The waiting is the hardest part
It's less than 24 hours until the on-field part of the Frontier League season begins for the Wild Things with their annual open tryout Saturday morning at Consol Energy Park. The Frontier League's tryout and player draft - each team must select at least 2 players - will be Monday and Tuesday in Washington.
If you check the Wild Things' roster, you might notice there are at least two positions in which depth is needed. One is catcher, where only Steve Pickerell and injured Kris Rochelle are on the roster.
The other position is first base, where Washington does not have a player with pro experience. Only Peters Township graduate Aaron Janusey is on the roster as a first baseman.
The Wild Things were expected to announce the signing of three more players as early as Wednesday, but that hasn't happened. Word is they were to sign catcher Alan Robbins, along with a first baseman/outfielder-type player and an infielder. Robbins was a teammate of Jacob Dempsey and Chris Carrara at Winthrop University and spent three years in the Philadelphia Phillies' system. he has the reputation of being a good catch-and-throw guy, better defensively than with the bat.
UPDATE: The Wild Things announced the signing of Robbins late Friday afternoon. Washington also signed one outfielder and lost another.
Signing was Alex Paluka, a Murrysville native and Franklin Regional High School graduate. Paluka played at the University of Iowa and Eastern Connecticut State before concluding his career at Point Park. Paluka played four years at Franklin Regional under Wild Things pitching coach Larry Wayman. Paluka batted only .235 for Point Park last spring.
"Alex is someone who we've worked out, and we've watched him hit. … We liked what we saw and wanted to give him an opportunity to come to camp," added Mason.
Washington also announced the retirement of outfielder Jason Appel who, judging by the current roster, would have seen significant playing time. This roster move leaves the Wild Things with only two outfielders with pro experience (none at the affiliated level), Chris Sidick and Matt Sutton. Not a good way to start camp.
Labels: Alan Robbins, Alex Paluka, Chris Sidick, Kris Rochelle, Matt Sutton, Steve Pickerell
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:19 AM
12 Comments:
It will be a good test to see if the outfield swamp has improved with the rain we had recently.
It will look like a lot of ducks in the outfield.
Don't panic. More signings to be announced. Butler also has pro experience. I don't think the whole hand has been played.
You're right about Butler. I keep forgetting that he played for Alexandria in the United League last year. Must be because he's not listed, for some unknown reason, in the Howe Sports career statistics database.
I can tell you for sure that Aaron Janusey doesn't have what it takes. He is just a lot of hype.
He IS a lot smarter than Messner was if that means anything.
Johnny
Pro baseball? .235 at Point Park? Yuck. Enjoy paying to watch Point Park's No. 8 batter. Only a matter of time until WT sales people will be leaving free tickets at Walmart's checkout lines.
Rochelle is ready to go! He's better than new!
Butler is on Howe but for the 2008 season stats only. He is not listed on career stats page.
Paluka like all other players have to make it thru training camp to be officially on the opening day roster. Just because players sign contracts prior to spring training does not mean they are going to play during the season. Know the procedure before making uneducated comments.
I'm going to miss Lucas dragging the infiels this year.
Oppps.
meant - dragging the infield
Heck, I thought you were trying to say "dragging the infidels." I thought, damn, the Things are really branching out with their promotions. ;-)
Not to worry, I'm sure Obama's henchmen have plans for us 'infidel' conservatives - the tea bag types. I saw his people at the local Tea Party trying to intimidate us with cameras. I almost scared crapless - NOT!!!
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