RBI (41) in 54 games.

INDY PLAYERS FARE BETTER ON OFFENSE IN AUSSIE ALL-STAR TILT

Former Independent pitchers Brian Grening (American Association teams in Kansas City, KS and Gary, IN) and Kevin Reese (Somerset and Camden, NJ, Atlantic League, and Washington, PA and Traverse City, MI, Frontier League) were touched up for three and two runs, respectively, in one-inning stints as Team Australia defeated the World All-Stars 6-4 in the Australian League All-Star Game. Grening took the loss since he worked the second inning of what had been a scoreless game.

Three Indy players all contributed offensively for the World team, collecting four of that club's five hits. Fargo, ND (American Association) stars Ryan Stovall (now an Arizona minor leaguer) and Zach Penprase went 2-for-3 and 1-for-3, respectively, and onetime Golden League (San Diego) catcher Cody Clark doubled in his only official at bat. All three players also walked once. Lancaster, PA Manager Butch Hobson's son, K.C., a Toronto minor leaguer, went 0-for-2 but drove in a run. Chris Oxspring, who started his professional career in the Frontier League (Cook County) and later pitched for the San Diego Padres, hurled a scoreless fourth inning for the Australian team.

ATLANTIC LEAGUERS IN DEMAND

While shortstop Stephen Drew's new contract with Boston will command the spotlight because of his lofty major league status, two other former Atlantic Leaguers also have new agreements. Catcher Mitch Canham, with Long Island, NY for much of last season, has signed a Double-A pact with Kansas City and another onetime Ducks player, Jon Meloan, a right-handed pitcher, has moved from the New York Yankees organization to a Triple-A agreement with World Champion San Francisco. Drew spent his Atlantic League time with Camden, NJ.

Southpaw Greg Smith, a former major leaguer who found his way back to affiliated baseball via a stint with Grand Prairie, TX in the American Association, has signed with Toronto (Triple-A agreement).


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Friday, December 14, 2012

COLABELLO, ALDRIDGE, HERRERA, ALFONZO HITTING THE LONG BALL IN WINTER LEAGUES; AMERICAN ASSOCIATION SELLS THREE MORE

I do not know when the official word will come, but it is impossible to imagine the Minnesota Twins will not have longtime Can-Am League star first baseman Chris Colabello in their major league spring training camp.

Colabello, who finally had his contract purchased out of Worcester, MA in time to drive in 98 runs for Class AA New Britain, CT last season, is the No. 2 hitter in the Mexican League (.348), is tied for fifth in RBI (39) and ranks sixth in homers (14).

Free agent outfielder Cory Aldridge, who once played in the Atlantic League (Newark, NJ) and was at Salt Lake City (Triple-A) for the Angels last season, is the Mexican League's home run leader (18 in only 188 at-bats) and ranks third in RBI (40).

Independent players also are making loud noise with their performances in Venezuela. The hottest hitter could well be outfielder Javier Herrera, just signed out of the Frontier League (Southern Illinois) by San Francisco. Herrera slugged seven homers in his first 10 games while hitting .414. He also has spent time in the Oakland farm system and played for Rockford, IL (Frontier) and Yuma, AZ (Golden League) prior to this season.

Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, still trying to get back to the majors, has 10 round-trippers (tied for fourth in the league). The free agent's Indy time was spent at St. Paul, MN, now in the American Association.

ANOTHER TRIO OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION PLAYERS SOLD

We remarked in last week's Independent Baseball Insidercolumn that American Association teams had had eight players taken by major league organizations since the season ended. That count is now up to at least 11 with the sale of left-handed pitcher David Quinowski to Baltimore today (Friday). Quinowski was with the Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs much of 2012 although he also played for Gary, IN (American Association) and Somerset, NJ (Atlantic League).

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SPRING TRAINING INVITATIONS KEEP ROLLING IN, BUT AUSTRALIAN ALL-STAR GAME ALSO HAS INDEPENDENT FLAVOR

The Australian League All-Star Game this Sunday in Melbourne is just one more showcase for Independent Baseball players past and present. We have identified five Indy players on the World roster and one for the Aussies while possibly overlooking others.

Catcher Cody Clark, still a free agent as best we know after being a non-roster invitee with the Kansas City Royals last spring and spending the summer at Triple-A Omaha, bears watching since he is pacing the Australian League in RBI (18) while hitting .338. He was a long-ago Indy leaguer when San Diego had a team in the Golden League.

Perennial Fargo, ND (American Association) stalwart Zach Penprase is swingino a .329 bat after a .311 season (his fifth) with the RedHawks. Among pitchers, Kansas City (KS) T-Bones (American Association) starter Brian Grening (10-5, 3.69) is 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA in the winter league. He also has played at Gary, IN. Kevin Reese, who was 4-9, 5.83 mostly as a starter for Camden, NJ (Atlantic League) this summer, is 0-2, 3.80. Reese also has had time with Somerset, NJ (Atlantic) and in the Frontier League with Washington, PA and Traverse City, MI. Washington righty Chris Smith (9-6, 2.92 with 116 strikeouts) is 2-2, 3.38 with 35 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.

Chris Oxspring, an Indy hurler way back in 2000 at Cook County in the Frontier League and 5-9, 4.17 as a starter in 2011 at Somerset, is on the Australian roster. The 35-year-old made it to the major leagues with San Diego for a brief time in '05. The World team also has Toronto minor league first baseman K. C. Hobson, the son of Lancastet, PA (Atlantic) manager Butch Hobson. Hobson is hitting .290 with three dingers and 13 RBI.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE'S KENSING SIGNS, INVITED TO SPRING TRAINING

Right-handed pitcher Logan Kensing is among another trio of former Independent players with major league spring training invitations. The onetime Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish (Atlantic League) hurler got the invite when he signed with Colorado this week. He worked in the Pittsburgh farm system last summer.

Catcher Jose Yepez (Pensacola, FL, American Association, and Gary, IN, when it was in the Northern League) has been invited to Atlanta's major league camp once again while recent St. Louis signee, outfielder Justin Christian, will be in the Cardinals' big-league camp. He started his pro career not far from St. Louis at River City (O'Fallon, MO) in the Frontier League and later spent time with Southern Maryland of the Atlantic.

It seems a virtual certainty George Sherrill will be in the Kansas City Royals camp after signing Wednesday, and another southpaw signing of the same day, Mike O'Connor, could be invited by Minnesota. Sherrill, coming off elbow surgery, is another who started his professional journey in Indy leagues (Evansville, IN, Frontier, and Winnipeg and Sioux Falls, SD, both American Association cities but in the Northern at the time). He likely needs only to prove his arm is healthy to resume facing left-handed major league hitters for the revitalized Royals. O'Connor's Indy experience was at Southern Maryland.



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Friday, December 07, 2012

JASON LANE'S CONVERSION TO PITCHING TAKES HIM TO THE TWINS; MORE SPRING INVITES, TOO

How is this for an intriguing signing?

Minnesota has brought former major league outfielder Jason Lane in for the new year, but it is as a left-handed pitcher after he went 9-5 with a 3.17 earned run average as a starter for the Atlantic League's Sugar Land (TX)Skeeters last summer.

It will be quite a story if Lane, who turns 36 in two weeks, returns to the major leagues at some point in the future as a hurler because of his 497 games in the National League as a position player, including a World Series performance with Houston.

Lane was named the Skeeters' Most Valuable Player, which was fitting since he led the first-year staff in innings (110.2) and played 61 games in the regular lineup, hitting .275 with nine home runs.

For now, the Twins have Lane on their Double-A roster (New Britain, CT), but with his conversion to the mound, their need for pitching and his reputation it is difficult to believe they will not give him a look during spring training.

Meanwhile, another of Sugar Land's "name" starters (no, not Roger Clemens) is getting opportunities to regain his major league touch in winter baseball. Scott Kazmir has started four times in Puerto Rico, and while he has lost his only two decisions he has struck out 21 hitters and walked only six in 19.1 innings while posting a 5.12 ERA.

TWO MORE SPRING TRAINING INVITATIONS AND TWO MORE SIGNINGS

Our subscription-only Independent Baseball Insider had barely been published when we learned of two more invitations to major league spring training camps for players with brief stops with Indy teams. They may be first-time invitees, too, Milwaukee is bringing in right-handed pitcher Darren Byrd, formerly of the American Association's Fargo (ND) RedHawks, and catcher Dayton Buller, once with Camden, NJ of the Atlantic League.

