4 returnees, 2 newcomers, 1 retiree
The Wild Things announced several signings today and one retirement, which clears up the L2 roster problem.
Signing contracts for the 2009 season were shortstop Brett Grandstrand, designated hitter Jacob Dempsey (pictured), outfielder Tim Alberts and second baseman Chris Carrara. The Wild Things also announced the signing of two rookie pitchers, Brian Honeyman and Michael Mondesir, and that first baseman Nathan Messner has retired.
Grandstrand returns for his third season in Washington after posting career highs in batting average (.295), at-bats (295), runs (48), hits (87), home runs (4), RBI (47), and stolen bases (13). Grandstrand, who I consider best defensive shortstop in the Frontier League, has spent time in the Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay farm systems.
Grandstrand is currently the head baseball coach at Ringgold High School.
Dempsey was Washington's top offensive player last year and a league all-star. He hit .310 last season and led the league in games played (96), doubles (31), and RBI (88). He finished second in extra base hits (52) and fourth in total bases (203), walks (67) and on base percentage (.422). Dempsey's 31 doubles is a Wild Things single-season record, and his 88 RBI tied for the team record (Mike Arbinger 2005).
Carrara and Dempsey were teammates at Winthrop University and will be together for a second season in Washington. Carrara had a strong second half of the 2008 campaign and finished the year with a .285 batting average and 19 stolen bases.
Alberts also finished strong after signing with the Wild Things at midseason out of Niagara University. As a right fielder and DH, Alberts batted .289 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. He hit nine home runs at Consol Energy Park. Only a handful of players have hit that many home runs at CEP in half a season.
Honeyman and Mondesir have no pro experience. Honeyman was the East Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008 at NCAA Division II Queens (NY) College. During his senior season, Honeyman had a 6-0 record with three saves and a 2.20 ERA. Mondesir joins the Wild Things from Division II Dominican (NY) College, where he led all D2 pitchers with a 1.12 ERA and 5.3 hits allowed per game last season. he had a 6-2 record.
Messner was a Frontier League All-Star in 2007. He appeared in 80 games last
season, batting .261 with 21 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, and
47 RBI.
The re-signing of Dempsey and Messner's retirement means the Wild Things will likely begin the season with Dempsey and closer Jonathan Lewis as their two L2 players and go with three Veterans and seven L1s.
An updated roster will be posted later.
Labels: Brett Grandstrand, Brian Honeyman, Chris Carrara, Jacob Dempsey, Michael Mondesir, Tim Alberts
posted by Chris Dugan at
1:08 PM
16 Comments:
No way Dempsey has a repeat performance of last year. Too many holes in his swing. I saw him play towards the end of the year when people learned how to pitch to him. We should've traded him while we had the chance!!!
Very happy to see the 4 that are returning from last year. Good guys and ball players. Very happy to see Messner is done, they should have dumped him last year. It's a shame too, what a waste of talent. It seemed to me that he didn't care.
i think Dempsey will fair fine, he doesn't need to have a season like he had last year with Aaron Janusey now in the line-up, that kids got some power. The pressure will be off Dempsey to swing towards the fence every time. I actually wouldn't be surprised if hes batting 5th in the order because of it.
Chris, your take on how the batting order/starting line-up will shape up?
The novelty has worn off in Lil' Washington...lots of empty seats this year. Blame it in the economy if you want. We just need a better brand of baseball in Washington.
Dempsey might have an even better season this year with better hitters around him! Messner didn't offer much protection for Dempsey in the clean up spot. The '09 hitting lineup looks like it will score a lot more runs than last year.
He struck out what 100 times last year? Get ready for more this year!
Look at his OPS though...
Dempsey needs to bat 3rd or 4th. He's the best hitter on the team... By the far the biggest threat on the team. Maybe the best hitter in the Frontier League.
Too early to make a guess on the batting order or the lineup because several spots have not been filled. Assuming Sidick is back, there will be one more Vet spot that will likely go to a hitter, probably a third baseman. There also will be at least one more outfielder brought in who will have a good chance to play regularly. I'm also expecting another first baseman to be added before tryouts.
I do prefer Dempsey hitting in the No. 4 spot instead of the 3 spot. I don't like high-strikeout and high-DP guys hitting third because it can kill potential big innings.
There's is a multi-year affiliated-ball third baseman on the way to Washington. Excellent bat, average glove at best. That's your 3-slot hitter.
Let me guess. He made it to Triple-A in the Mets' system and has worked at Sidick's baseball academy?
Don't you mean 'swearing academy'?
I see the Wild Things are having National Anthem tryouts
again this season. I just wish they would play a recording rather
than having to listen to some local yokel either make a fool of
themselves, or trying to show us all that what they really want to do is rewrite
it.
Hardly anyone signs it the way it was written. At least 60% of these
people can’t carry a tune in a milk bucket. I don’t find it amusing – I find
it offensive the way these ‘no talent’ idiots try to sing.
It is VERY obvious that all one needs do is to tryout and you WILL be allowed
to try to sing it before a game.
Can’t we be spared this travisty?
Pauline
Their freedom of speech (in song) is no less sacred than your freedom of speech (in blog).
Of course, had you actually cared about the WORDS of The Star Spangled Banner, you'd already know that.
I am pleased to see the 4 that are returning as well. I look forward to seeing what they do as they carry their team. All 4 are great players and guys.
Looks as if the WT are buying into the Obama thing. Hope and change - make some changes and hope for the best!
Mitch
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