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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