Two of last season's invitees have signed new contracts, and seem likely to appear in spring training games at some point. Atlanta brought back catcher Jose Yepez, who was at Pensacola, FL (American Association) at one time as well as with Gary, IN when that American Association city was still in the Northern League.

Longtime Indy hurler Chris Jakubauskas (American Association, Golden League and Frontier League) has signed a Triple-A pact with Milwaukee. Jakubauskas has an 8-10 record for 69 major league appearances with three different teams. He split '12 between the top Arizona and Toronto minor league clubs.

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Monday, December 03, 2012

RETHERFORD GETS SPRING TRAINING INVITATION; POMERANZ IN LIMBO

This is such an enjoyable week for baseball addicts so we will do our best to keep up with happenings at the Winter Meetings involving former Independent players, both here and in our subscription-driven Independent Baseball Insidercolumn that comes out after Thursday's Rule 5 draft.

The American Association has another of its former stars, Fargo, ND third baseman C. J. Retherford, guaranteed of a major league spring training look. The Los Angeles Dodgers have given him a non-roster invitation, always a good sign.

Retherford, 27, was the organization's Pride Award winner for a June explosion in which he sizzled at .458 with 13 homers in 26 games for Class A Rancho Cucamonga, CA. For the year, he hit .311 with 23 homers and 25 doubles, but batted only .250 in 44 games for Double-A Chattanooga, TN.

Meanwhile, it was surprising to see right-handed pitcher Stu Pomeranz (New Jersey Jackals, Can-Am League) non-tendered by Baltimore, especially since Manager Buck Showalter told this writer in September "he was going to impact us" (in 2012) if not for a severe oblique injury shortly after he was called up to the Orioles. The pitcher seemed to bounce back well in the Florida Instructional League this fall. The O's could re-sign Pomeranz or he might end up elsewhere for next season.

HANKERD RE-SIGNED, PROMOTED

The Chicago White Sox not only gave first baseman-outfielder Cyle Hankerd a new contract, but also promoted the 2011-12 Amarillo, TX (American Association) slugger to their Triple-A Charlotte, NC roster.

Hankerd, who was drafted by Arizona out of Southern Cal in 2006, hit 20 homers and drove in 65 runs in only 83 games for the White Sox's two Class A farm clubs last season. The 27-year-old right-handed batsman hit .437 in nine games at Kannapolis, NC, then stepped up to the Carolina League (Winston-Salem) and hit .325 with 15 of his home runs. He also had 27 doubles and was well above .400 in on-base percentage at both stops. He is a .288 hitter for seven minor league seasons, and hit .351 in 75 games for Amarillo over two seasons.

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

JODIE REPLACES SPARKY LYLE AT SOMERSET AND KEN OBERKFELL WINS LINCOLN JOB

Baseball's revolving door for managers appears to have nudged legendary Sparky Lyle into a "manager emeritus" status at Somerset, NJ, but the onetime major league lefty relief standout left quite a mark for his 15 years with the Patriots, including a record five Atlantic League championships and 1,024 regular-season victories.

Always frank and open with this typist, our fedora is lofted very high for you, Sparky.

It is easy to feel Somerset is in good hands into the future with longtime player personnel boss and pitching coach Brett Jodie taking over although he must get the Patriots off back-to-back disappointments.

Another managerial hiring that got our attention today was Lincoln, NE (American Association) signing Ken Oberkfell, who has an arm's length of accolades on his side even if he did struggle through what had to be a very embarrassing few months with the Newark (NJ) Bears (Can-Am League) this summer before leaving early for what we had heard were personal health issues.

Oberkfell is managing in the Dominican Republic now, where he has had tremendous success.

TWO MORE HAVE MAJOR LEAGUE INVITATIONS

Add the veteran lefty Tim Byrdak (Gary, IN and Joliet, IL, when both were in the Northern League) and catcher Eddy Rodriguez (American Association stalwart at Sioux Falls, SD and El Paso, TX) to the growing list of players with non-roster invitations to major league camps well before the holidays. We will get into this topic in more detail in next week's Independent Baseball Insidercolumn, which subscribers will receive on Thursday, but Byrdak will once again be with the New York Mets and Rodriguez with San Diego.

We also throw a bouquet in the direction of onetime Kansas City, KS (American Association) manager Tim Doherty, who one year ago moved from the Independent ranks to serve as assist hitting coach with the Red Sox. Doherty will be the hitting boss with Minnesota's top farm club in Rochester, NY this season.

ONE MORE HINT ON THE NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE

While it has been all-too-apparent the North American League wasn't likely to enter Year 3 in 2013, more evidence came in today when the Maui club (owners also have the Hawaii Stars) listed the affiliation of those two teams as the Pacific Baseball Association. One has to feel for San Rafael, CA, where a new lease was recently signed. The Pacifics probably will hook on with some type of league in the area, but it is difficult envisioning them playing what had been the NAL's Southern Division teams, all located in Texas and more likely to resume under some type of United League banner.

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Monday, November 26, 2012

BURKE GETS 40-MAN ROSTER PROMOTION, TWO OTHERS TO MAJOR LEAGUE TRAINING CAMPS

Finally catching up with some Thanksgiving Week transactions involving onetime Independent Baseball personnel...

Greg Burke (Atlantic City, NJ, Atlantic League) made the best jump by first signing with the New York Mets, then being promoted to their 40-man roster. The rebounding righty is now at that level along with another hurler whose first pro pitch was in an Indy league, lefty Brandon Sisk (Bay Area, TX, Continental League) with the Los Angeles Angels. Southpaw Caleb Thielbar (St. Paul, MN, American Association) also got to the 40-man with Minnesota this fall.

MORE MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING INVITATIONS

Add left-handed hurler Scott Rice, an Atlantic Leaguer at York, PA, Long Island, NY and Newark, NJ, and outfielder Felix Pie (Camden, NJ, Atlantic) as recent contract signees who have major league spring training invites. Rice will be with the Mets and Pie with Pittsburgh.

Pie is having a solid offseason in the Dominican Winter League.

COLABELLO ANOTHER STEP CLOSER

While we have not heard officially that the contantly productive bat of first baseman Chris Colabello (Worcester, MA and Nashua, NH, Can-Am League) will be in the Twins' big-league camp in Fort Myers, FL, Minnesota has bumped him up from its Double-A farm club to Triple-A. The last we checked Colabello was among the top three Mexican League hitters this offseason in batting, doubles, total bases, on-base and slugging percentage.

NEW DEALS FOR THIS TRIO

Catcher Shawn McGill (Lincoln, NE, American Association), third baseman C. J. Retherford (Fargo, ND, American Association) and pitcher Jarrett Grube (Southern Maryland, Atlantic League) have signed new contracts with their 2012 organizations. McGill remains with Atlanta, Retherford with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Grube with the Los Angeles Angels. All are in the minor leagues.



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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

THIELBAR AND SISK LATEST INDEPENDENT HURLERS TO REACH 40-MAN ROSTER STATUS

Happy Thanksgiving!

That's surely the case for two left-handed pitchers this morning after being added to 40-man rosters of their parent major league organizations.

Caleb Thielbar, who climbed quickly after being signed out of the American Association (St. Paul, MN), is now on the Minnesota Twins' 40-man protection list. The same is true for Brandon Sisk, acquired by the Los Angeles Angels recently in a trade with Kansas City. Sisk had an unusual start in that he was in the Continental League, a circuit that gained limited success before failing. He pitched near Houston for a team called Bay Area.

Twenty players with Independent experience are now on 40-man rosters, which basically have been set (except for free agent signings) 10 days ahead of the Winter Meetings. Three more veterans who are free agents likely will pad that number.

METS SIGN SCOTT RICE

Still one more southpaw, Scott Rice, has been signed as a free agent by the New York Mets although he currently has a minor league contract. Rice had been in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system after pitching for Atlantic League teams in York, PA, Long Island, NY and Newark, NJ. The latter now is in the Can-Am League.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

TRACKING THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC AS WELL AS FRONTIER LEAGUE GRADS

When the final spot in next spring's World Baseball Classic went to Brazil, which squeezed out a 1-0 victory over host Panama Monday night, a couple of Atlantic Leaguers lost their opportunity to be on this important stage.

