Another roster move

The Wild Things made another roster move Friday, releasing catcher Joel Carranza and signing catcher Andrew Heck (pictured).

Carranza was acquired in the season's first week from a team in the independent Pecos League. He struggled offensively, hitting only .138 (4-for-29) though half of his hits went for home runs, including a grand slam against Gateway. After hitting the grand slam and driving in five runs in the that game, Carranza went into an 0-for-20 slump.

Heck is a local player, from North Hills High School. He played college ball at Duquesne before the school dropped the program following his junior season in 2010. Heck led the Dukes in nine offensive categories when he hit .408 with 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases as a junior. He set the school's single-season record for hits (91) and doubles (25).

Heck transferred to Oklahoma State for his senior season but played in only 15 games (eight starts) and batted .214 with no home runs.

At Duquesne, Heck was a teammate of the Wild Things' other catcher, Rick Devereaux, who transferred to Pitt when the Dukes quit playing baseball.

The interesting thing about the signing of Heck is he's listed as a catcher. I don't know how much he played the position at Oklahoma State or Duquesne, but judging by the fielding statistics it doesn't appear to be very often. At Duquesne, Heck also was a pitcher, so you know he didn't spend much time at catcher.

I think Heck even had a tryout with Southern Illinois, but as an outfielder. At Oklahoma State, Heck was listed on the roster as an outfielder and pitcher. At Duquesne, he was listed as a pitcher/infielder.

The addition of Heck might turn out to be a good one. Only time will tell. But with all the problems the Wild Things have had at catcher -- this is the sixth catcher they've had since the season started and they lead the league with nine passed balls -- you would think Washington would try to sign a backstop who has significant experience at the position in affiliated ball. The best catchers the Wild Things have had, guys like Randy McGarvey, Shaun Argento, Pat O'Brien, Mario Graza and Kris Rochelle, were catchers who were drafted.

This signing reminds me of something a former Wild Things player mentioned after Washington signed a catcher/third baseman out of the college ranks (the guy never made it to Washington). "The best catchers I played with or against were catchers-only," he said. "I never saw a good catcher who played behind the plate one day and then at third base the next. The good ones play catcher and that's it."

The moves continue the Wild Things' run of transactions that is at a record pace. Teams in the league are permitted only 25 transactions (not every move is considered a transaction) per season and Washington already is well past the halfway point -- and we still have a month left before we get to the all-star break.