Friday, February 01, 2013

LINCOLN GETS BOOST WITH NEW SKIPPER KEN OBERKFELL MANAGING DOMINICANS IN CARIBBEAN SERIES

A few quick hits heading into the weekend when the on-the-field baseball highlight is the start of the week-long Caribbean Series.

The Dominican team is being managed by longtime major leaguer and frequent Independent boss Ken Oberkfell.  This must make the Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs feel good since Oberkfell will be at their helm when the American Association season starts.  It is his first season with Linchln.  It surely cannot hurt recruiting, either.

TRIPLE CROWN NOT ONLY TREAT FOR BUSCHINI

Adam Buschini, who as we reported won the Triple Crown in Australia, has now signed to play in the San Diego farm system.  After his .354-14-70 summer at Amarillo, TX (American Association) and the terrific winter in Australia 50 RBI in 45 games and the first Triple Crown that league has seen, the 25-year-old infielder will be in position to try capitalizing on an affiliated job.  He was only so-so in two Class A seasons with Philadelphia, but he was only 23 when released.  Buschini played in the North American League (Chico, CA) in 2011.

SO SAD

Wichita, KS bench coach Brian Rose, only 34, lost his three-year battle with cancer.  "Brian Rose was one of the strongest individuals I will ever know," praised popular Wingnuts Manager Kevin Hooper.

NON-ROSTER INVITES UP TO 31

Add New York Yankees southpaw Juan Cedeno (Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX, North American League) to the list of former Independent players with non-roster invitations to major league spring training camps.  This list is now at 31.

And, shortstop Jesus Merchan, whose contract was sold to San Diego after he had hit .391 in 115 at-bats for Lancaster, PA (Atlantic League) early last season, has re-signed with the Padres and is on their Triple-A roster.  It would not be a shock to see him get into an occasional major league game during spring training.  Merchan was on base 44 per cent of the time for the Barnstormers.

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