Ramiro Mendoza, much better known for his decade (1996-2005) with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox although he did pitch for Newark, NJ in the Atlantic League in '09, would have been a key on the Panama mound. He hurled 3.2 scoreless innings in the finale, keeping Panama in the game. Mendoza only allowed two hits and, interestingly, did not have any strikeouts or walks.

Infielder Angel Chavez, who started at third base and later shifted to second for Panama while enduring an 0-for-3 night, played 90 games at Bridgeport, CT in 2011.
Panama was outhit 10-3 with the Phillies' Carlos Ruiz getting two of the safeties.

I do not believe Brazil has any players with Independent Baseball experience although that could change by March.

The 16-team WBC field still seems certain to have a number of former Independent players when the final rosters are determined although we may not have the details until February.

FRONTIER LEAGUE FINDS STILL MAKING NEWS

The extensive records we maintain for the Independent Baseball Insider and this blog show that the Frontier League has produced 24 major leaguers. The nicest part is that many of them started their career in the Frontier since it caters to younger players, many of whom have been overlooked coming out of college.

Two members of this group, left-handed pitcher Andrew Werner and outfielder Justin Christian, are in the news once again because of joining new organizations. We can only hope the new location works out well.

Werner, only 25, was part of a two-for-two trade which takes him from San Diego to Oakland. Werner got a nice test the last six weeks with San Diego, where he started eight times (2-3, 5.58). One has to believe the bargain-hunting Athletics will give him a good look next spring. He is on their 40-man roster. Werner played for both Evansville, IN and Windy City (Crestwood, IL) in the Frontier League.

If Christian lands a job with St. Louis after signing a free agent deal it will complete a round trip from within that area since he started his pro journey with River City in 2003-04. River City is in O'Fallon, MO, mere miles west of St. Louis. Christian, who also played briefly at Southern Maryland (Waldorf) in the Atlantic League, will be hoping to become a fourth or fifth outfielder, a role he had with eventual World Champion San Francisco for part of the last two seasons.

FELIX PIE JOINS PIRATES

In another free agent signing, major league veteran Felix Pie has joined Pittsburgh, where he presumably will receive a spring training invitation. The outfielder started 2012 with Camden, NJ (Atlantic League) before his contract was sold to Atlanta. He did not get any major league time with the Braves.


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Friday, November 16, 2012

ANOTHER TRIO GET OPPORTUNITIES WITH MAJOR LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONS

It always is nice to see another Independent player get picked up by a major league organization, but it was doubly impressive that the World Champion San Francisco Giants elected to place Omar Javier on their Triple-A (Fresno) roster.

The 25-year-old Dominican native had only pitched at the rookie level with St. Louis in 2007-09 before he joined the Indy ranks. The 6-foot-3 right-hander spent some time with the Atlantic League's Road Warriors in 2011, then was at York, PA in that league this season (1-6, 5.67 in 22 games, including nine starts) before joining the Newark (NJ) Bears of the Can-Am League for the final month. Javier won twice and lost twice for the Bears, posting a 3.74 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 33.2 innings over six starts.

Newark's release says Javier will be given a chance to make the Double-A farm club, and even that would be a nice jump from his St. Louis days.

MORE NEW AFFILIATED OPPORTUNITIES

The happy news of significant opportunities with major league organizations for those who have been in Independent leagues continues to stream in.

Onetime outfielder Anthony Iapoce has become special assistant to the general manager and minor league hitting coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. He played for Gary, IN in 2004-05 when the current American Association team was in the Northern League.

And Southern Illinois continues to churn out pitching coaches. The latest is Justin Lord, who helped the Miners win the Frontier League title this year before being hired by Baltimore to serve in a similar capacity with their South Atlantic League farm club in Salisbury, MD (Delmarva ShoreBirds). Brad Hall had previously been hired by Washington and Brendan Sagara by Miami after handling pitching coach duties for the Miners.

"Coaches, just like players come to the Miners with hopes of showcasting their skills and talents so that a major league organization will give them an opportunity to reach the big leagues," said Southern Illinois Manager Mike Pinto.

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

KRIS JOHNSON AND EDDY RODRIGUEZ AMONG LATEST WITH NEW AFFILIATED CONTRACTS

Several more former Independent players have gotten new contracts with major league organizations, including southpaw hopeful Kris Johnson (Kansas City, KS, American Association) who will be among those featured in this week's Independent Baseball Insiderwhich subscribers will receive on Thursday. Johnson is continuing in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Others with new deals include infielder Mark Minicozzi (Worcester, MA, Can-Am League; Camden, NJ, Atlantic League; Kansas City and Winnipeg, Northern League) with San Francisco, third baseman Jimmy Van Ostrand (Sugar Land, TX, Atlantic and Canadian World Baseball Classic star) with San Francisco, catcher Eddy Rodriguez (Sioux Falls, SD and El Paso, TX, American Association) with San Diego and infielder Amadeo Zazueta (Sugar Land) with Toronto.

Among those on the long list of minor league free agents, which we also will cover in the Insider, are veteran outfielder Justin Christian (River City, Frontier League, and Southern Maryland, Atlantic) and right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (Lincoln, NE, American Association; Orange County, Golden League; Ohio Valley and Florence, KY, Frontier). Christian spent a sizeable portion of 2012 with the World Champion San Francisco Giants while Jakubauskas's most recent affiliation was with Toronto.

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Friday, November 09, 2012

RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS GREG BURKE, BRANDON KLOESS IN POSITION FOR SPRING TRAINING FLINGS

Here is an early tip on two right-handed pitchers who started their pro career in Independent leagues, one of out the Atlantic League and the other from the Frontier. Both seem destined for a decent opportunity in major league camps come spring training.

Put Brandon Kloess and Greg Burke on your watch list for February and March.

Burke, who got 48 major league appearances (3-3, two saves, 4.14) with San Diego in '08, bounced back nicely from injuries this past summer to register 17 saves (3-1, 1.53 in 44 games) for Baltimore's top two farm clubs. The 30-year-old, who had debuted with Atlantic City, NJ (Atlantic League) in 2005, became a free agent, and while there were indications the Orioles would try to re-sign the New Jersey native, in stepped the New York Mets. They signed Burke this week and quickly issued a major league spring training invitation.

Kloess, who doesn't turn 28 until next month, spent four seasons in the Chicago White Sox system after a debut period at Windy City (Crestwood, IL) in the Frontier League, and was part of a trade to San Diego this week. While he is not on the 40-man roster it is difficult to imagine him not logging spring training innings with the National League team since some San Diego media expressed that he gives the team "bullpen depth".

Kloess also worked with the White Sox's top two farm clubs in '12, and went 17-10 with 24 saves and a 2.39 earned run average in 132 career games (only five starts) during his time in their farm system.

THESE GUYS HAVE NEW CONTRACTS

Can-Am League product Chris Garcia (New Jersey Jackals), a first baseman, has been given a new contract by Atlanta and moved up from Class A to AA.

Catcher Scott Thomas, who has played in both the American Association (Shreveport, LA) and Atlantic League (Road Warriors), has a new contract at the Class A level in the Baltimore chain.

FREE AGENT COUNT INCREASING

With the annual release of six-year free agents, a sizeable group of onetime Independent players who have gone on to get some major league playing time, are now available: The list includes catchers Mike Rivera, Jose Yepez and Rene Rivera, pitcher Nelson Figueroa, outfielders Lew Ford and Felix Pie, third baseman Mike Costanzo, and first baseman-DH Valentino Pascucci. We will examine the free agent pool more in our subscription publication, the Independent Baseball Insider, next week.

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Tuesday, November 06, 2012

PLAYER MOVEMENT PICKS UP WITH PROMOTIONS, NEW SIGNINGS AND FREE AGENCY ALL ON OUR RADAR

The pace of promotions, signings and, yes, those electing free agency has really picked up. We are tracking the movement as best we can:

PROMOTIONS

Another pitcher from the Can-Am League has made a nice jump, perhaps following the likes of Stu Pomeranz, Raul Valdes and Steve Delabar toward the major leagues.

This time it is left-hander James Leverton, who like Pomeranz and Valdes once played for the New Jersey Jackals. Miami had Leverton in both Class A and Double-A last season, and after his 3-0, 3.31, one save record at Jacksonville, FL where he both started and relieved, has elevated him to Triple-A New Orleans. Leverton struck out nearly one per inning (53 in 56.1) and allowed less than a hit per inning (49) in his 23 Double-A outings.

