All-Decade Team: Reserve

When Jeff Isom began putting together the first edition of the Wild Things back in 2002, the manager believed there was one glaring hole in his lineup: shortstop.

Washington didn't have a shortstop with pro experience, only a former junior college player (Allen Clay) and another guy who was better known in Western Pennsylvania for his basketball exploits than baseball. The latter was Brad Hensler, who ended up filling the biggest gap in the lineup and making the Frontier League's end-of-season all-star team.

Hensler had made a name for himself in the area during his days as a basketball player at Chartiers Valley. He was one of the first standout players CV produced while head coach Tim McConnell began building the program into a WPIAL powerhouse.

Hensler went on to play college baseball at NCAA Division III Allegheny and had a productive career with the Gators, leading them to the College World Series as a senior. He was signed by the New York Mets as a nondrafted free agent, but the Mets didn't envision Hensler as a shortstop. They tried to convert him to catcher, and he even played a few games at first base and in the outfield during his only year in the organization.

The Wild Things contacted Hensler after his release and talked him into attending their open tryout. There were several reasons for this: Washington could sign a local guy out of the tryout camp, which would help their PR, and it gave Isom an opportunity to see Hensler play shortstop and decide before camp began if another player at that position was needed.

It didn't take long to see that Hensler could play shortstop in the Frontier League. He was better defensively than expected, and his bat made him the best hitting shortstop the Wild Things have had. Hensler batted .313 with 25 doubles, eight home runs, 54 RBI and 15 stolen bases. With the glove, he made only 13 errors.

Hensler was one of two Washington position players (catcher Shaun Argento was the other) to make the league's all-star team in the team's inaugural season.

Hensler gets the 23rd spot on one guy's All-Decade Team. With one roster spot remaining, there are plenty of players who deserve mention on the team. Will it go to another shortstop, Jon Cahill? Perhaps an outfielder or slick-fielding second baseman Ryan Ellis? What about another pitcher?

All-Decade Team Reserve: Brad Hensler