Remember James Simmons?

During the last offseason, the Wild Things stockpiled former NAIA players with no previous pro experience and Pecos Leaguers. The signings were criticized, bashed and judged as bad. The critics were correct. Of the players from the NAIA-Pecos offseason haul, only infielder Shain Stoner has made a significant contribution.

One position player signed in the offseason who didn't fit the NAIA-Pecos mold was outfielder James Simmons, who had Class AAA experience in the San Francisco Giants' system. Simmons has size (6-3) and speed. He was expected to be the newcomer with the best chance to make an immediate impact with Washington.

Simmons, however, got off to a slow start with the Wild Things. He played in only five games, going 3-for-17 with seven strikeouts and was released May 25 -- before the seasson's first homestand was complete.

Simmons didn't stay unemployed very long. He signed with the Atlantic League's Bridgeport Bluefish. The Atlantic League is the top independent circuit, filled with former major leaguers and ex-Class AAA and AA players.

Simmons is currently batting .258 with the Bluefish with 10 home runs and eight stolen bases. He's in a 4-for-32 slump after getting his average up to .285 on July 21. Simmons also has a pair of muli-homer games, each against defending league champion York.

It seems as if this was one time when the Wild Things had the right guy in camp but gave up on him too soon.