NEW SIGNING BY A.L. CHAMPS

Remember the hot summer right-hander Shawn Hill had, starting the season with York, PA (Atlantic League), then winning nine of 11 decisions for Las Vegas and getting one appearance with the parent Toronto Blue Jays? He became a free agent, but American League champion Detroit quickly signed the 31-year-old and placed him on the Triple-A Toledo roster. The Tigers may well have liked the fact right-handed hitters only accounted for a 3.33 earned run average off Hill. He was 4.52 overall.

RE-SIGNED

It was last off-season when Pittsburgh signed infielders Keoni DeRenne (York) and Vince Harrison (York plus then Northern League cities Schaumburg and Joliet, IL and Winnipeg) and outfielder Michael Ryan (Somerset, NJ, Atlantic) as player-coaches.

The Pirates have signed DeRenne again, but released Ryan. Neither played in '12. We have not seen any change of status for Harrison.

RELEASES AND FREE AGENCY

Outfielder Chris Murrill (Laredo, TX, American Association) has been released by Tampa Bay.

While many more will follow as released six-year free agents, catcher Shawn McGill (Lincoln, NE, American Association) and outfielder Felix Pie (Camden, NJ, Atlantic) have become free agents after playing at least part of the season for Atlanta's top farm club in Gwinnett, GA. Righty hurler Greg Burke is a free agent after finishing the year with Baltimore's Triple-A club.

Major leaguers taking the free agency route include Mets lefty Tim Byrdak (Gary, IN and Joliet, when both were in the Northern League), Seattle southpaw George Sherrill (Evansville, IN, Frontier League, and Northern League cities Sioux Falls, SD and Winnipeg)) and Oakland shortstop Stephen Drew (Camden).

Stay tuned.

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

TIGERS, GIANTS HAVE PLENTY OF FORMER INDEPENDENT LEAGUERS AMONG MAJOR LEAGUE SUPPORT STAFFS

While it is no secret Detroit's Game 4 starting pitcher, Max Scherzer, is the only player on either World Series roster who spent any time playing in an Independent league (Fort Worth, TX, American Association), there are others in the Tigers and San Francisco organizations with an Indy background.

Tigers infield coach Rafael Belliard once played shortstop in the Northeast League (Albany-Colonie, NY). It is likely all of those listed below also will be wearing championship rings for their contributions.

Here are some of the support staff people, all of whom were Indy players unless otherwise noted. (We welcome notes about those we may have overlooked.):

DETROIT: Triple-A Toledo, OH manager Phil Nevin (manager at Orange County, Golden League), Triple-A coach Leon (Bull) Durham (St. Paul, MN, Northern League), roving minor league hitting coach Toby Harrah (Fort Worth, Central League).

SAN FRANCISCO: Class A San Jose, CA manager Andy Skeels (Newark, NJ, Atlantic League and Texas-Louisiana League), Class A Augusta, GA manager Lipso Nava (Newark, Camden and Somerset, NJ, Atlantic League), Double-A Richmond, VA coach Ken Joyce (coach for Catskill and Adirondack, Northeast League), Rookie Arizona League Giants coach Victor Torres (Newark and Camden).

THE SWARM OF INDY PLAYERS CONTINUES IN WINTER LEAGUES

Veteran major league outfielder Felix Pie, who Atlanta picked up during the season from Camden, NJ of the Atlantic League, is among Independent players off to a solid start in the winter leagues. Pie is hitting .350 (7-for-20) with a .458 on-base percentage after his first six games in the Dominican Republic.

Some of the other former or current Indy leaguers we will be following for the next few months:

MEXICO: OF Cory Aldridge, Newark, NJ, Atlantic League; 1B Chris Colabello, Worcester, MA, Can-Am League; RHP Greg Burke, Atlantic City, NJ, Atlantic; INF Anthony Seratelli, Windy City, Frontier League.

VENEZUELA: C Jose Yepez, Pensacola, FL, American Association, and Gary, IN, Northern League; RHP Chris Jakubauskas, Lincoln, NE, American Association, Orange County, Golden League, Florence, KY and Ohio Valley, Frontier; free agent LHP Justin Hampson, York, PA and Long Island, NY, Atlantic; RHP Jarrett Grube, Southern Maryland, Atlantic.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: INF Erick Almonte, Long Island; LHP Scott Rice, York, Long Island and Newark.

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Friday, October 19, 2012

SCHERZER, LANCASTER, UMPS AND COLABELLO KEEP INDEPENDENT FLAMES BURNING

While Max Scherzer is the only player with Independent Baseball experience still playing in the major league postseason, his talent, on display with 10 strikeouts and only one run (two hits) over 5.2 innings in finishing Detroit's American League Championship Series sweep of the New York Yankees Thursday night, is unquestioned.

Scherzer started his professional career with 16 innings of power pitching for the Fort Worth Cats, who were in the American Association during that 2007 season. The onetime University of Missouri standout struck out 25 batters and allowed only nine hits and four walks while posting a 0.56 earned run average.

LANCASTER IN NEAR SWEEP OF TOP ATLANTIC LEAGUE HONORS

The championship eluded the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers, as we detailed in Thursday's Independent Baseball Insidercolumn, but their season-long dominance was pretty evident when the Atlantic League revealed its postseason award winners Friday.

Lancaster became the first team in the league's 15-year history to sweep the top three on-field awards as well as the first to have more than five players make the 15-man all-star lineup. The Barnstormers had seven first team player selections. Batting champion Blake Gailen was selected as Player of the Year, Fourteen-game winner Dwayne Pollok is Pitcher of the Year and Butch Hobson took his fourth Manager of the Year title although it was his first with Lancaster.

Matt O'Brien of attendance giant Sugar Land, TX and Eric Menzer of York, PA shared General Manager of the Year honors.

TWO FORMER INDY UMPS WORKING ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE GAMES

Much like players, it is special recognition for an umpire to get assignments in the Arizona Fall League.

Onetime Can-Am League umpire Will Little and former American Association arbiter Nick Bailey are in the AFL this autumn. Little also was selected to work the World Baseball Qualifying tournament in Germany.

COLABELLO STARTS HOT

First baseman Chris Colabello continues to swing a hot bat in the early going in Mexico. The Minnesota farmhand, who had been limited to seven seasons in the Can-Am League (mainly Worcester, MA) until this year when he drove in 98 runs for Class AA New Britain, CT, has gone 9-for-19 (.474) in his first five winter league games. He has collected five doubles and driven in five runs.

The next Insiderwill be delivered via email to subscribers on November 1.

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Monday, October 15, 2012

MANAGERIAL OPENING, PLAYER SALE AND OTHER ROSTER MOVES ALL IN THE NEWS

Yes, I have been away from this keyboard for too many days. Sorry, but some personal needs got in the way for a time.

But news from the Independent Baseball scene has not stopped, so I will attempt to catch up with some of it here while also congratulating the Long Island (NY) Ducks for winning the Atlantic League championship and getting ready for this week's Independent Baseball Insider column, which subscribers will receive Thursday evening.

We always expect a great many job shuffles this time of year. The most recent Independent team to go looking for a new manager are the Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs of the American Association. They say a "mutual decision" was reached with Manager Chris Miyake that a managerial change was best for the organization, and they have started a nation-wide search for a replacement.

Among players who got some time in the major leagues this season, Toronto righty pitchers Robert Coello (Edmonton and Calgary, Golden League) and Shawn Hill (York, PA, Atlantic League) have opted for free agency instead of possibly continuing in the Blue Jays minor league system. Hill had a meteoric season of starting at York and finishing in the majors.

Outfielder Justin Christian (Southern Maryland, Atlantic, and River City, Frontier League), who finished the season with the parent San Francisco Giants, has gone back to the team's Triple-A roster in Fresno, CA.

FARGO'S BYRD AND BOLESKA INK NEW AGREEMENTS

We will see a great many of the approximately 200 onetime Indy stars now in major league farm systems (especially among the more seasoned players) become free agents later this fall, but one who does not need to worry over the offseason is Darren Byrd because Milwaukee has given the right-hander a new contract. Byrd, who turns 26 next week, was placed on the Triple-A Nashville roster after spending his summer making 50 appearances one level lower at Huntsville, AL, where he compiled a 2.59 earned run average while going 3-5 with six saves and striking out nearly one batter per inning. Byrd was a starting pitcher for a brief time at Fargo, ND when the RedHawks still were in the Northern League in 2010 before his contract was sold to the Brewers.

