PUERTO RICO STARTER IN WBC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WAS AN ATLANTIC LEAGUE RELIEVER IN '05

Every time I think we have nailed down a full list of the Independent players who have been in this year's exciting World Baseball Classic another name pops up.  The latest one is very important today since he will be the starting pitcher for Puerto Rico in tonight's championship game against the Dominican Republic.

 

Right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado was in the Atlantic League back in 2005, working as a reliever for both the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers and the Newark (NJ) Bears, the latter now in the Can-Am League.

 

Another who was identified recently was Team Italy shortstop Anthony Granato.  Chris Carminucci pointed out that Granato played for Atlantic City, NJ when the Surf were in the Can-Am.  Chris, now a scout for Arizona, should know since he was the Atlantic City manager at the time.

 

CURT SMITH JOINS TWINS ORGANIZATION

 

We mentioned in last week's Independent Baseball Insider column that Netherlands first baseman Curt Smith was one of the three Indy players who we felt had especially helped themselves with their performances in the WBC.  Smith, who was scheduled to play in the Atlantic League (Lancaster), has signed with the Minnesota Twins.

 

Smith, a .335 hitter in the American Association in 2011 (Lincoln, NE), and another of the trio we singled out, longtime Can-Am League star Chris Colabello (Worcester, MA), could end up being teammates in the Twins' farm system.  Colabello was a surprisingly early cut after the WBC, getting only two additional at-bats before being sent to the minor league camp.

 

Others trimmed recently from major league camps include Robert Coello by the Los Angeles Angels, Bo Schultz from Arizona, and Caleb Thielbar from the Twins.  Thursday's Insider will focus on some of the Indy grads who seem to have a decent chance of being on Opening Day major league rosters.

 

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