3 arrive, 5 gone
The Wild Things have made their first significant roster moves of the year, acquiring two players, reinstating one from the retired list and releasing five from last year's 48-48 team.
Washington reinstated infielder Jeff Beachum from the retired list, signed right-handed pitcher Jace Smith and acquired right-handed pitcher Justin Edwards from Worcester of the Can-Am League to complete a trade for pitcher Ryan Mitchell prior to last season. Released were pitchers Chris Rivera and Sam Mann, catcher Gerad Haran, second baseman Phil Butch and outfielder Rob Vernon.
The only real surprise was Butch being released, though you can argue that Rivera and Haran have potential.
Beachum began last year as the starting shortstop but a back injury limited him to 16 games (.294, 8 RBI). If Washington brings back Bret Grandstrand as expected, Beachum will likely move over to third base or second base.
Edwards, pictured, is a West Liberty State product who was used as both a pitcher and third baseman by Worcester. Edwards batted only .173 in 52 at-bats and was 1-0 with a 4.37 in 16 games (2 starts) as a pitcher. Edwards is a Wheeling central graduate, the all-time hits leader at West Liberty and the son of Wheeling Jesuit baseball coach Terry Edwards.
The Wild Things did not annouce the signing of Smith, though it is posted on the Frontier League's Web site. More details about Smith when I find them.
Labels: Chris Rivera, Gerad Heran, Jace Smith, Jeff Beachum, Justin Edwards, Phil Butch, Rob Vernon, Sam Mann
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:55 AM
25 Comments:
Conventional baseball wisdom says that Beachum will be at second. No power to speak of whatsoever. Can't waste that spot in the lineup as a 3B-man.
Smith won't be here long, if he even gets to camp.
1.15 ERA in 13 games with Arizona League (Kansas City).
1 ER in last 13+ innings of work.
Pitchers like that aren't in the FL.
If he is so good why is he here then??? Alot of the guys in the league put up good numbers in affiliated ball. Maradeo and Schellinger are two guys that put up pretty good numbers
Keep in mind that rookie-level statistics are not a good barometer for success/failure in the FL. Here are two examples from pitchers who, like Smith, came to Washington from the Royals system after playing in the rookie leagues:
Michael Hauff - 1-1, 1.35 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 20 IP in rookie ball. Was 1-1 with 6.65 ERA and couldn't throw the ball over the plate in 7 games (4 starts) with the Wild Things.
Matt McDonnell - An unimpressive 1-1, 4.25 ERA in rookie ball but won 17 games over two seasons for the Wild Things.
Good point.
Why Phil Butch?????
Why Phil Butch?
Beachem and Grandstrand are better hitters for average and about equal defense.
Hopefully this is the start of building a better roster compared the the disaster assembled last year. Even Jim Lealand could not have had a winning team with the disasterous roster of 2008.
Beachum is gone.
Traded, along with Zach Groh, to Gary of the Northern League, in exchange for closer Jon Lewis. Lewis is an L-2, joining all the other (too many) L-2's that have been previously listed: Schellinger, Hollenbeck, Raber, Dempsey, Messner.
Wild Things also announced (via press release) that they've signed Jace Smith (as Chris indicated yesterday). Has good Rookie League numbers, but, as Chris cautioned, they are Rookie League numbers.
sure Butch wasn't a great hitter, but it'll be hard to match his glove at second base,... other than Grandstrand he had the best hands i've seen at this level
Lewis played the last two years with Evansville. He was 0-1 with 9 saves and a 1.42 ERA in 19 games (19 IP). He gave up 12 hits and struck out 24. He was traded to Gary of the Northern League just before the all-star break. Lewis was 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 24 games for the RailCats. He is from Queens, N.Y.
In two years in the FL, Lewis pitched in only one game against the Wild Things, throwing two-thirds of an inning in 2007.
Lewis is indeed an L2, which adds to the logjam. You would think the Wild Things will bring Dempsey back, which means they must trade either Schellinger or Dunn. Maybe I'm wrong about Dempsey returning but I'd be stunned if he doesn't.
As for the discussion about second basemen, I'd give Kyle Werman the nod for best hands (easily the best at turning a double play) with Ryan Ellis having the best range.
I'm agreeing with CD on this one...Kyle Werman - better hands than butch.
Kinda surprise Butch was released... But Butch also seemed to be one of Jelks' guys so maybe that's the reason. What about Vernon? Never really gotten playing time anywhere but he is fast. 2 years ago Maz used him off the bench non-stop and he did pretty well filling in at times. He's still an R2 so why release him? I bet maz picks him up for Lake Erie...Not many opportunitites to pick up experienced guys as rookies like that. Even if he doesn't start everyday he's still going to steal bags and fill in as a leadoff hitter.
Any news on hollenbeck? Seems like the WT have unloaded a lot of returning pitching...
Definitely interested in what happens with the pitching staff...ala Dunn, JJ, and Schellinger.
There has to be atleast one more trade in the mix with all these guys sharing status.
Dunn? Dunn? Don't talk about Dunn. Are you nuts?
Don't talk about Dunn!
Now that Barock is incharge their had better be some blacks faces on this team.
Jamal
Jamal,
This is baseball, not basketball!
Don't talk about Dunn? The guy was by far the team's best pitcher at the end of last season.
Yeah we traded Dunn. And he was the best pitcher at the end of the season.
JJ Hollenbeck and Brooks Dunn have been traded to the Can-AM League.
I expect Hollenbeck to retire.
Don't know about Dunn.
Dunn? Don't talk about Dinn!!!!
Or dunn either!
Your right, you shouldn't talk about him cause he's gone, so no matter the attitude or the fact he didn't want to be there, the guy could flat out pitch and had the most experience of anyone on that team. Glad he's gone but wish Dunn the best
Agreed. He may not have been the best representation for the WT but on the mound he could pitch with just about anyone in the league.
I don't know how you guys can say that Brooks did not have a good attitude and not want to be here. Sure, anyone that gets released from affiliated ball does not want to be here. Knowing Brooks personally I know he is a hard worker that has alot of passion for his teams and the game of baseball. After being released Brooks still was on the Internet in the clubhouse checking how his old team (Lake Elsinore) was doing. Sorry he used a few choice words and showed that he cared about winning a baseball game for his team. Sorry 'bout it.
smith is a very good pitcher, if you look at his college numbers yoo can see that he doesnt walk alot of people and gets swings and outs. Other affiliated teams were looking at him but his size hurts him only being 5"10. The giants and cubs were looking to take him in the later rounds but passed on him. If there is a scout/team that will put aside the size and just look at his pitches and heart. He can contend in affilated ball. If he has luck on his side, the major leagues could use this kid as a middle relief inning eater. He has brains and heart. give this kid a chance
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