Meanwhile, Fargo's 2012 closer, Tom Boleska, who set a team record with 29 saves (2-1, 1.76) and was the American Association's Relief Pitcher of the Year, had his contract purchased by Minnesota. Boleska struck out 58 hitters in 46 innings. He finished the '11 season with Edmonton of the North American League.

ENTIRE NEW RADIO TEAM EXPECTED IN HOUSTON

A broadcasting job site indicates the Houston Astros are in the market for an entirely new radio team with veteran Milo Hamilton retiring and the contracts of Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan not being renewed. Raymond had gone directly to the Astros from Brockton, MA of the Can-Am League a few years ago.

CHAMP SUMMERS PASSES AWAY

Although he will best be remembered nationally as an 11-year major league outfielder and part of San Diego's 1984 World Series team, Champ Summers later became the first manager of the Gateway Grizzlies at Sauget, IL in the Frontier League.

Summers led the Grizzlies in 2001. He passed away last week at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.




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Monday, October 01, 2012

EVEN THE OPPOSING METS CHEERING FOR ADAM GREENBERG'S NEXT BIG MOMENT TUESDAY NIGHT

Adam Greenberg even has the opposition cheering for him for Tuesday night's second-in-a-lifetime major league plate appearance.

"What a story", National League Cy Young Award candidate R. A. Dickey told Newsday. Dickey will be the New York Mets' starting pitcher against the host Miami Marlins, although he will not necessarily face Greenberg since the Marlins have not said when Greenberg will step to the plate for the first time in a major league game since he was beaned in his very first contest in the National League in 2005.

"I know our guys will be on the top step clapping for him when he gets in the batter's box," Mets Manager Terry Collins told the newspaper's Marc Carig. Added Collins: "I'm anxious to certainly have the chance to wish him luck, tell him that we all support his charge back to try to become a major league player again...I tell you what, he obviously had some great skills because there's a lot of guys that didn't get one at-bat for lots of reasons."

Greenberg's last professional team, the Bridgeport Bluefish, located not far from the outfielder's home in Guilford, CT, also are keyed up for the game. The will have two flat-screen television sets carrying the SNY telecast of the game (7:10 start), and have invited all of their Atlantic League fans to join them in the Harbor Club at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport to watch Greenberg.

The Bluefish are providing appetizers and beverages and will have a cash bar, only requiring a $5 donation. Net proceeds will be donated to Sports Legacy Institute, an organization proving study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma. Fans should RSVP by noon EDT Tuesday if they plan to attend by calling 203 345-4800 or emailing info@bridgeportbluefish.com.

Good luck Adam!

A LONG 60 MINUTES

One would have to believe D. J. Ponder might have wished he was back in the Evansville, IN bullpen instead of getting his first collegiate start at quarterback for Tulane last Saturday.

Ponder managed a decent 21-for-44 passing day with one touchdown, but the 2012 Frontier League pitcher also was intercepted three times and the winless Green Wave took at 63-10 drubbing at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe.


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Saturday, September 29, 2012

SHAWN HILL AND STEVE DELABAR COME UP BIG IN HANDING YANKEES KEY LOSS

Score another one for Independent Baseball.

Shawn Hill, who was with York, PA in the Atlantic League until June 18, made his first major league appearance since 2010 Saturday, and it was a dandy. The right-hander hurled three hitless innings (two walks) while Toronto was coming back to hand the New York Yankees a major loss, 3-2. Eight of his nine outs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings were on ground balls. The loss cut the Yankees' American League East lead to one-half game pending Baltimore's game against Boston Saturday night.

Steve Delabar, a veteran of two Independent leagues, worked a scoreless eighth inning for the Blue Jays although he also walked a pair. Delabar pitched for Brockton, MA of the Can-Am League and Florence, KY of the Frontier League.

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Friday, September 28, 2012

HOW IS THIS FOR A CHANGE? FROM FRONTIER LEAGUE TO STARTING QB FOR TULANE

It is not often that I offer college football tips in this space, but today is an exception.

That's because D. J. Ponder, who tried his hand at professional baseball for a time this summer before being released, is not only back in football as a fifth-year senior at Tulane but also will get his first collegiate start Saturday when the winless Green Wave host the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Ponder missed spring football because he was the closer for Tulane's baseball team (2-1, 12 saves, 1.10 ERA, second team all-Conference USA) and much of the fall training camp after joining the Frontier League's Evansville (IN) Otters in mid-season. "You could tell he was an incredible athlete," Otters media relations director and radio broadcaster Mike Radomski said Friday, but the debut as a professional did not pan out as Ponder gave up nine runs in as many innings spread over seven appearances. He did get a victory in his only decision.

"(Ponder is) experienced," Tulane football coach Curtis Johnson said in a school media release. "He knows what to do. He's a good player. He's not a young guy so you like the experience factor. I don't think anything is too big for D. J. D.J.'s been in baseball. Just being out there, I don't think it's too big for him."

The Green Wave have had two previous starting quarterbacks go down with injuries. Ponder has appeared in 21 games in his career, including seven last season, and has completed 26 of 62 passes for 266 yards.

ONETIME GRAND PRAIRIE HURLER TO ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Longtime Independent Baseball player David Espinosa (Lincoln, NE, American Association, plus York, PA and Southern Maryland of the Atlantic League in 2012) pointed out we missed one former Indy star in our original list of players headed to the Arizona Fall League.

Right-handed pitcher Chris Martin and Espinosa were teammates at Grand Prairie, TX in the American Association two years ago. Martin was signed by Boston at the end of that season, and the Red Sox obvious like the 26-year-old since he will represent them in the prestigious league that starts next month. Martin was 3-6, 4.48 in 23 games, including 12 starts, at Double-A Portland, ME this season.

The switch-hitting Espinosa, a 12-year veteran, is with York in the Atlantic League playoffs.

The AFL players with Indy experience we named earlier are lefty James Paxton (Seattle), who also pitched at Grand Prairie, southpaw Caleb Thielbar (Minnesota), who was at St. Paul, MN in the same league, and right-hander Kevin Johnson (Los Angeles Angels), still another American Association product when Pensacola, FL was in the league.

Paxton starred in the recent Southern League playoffs, winning Game 1 in both series for Jackson, TN and totaling 19 strikeouts. The highly-regarded prospect called the latter outing against eventual champion Mobile, AL "the biggest start of my professional career, for sure".

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Friday, September 21, 2012

LANCASTER SETS NEW ATLANTIC LEAGUE RECORD FOR WINS; INDY WELL REPRESENTED IN WBC

When Lancaster, PA outlasted Bridgeport, CT 11-9 in nearly four hours Thursday night, the Barnstormers gave themselves a huge present and dealt the Bluefish a major blow to their playoff hopes.

Butch Hobson's Barnstormers now own the Atlantic League's single-season wins record with 87, eclipsing the mark set by Somerset, NJ three years ago. As for Bridgeport, it now needs a sweep at Somerset this weekend and a Lancaster sweep at Southern Maryland (Waldorf) to give Willie Upshaw's troops any hopes of overtaking the Blue Crabs and getting into the postseason. It looks like second-year skipper Patrick Osborn will get to match up against first-half champion Long Island, NY in one playoff series while Lancaster and two-time defending champion York, PA will square off in the other series.

WBC UPDATE

We got into some news regarding the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in yesterday's Independent Baseball Insidercolumn (subscriptions available via www.WirzandAssociates.com), and added research today has our count of current and former Independent players on the rosters of the 16 countries vying to get into next spring's competition up to 33. There mostly likely are even more.

Spain, which blanked France 8-0 Thursday night, accounts for at least 11 players itself, including seven who were in Indy leagues this summer. First baseman Barbaro Canizares of American Association champion Winnipeg had a home run among his two hits in the Spaniard's opener. He drove in two runs.

Infielder Paco Figueroa (Southern Maryland) went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs while shortstop Yunesky Sanchez of Laredo, TX (American Association) was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run. Nick Schumacher of Sioux City, IA (American Association) got the win when he allowed only four hits in 6.1 innings.

The other 2012 Indy players with Spain are hurlers Eddie Morlan of Southern Maryland and Richard Salazar of Sioux City, outfielder Yasser Gomez of McAllen, TX (United/NAL).
Infielders Rene Leveret of Quebec (Can-Am League) and Carlos Hereaud of Edinburg, TX (United/NAL) had two of the five hits for France.

At least eight of the countries have players with an Independent background.

INDY LEAGUERS BOTH WIN AND LOSE

I wonder how many fans noticed the American League game last weekend when Craig Breslow got a victory for Boston and Steve Delabar took the loss for Toronto. It was a rare event in that both played in Independent Baseball, Breslow with the New Jersey Jackals when they still were in the Northeast League and Delabar with Brockton, MA of the Can-Am League. Delabar also has experience with Florence, KY of the Frontier League.


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Friday, September 14, 2012

FIGUEROA, PAXTON SHINE IN PLAYOFFS AND SAINTS TO GET A NEW HOME

Nelson Figueroa added one more neat line to his lengthy baseball resume Thursday night when the 38-year-old right-hander lifted Pawtucket, RI (Red Sox farm club) to the International League championship with a strong six-inning start in a 4-1 triumph that ousted Charlotte, NC (Chicago White Sox).

Figueroa, who pitched briefly in the Atlantic League (Long Island, NY) in 2006 and has major league time with Arizona, Philadelphia (twice), Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, the New York Mets and Houston, allowed seven hits and a run. He had to work out of a first and third, no-out situation in the sixth with the strikeout of Seth Loman (St. George, UT, Golden League) the first out.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION'S PAXTON ALSO SHARP

Another strong playoff performance we did not get into yesterday's Independent Baseball Insider column was James Paxton's 7.1 innings of work in leading Jackson, TN to an 8-1 Game 1 triumph over Mobile, AL (Arizona) in the Class AA Southern League Championship Series.

Paxton, the Grand Prairie, TX (American Association) prospect, struck out 10 and was touched for only an unearned run. "James pitched great this whole postseason...the second half of the season," Manager Jim Pankovits told The Jackson Sun.

The highly-regarded Seattle prospect is due to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, and no doubt will be in the Mariners' spring training camp in February.

MAUI SPLITS IN JAPAN

I am not certain what to make of it, but the North American League's Na Koa Ikaika Maui split two games in Japan with a semi-pro team known as the Ishikawa Million Stars. The more important aspect seems to be continuing discussions about creating what has been called a World Independent Baseball League. It may be an outlet for the two teams the NAL has in Hawaii if there is sufficient backing to make a new league work. We are told the entire trip was being captured on video, and the games were broadcast back to home fans in Maui.

SAINTS TO HAVE A NEW STADIUM

After years of planning and lobbying, it appears the American Association's St. Paul (MN) Saints finally will get a new stadium. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed off on a $25 million state bond project to make it happen.

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Sunday, September 09, 2012

INDY GRADS SHOW UP EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING KEY ROLES IN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

It seems just about anywhere I look there is a reminder of how much former Independent players are making an impact.

The latest example popped up today when I saw that Charlotte had advanced to the International League playoff championship. The Knights just eliminated Indianapolis.

I had just seen where the parent Chicago White Sox had promoted four players to Charlotte, their top farm club. Sure enough, one of them played a major role in the deciding game. That was first baseman Seth Loman, who once played in the Golden League (St. George, UT). Loman not only hit cleanup, he drove in two runs in the series finale, won by Charlotte, 6-4. He had a double and sacrifice fly, and it gave him six runs batted in for the four-game series.

Righty Brandon Kloess (Windy City, Frontier League) worked in relief although he was touched for two hits and a run without retiring anyone. Dan Remenowsky, also out of Windy City, which is located in Crestwood, IL, and Ryan Kussmaul (Southern Illinois, Frontier) also were promoted shortly before the playoffs.

The neatest part of this story, to me, is that all three of the pitchers, now one step from the major leagues, got their professional start in Independent Baseball. Chances are they would not be in the game today without the Indy opportunity.

On the losing side, lefty Kris Johnson (Kansas City, KS, American Association), started the game for Indianapolis, but gave up three runs in 1.2 innings. Logan Kensing (Bridgeport, CT, Atlantic League) hurled 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

CATCHING UP WITH SOME LATE INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING FALL LEAGUE ASSIGNMENTS

The transaction wire has been quiet so far on this last day of August, but some of the major league roster additions will start coming through soon with the September 1 expansion at hand. Unless the players are extremely urgent for postseason-contending teams, most of those called up will not be announced until most of the higher affiliated leagues close things out on Monday. Even then, some of the players may be involved in playoffs. We have no reason to back off of the suggestions we made of Indy players deserving of a big-league chance in yesterday's Independent Baseball Insider column.

CAN-AM LEAGUE STILL WANTS A TEAM IN WORCESTER

It has to be reasurring to fans in Worcester that the Can-Am League still wants to have a team in that Massachusetts community if it can find suitable ownership. The Can-Am pulled the membership from Streamlined Sports, Inc. Friday, where charges of unpaid bills have become much greater in recent days. The Tornadoes will finish the season as scheduled Saturday-Monday in Newark, NJ.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE NEXT FOR THIS TRIO

Three former American Association players are included in rosters announced so far for the Arizona Fall League, where a very solid ranking is vital before a major league team will commit a roster spot.

James Paxton (Grand Prairie, TX), who we still believe could pitch for the parent Seattle Mariners in September, will be on the pitching staff of the Peoria Javelinas along with fellow southpaw Caleb Thielbar (St. Paul, MN). Thielbar is in Triple-A for Minnesota while Paxton has been working in Class AA. Right-hander Kevin Johnson, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels while he was at Pensacola, FL, will be with the Scottsdale Scorpions. Johnson has been working in Double-A.

Both Paxton and Johnson got their professional start in the American Association.

ERIC JUNGE GETS A NEW OPPORTUNITY

Onetime Lancaster (PA) Barnstormer and Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish pitcher Eric Junge, who was in the Atlanta farm system until recently, has now been signed by Colorado and is with the Rockies' top farm club in Colorado Springs.


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Monday, August 27, 2012

WHILE PREDICTION IS COMING ON POSSIBLE SEPTEMBER RECALLS, FIRST TEAM CHAMP HAS BEEN CROWNED

The first end-of-season champion has been crowned with the first-year San Rafael (CA) Pacifics taking two-of-three from Maui to win the North American League's North Division title.

Edinburg, TX has all but wrapped up the South Division (or United League) title with a four and one half-game advantage over Rio Grande Valley (Harlingen, TX). Fort Worth is another one-half game behind with the season ending this week.

TRACKING SOME ELITE INDY GRADUATES

It may be a long shot in most of the cases to follow with regard to a major league call-up, but we wanted to track how the season has gone for several players who have major league time or have been on the brink and are playing in Triple-A.

1B-3B Mike Cervenak is having another outstanding season with the bat for Miami's New Orleans club (we hope it stays reasonably dry this hurricane week), hitting .345 with 13 homers and 55 RBI. Not a youngster anymore, Cervenak has only a few major league games (Philadelphia) for his otherwise distinguished career that started at Chillicothe, OH in the Frontier League in 1999 and 2000.

RHP Brian Sweeney, who started at Lafayette, IN in the Heartland League way back in '96 and has some major league time with the Padres and Mariners, is 6-3 with a save and a 4.57 ERA for the M's Tacoma farm club. Sweeney has 54 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.

INF Michael Hollimon (Grand Prairie, TX, American Association), who toiled with the Minnesota Twins to the very end of spring training, has been bothered by injuries at Rochester, NY and has but a .213 average with five homers and 13 batted in for his 155 at-bats.

C Rene Rivera (Camden, NJ, Atlantic League), who spent much of the '11 season with the parent Twins and is better known for his defense, has a .215-8-29 season in 265 at-bats for Rochester.

RHP Eric Hamren (Joliet, IL and Kansas City, KS when both were in the Northern League) logged quite a bit of time with San Diego one year ago, and this season he has nine saves, a 2-5 record and a 3.88 ERA with Triple-A Tucson. Hamren has fanned 54 in only 46.1 innings.

LHP Mike O'Connor (Southern Maryland, Atlantic) went to spring training hoping to be one of the portside options in the Yankees' bullpen. He has logged a lot of innings (100) at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA and has a 3-6 record and 3.78 ERA.

FORECAST COMING ON SOLID CANDIDATES FOR SEPTEMBER IN MAJORS

We plan to devote a portion of Thursday's Independent Baseball Insider to predicting for subscribers the former Independent players we believe deserve an opportunity in the major leagues before the season ends. We feel several players could be in the mix based on their history, season performance and their team's needs.


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Friday, August 24, 2012

MATCH THIS ROGER. SPACEMAN BILL LEE HURLS COMPLETE GAME AT AGE 65

Roger Clemens's task of making an impressive comeback as a 50-year-old when he pitches for the Sugar Land (TX) Skeeters in a nationally-televised Atlantic League game Saturday night (ESPN Classic)may be a little tougher today thanks to a sterling performance by 65-year-old Bill (Spaceman) Lee Thursday night.

While the second-year North American League isn't likely to strike fear in the more established Atlantic League anytime soon, Lee's performance deserves attention.

The lefty went all nine innings in pitching host San Rafael, CA to a 9-4 victory over rival Maui, HA before a capacity crowd of 1,265 at Albert Park. Those two teams are now tied for the North Division lead heading into a pre-arranged three-game playoff series starting Friday night.

"One of the greatest performances I've ever seen on a baseball field," proclaimed San Rafael manager and longtime major league outfielder Mike Marshall. "I feel like Jack Buck, 'I can't believe what I just saw', said Marshall in quoting the late, legendary Buck's comment after Kirk Gibson's dramatic pinch-hit home run in the 1988 World Series.

Lee allowed eight hits and did not walk or strike out a single hitter.

Lee had high praise for his batterymate, D. J. Dixon, who was born in December of 1982, the same year the pitcher finished his major league career. "We worked fast," Lee said, "and the guys played well. (Maui) thought they had a walk in the park, and now they gotta scramble for the next three games." Dixon gave the Pacifics their final lead with a bases-clearing extra base hit.

Lee also hit ninth and drove in San Rafael's first run with a line single to right in the fifth inning.

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Monday, August 20, 2012

ROGER CLEMENS TO PITCH AT LEAST ONCE FOR SUGAR LAND IN ATLANTIC LEAGUE

The debut season of the Atlantic League's lone team (so far) in the southwest, Sugar Land, TX, very likely is going to end up with the Skeeters on the outside during the playoffs, but that does not mean Gary Gaetti's team will merely be playing out the string in the final five weeks of the season.

They made their biggest splash to date on Monday when news broke that seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens is ending nearly five years on the sidelines to join the star-studded Skeeters rotation that also includes former major leaguers Scott Kazmir, Tim Redding and outfielder-turned-pitcher Jason Lane.

Clemens will be available to answer questions at a media conference at Constellation Field at 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday, the Skeeters said on their website, and will be in uniform Friday and start Saturday.

"He had great command of all his pitches (during a workout Monday), and we couldn't be more excited about this signing," said special team advisor and longtime major league executive Tal Smith, the team reported on www.sugarlandskeeters.com. Clemens reached 87 miles per hour on the radar gun Monday, Mark Berman of Fox26 in Houston reported.

"It is at this point a fun, local one time kind of thing," Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, told USA Today. "If he does well, he will probably make at least one more home start."

Sugar Land is averaging an Independent Baseball-high 6,649 fans per game this season, with the season total at 359,027. The Skeeters say limited tickets are available for Saturday's game against the Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish.

Clemens, 50, last pitched for the New York Yankees in 2007. He was acquitted on all charges this summer that he obstructed justice and lied to Congress. Clemens was subject to a federal investigation after telling Congress he never used steroids or human growth hormone.

Sugar Land has a 47-60 record for the 140-game season, and currently is five and a half games out of the second half Freedom Division lead and nine games out of a possible wild card playoff berth.

HOORELBEKE NEW INDEPENDENT HOME RUN KING

It took a move such as the signing of Roger Clemens to take the spotlight away from first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke, who became Independent Baseball's all-time home run king with his 164th and 165th round-trippers during the weekend.

Hoorelbeke broke the mark held by outfielder Glenn Murray, who hit 163 homers between 1999 and 2006 with Nashua, NH when that city was in the Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues.

We will flush out more details for this week's Independent Baseball Insider, which reaches subscribers Thursday evening.

PRIOR, PATTERSON RELEASED

Former major league standout Mark Prior, who once played Independent Baseball in the Golden League (Orange County, Fullerton, CA) in his attempt to get back to the majors, has been released by Boston's Triple-A farm club in Pawtucket, RI. While Prior's work at Pawtucket had been encouraging in June and much of July, his control weakened and he had a 6.75 ERA for 6.2 innings this month. The onetime Chicago Cubs star was 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA in 19 relief appearances with the Pawsox.

Meanwhile, another right-hander, Scott Patterson, was released out of Buffalo, NY only weeks after the New York Mets signed him. Patterson, who pitched briefly in the majors, started his professional career in the Indy ranks with the Gateway Grizzlies at Sauget, IL (Frontier League) and started relieving during stints with Lancaster, PA in the Atlantic League.

One prediction from this corner came true when outfielder Justin Christian re-joined the San Francisco Giants after the 50-game suspension of Melky Cabrera. Christian is in his second stint of the season with playoff-contending San Francisco. He also started his pro career in the Frontier League (River City, O'Fallon, MO) and later worked in the Atlantic League for Southern Maryland (Waldorf). Christian went 0-for-7 in three weekend games against San Diego.



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Thursday, August 16, 2012

THINKING ABOUT JUSTIN CHRISTIAN, AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX AND OTHERS ON 'INSIDER' DAY

A few thoughts while gearing up for today's Independent Baseball Insider column:

I cannot help but wonder if Justin Christian (Southern Maryland, Atlantic League, and River City, Frontier League) may get another look from the San Francisco Giants because of the 50-game ban handed out to Melky Cabrera. It did not help that Christian hit less than .200 in his last stint with the Giants although sporadic play is much more difficult than being in the lineup on a regular basis.

The Giants have two openings on the roster. Christian is at a lofty .343 in 72 games for Triple-A Fresno, but has only hit .250 (11-for-44) with four doubles, a triple and three RBI over the last 10 games.

GOLDEN LEAGUER GETS A NEW JOB

Right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx (Victoria, BC, Golden League) was idle only a very short time after being released by Washington before Colorado signed the 27-year-old.

The Oregonian had been a non-roster invitee to the Nationals' spring training camp, but he struggled to a 5.59 ERA for 29 appearances (two starts) with Triple-A Syracuse. The Rockies have Bibens-Dirkx with their top farm club in Colorado Springs where he gave up three runs in his first inning of work for the team Wednesday.

FARGO TOPS 3,000,000

Congratulations to the Fargo (ND) RedHawks for reaching the 3,000,000 mark in attendance for 17 years of Independent play this week. They have been a very steady draw in a rather isolated community, and Doug Simunic's constant contending teams have built a lot of equity for the American Association club.

A GOOD READ

Anyone who wants a nice look at life on the road with an Independent team should search out the August 11 Winnipeg Free Pressfor the lengthy story Randy Turner filed while on the road with the American Association's Winnipeg Goldeyes.

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Friday, August 10, 2012

PATTERSON IN NEW UNIFORM; THIS TIME AT BUFFALO

Scott Patterson's latest opportunity did not get off to a great start this week when he gave up three hits and two runs and took a loss in a one-inning stint for the New York Mets' Buffalo, NY farm club.

Patterson, whose first four and a half years were in Independent Baseball (Gateway, Sauget, IL, Frontier League, and Lancaster, PA, Atlantic League), started the season with Seattle's top farm club in Tacoma, WA, where he had a 2.89 ERA (1-3, four saves) in 26 relief outings.

The big right-hander (6-7), now 33, got into his only four major league games with San Diego and the New York Yankees back in 2008. He has been in Triple-A since except for a brief refresher at Lancaster in 2010 and time at Jackson, TN last season.

FOLLOWING RECENT OUTINGS IN AFFILIATED LEAGUES

We checked up on several players who recently had their contracts purchased by major league organizations and are doing well, but could not fit them into yesterday's Independent Baseball Insidercolumn.

Lanky lefty Mike Tarsi, taken away from Bridgeport, CT (Atlantic League), has won his only decision and has a 2.16 ERA for Atlanta's Double-A farm (Mississippi). He has 11 strikeouts in 8.1 innings.

RHP Andrew Aizenstadt, who went from Wichita, KS of the American Association to the Philadelphia system, has a perfect ERA for his first 8.1 innings at Williamsport, PA and has allowed only three hits and no walks while fanning 10.

Infielder Terry Tiffee (Lancaster) is hitting .317 for Atlanta's top club at Gwinnett, GA, but only has 63 at-bats. He has homered twice with 10 RBI.

Somerset, NJ (Atlantic League) right-hander Mike Solbach hurled 7.2 scoreless innings at Modesto, CA before Colorado jumped him to Double-A Tulsa, OK, where his two appearances and innings have been scoreless.

Third baseman Chris Curley, signed by the White Sox from Florence, KY of the Frontier League earlier this season, has driven in 19 runs and homered eight times in only 104 times at bat for Kannapolis, NC. He is hitting .240 for the Class A team.

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Monday, August 06, 2012

BRANDON KINTZLER PART OF AN 11-WALK NO-HITTER

A few odds and ends while getting ready for this week's Independent Baseball Insider
column on Thursday:

Brandon Kintzler's season has not been what he expected because of early-season injuries, but he will have one oddball game--a no-hitter, no less--to talk about when he looks back on the year.

Now closing games for Milwaukee's Double-A farm club in Huntsville, AL, the righty finished up a 3-1 no-hit win against Chattanooga, TN (Dodgers) over the weekend.

He was the last of five hurlers who worked for the Stars, and the stars in the sky must have had an unusual alignment because the four who appeared ahead of Kintzler walked 11 batters. Yes, 11 walks and still a no-no. Kintzler, whose Independent experience came at St. Paul, MN (American Association) and Winnipeg (before the Goldeyes left the Northern League for the Association), struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn his seventh save.

SAD TO SEE CHRISTIAN SENT DOWN

With San Francisco still very much in the thick of a postseason berth and also continuing to tinker with its roster, Justin Christian was a victim, going back to Triple-A Fresno, CA. But since the outfielder is still on the 40-man roster one would have to believe he will be back to the National League team, at least come September 1.

Christian started in pro baseball in the Frontier League (River City, O'Fallon, MO) and later played for Southrn Maryland (Waldorf) in the Atlantic League.

BASEBALL TAKES BACK SEAT TO MOM, EDUCATION

Defending Frontier League champion Joliet, IL probably will not make this year’s playoffs, but the Slammers took a body blow nevertheless recently when all-star second baseman Hector Pellot left for home in Puerto Rico for the remainder of the season for two noble reasons. He is an only child and his mother, Nivea, has been diagnosed with cancer and has other medical issues and Pellot, who spent five years in the New York Mets chain, plans to start studying physics at the University of Puerto Rico.

“I was a good student all my life,” the 25-year-old told The Chicago Sun-Times. “I would like to go to medical school. That’s going to be my goal.” Pellot’s .319 regular season average and a .500 batting average along with two homers and five RBI were key to Joliet’s first-year playoff run.


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Monday, July 30, 2012

NEW MAJOR LEAGUE LIFE FOR LEW FORD AND NEW LIFE FOR JARRETT GRUBE

Can anyone imagine how Lew Ford must be feeling today?

After being out of the major leagues since 2007 and playing his first 19 games of this season in the Atlantic League, Ford, who turns 36 in two weeks (August 12), is not only back in the American League but he and his Baltimore Orioles teammates are starting a series against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

That is only an hour or so from Citibank Park in Central Islip, NY where the Long Island Ducks play. The Ducks were Ford's team for those 19 early-season games as well as for parts of the '09 and '11 seasons--183 games in all.

Baltimore summoned the outfielder from Triple-A Norfolk, VA Sunday and played Ford in leftfield in their 6-1 triumph over Oakland. The right-handed hitter went 0-for-3 with a walk, but he earned national television highlight time by throwing out Yoenis Cespedes as the touted rookie tried to stretch a single into a double.

Ford brought a .331 average (80-for-242) with him from Triple-A, including 28 extra-base hits (11 homers) and 40 RBI plus a .390 on-base percentage for 62 games. He hit .272 in 494 games for Minnesota between 2003 and 2007, including 154 and 147 games in back-to-back seasons.

GRUBE GETS A NEW LIFE

Only days after being let go by the Seattle farm system, onetime Southern Maryland (Atlantic League) right-hander Jarrett Grube has been given a new deal in the Los Angeles Angels organization. He has been pitching in Triple-A.

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Friday, July 27, 2012

TRACKING ED NOTTLE AND SOME RECENT AFFILIATED MINOR LEAGUE OUTINGS

How nice it is to see Ed Nottle feeling sufficiently chipper after his various illnesses to be back in a baseball uniform.

Nottle is in familiar haunts, too, back in Brockton, MA, where he is a coach for the Futures Collegiate League's Brockton Rox. That name is very familiar, of course, since it is the same name used by the pro teams that played at Campanelli Stadium in the Northeast and Can-Am Leagues through last season.

Nottle managed the Rox from '02-05, including the '03 NEL championship season.

FRONTIER LEAGUE GRAD SHINES ON MOUND WHILE OPPOSING TOP DRAFTEE

Onetime Boston farmhand Michael Lee dazzled Frontier League hitters for a time this season as he struck out 59 hitters and allowed only 30 hits in 41 innings for Rockford, IL before his contract was purchased by the Atlanta Braves.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander gave Atlanta an early bonus this week when he out-pitched the Washington Nationals' top draft choice of 2011, Alex Meyer, to give the Class A Lynchburg (VA) Hillcats a 3-1 verdict over Potomac, VA. Lee allowed only four baserunners in eight innings to run his Lynchburg log to 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA for four appearances, two of them starts.

"It (Independent Baseball) helped me to get my confidence up and just go back to being me," the 25-year-old told The Lynchburg News & Advance.

BURKE, RETHERFORD GETTING CHANCES AT HIGHER LEVELS

Two players we hoped to salute in yesterday's Independent Baseball Insiderbefore running out of space were former major league pitcher Greg Burke and onetime American Association (Fargo, ND) infielder C. J. Retherford, both recently promoted.

Burke, who started his pro career in the Atlantic League (Atlantic City, NJ) and worked his way up to the San Diego Padres before shoulder surgery set him back, could be nearing the time where Baltimore gives him another major league opportunity. After saving 14 games and winning another (1-0) at Double-A Bowie, MD, the Birds promoted him to their top farm club in Norfolk, VA where he has a 2.70 ERA (one loss) and 16 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.

Retherford is the No. 2 hitter in the California League (.343), tied for second in home runs (20) and has 72 RBI although he has been promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, TN, where he is hitting .243 for his first 37 at-bats (four RBI).

Lefty reliever Les Walrond has not been so fortunate. It was only a week after Toronto purchased his contract from Lancaster, PA (Atlantic League) that the Blue Jays released Walrond. He only worked four innings at Class AA New Hampshire (Manchester), giving up four runs (only one earned) along with four walks. Not much of an opportunity.

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Monday, July 23, 2012

WIN NO. 1,000 NEXT FOR SPARKY LYLE; TSAMIS GETS TO 500 WITH HIS CURRENT TEAM

This could be a major milestone night for longtime major league relief ace Sparky Lyle.

Not only are his Somerset (NJ) Patriots trying to challenge for a second half title in the Atlantic League, but the next victory will be No. 1,000 for the mustachioed lefty who has guided Somerset for every one of its 15 seasons.

Sparky got No. 999 Sunday--his 68th birthday--at Southern Maryland (Waldorf). The Patriots are home tonight, hosting Sugar Land, TX, which leads them by one and a half games in the second half of the Freedom Division race.

ST. PAUL SKIPPER GETS NO. 500

George Tsamis has not been managing quite as long as Lyle and he has always been in leagues known to play a short-season schedule--about 100 games compared to 140--but he collected his 500th win with the St. Paul (MN) Saints (American Association) over the weekend. Tsamis also has managed in Waterbury, CT and Little Falls, NJ (New Jersey Jackals) when both played in the Northeast League. The Jackals are now in the Can-Am League.

THE AXE FALLS

Jarrett Grube, Chris Pettit and Taylor Sinclair are the most recent former Independent players to get pink slips (releases) from major league organizations.

Grube pitched for Southern Maryland in the Atlantic League, and has been with Seattle's top farm club in Tacoma, WA. Sinclair started his pro career at Rockford, IL of the Frontier League and made it all the way to Arizona's Triple-A club in Reno, NV before losing out. Pettit, an outfielder, did not actually play Indy baseball, but he was set to do so at Bridgeport, CT (Atlantic League) before joining the Mariners. Like Grube, he was at Tacoma.

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