Logjam of experience
Sanford, of Vorhees, N.J., was drafted twice, in the 43rd round by Texas out of high school in 2006, and by the Giants in the 13th round out of South Florida University in 2009. Sanford had a 20-25 record and 3.53 ERA in the Giants system. His best season was 2011 when he went 10-10 with a 2.55 ERA and struck out 107 in 169 2/3 innings with Class A Augusta of the South Atlantic League. He walked only 1.6 hitters per nine innings.
Last year, he was 6-8 for Class A San Jose of the California League and went 0-3 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts for Class AAA Fresno.
“We are excited about having Shawn Sanford as part of the Wild Things pitching staff,” manager Bart Zeller said. “He was a 13th round draft pick … and clearly made his mark. … Shawn’s desire to return to affiliated baseball, and our commitment to do all we can to make that happen is the primary reason he selected the Wild Things.”
Sanford has experience as both a closer and a starter. At South Florida, he had 25 career saves over three years. He had 14 saves with the Giants.
The addition of Sanford brings the Wild Things' roster to, by my count, 35 players. Sanford is the 18th player classified as Experience or Veteran by Frontier League roster rules. Each team is limited to 13 such players on the active roster when the regular-season begins, which means there will be plenty of competition at some positions during spring training. One Experienced player, outfielder Mario Yepez, has been placed on the 60-day disabled list, which means Washington is only over the limit by four players.
Washington will be required to draft at least two players at the Frontier League tryout, which will be held later this month in Sauget, Ill. It's likely that each of those players will be rookies.
posted by Chris Dugan at
2:56 PM
8 Comments:
Chris. Which players do you think they will have release because they have too many players with experience?
Just as with everyone else the Wild Things sign, Shawn Sanford is the greatest thing to happen for the Wild Things since applesause. We should believe it only when we see it come true.
Then, if it does come true, we will see him off to some higher level of ball than the Frontier League. That, of course, is good for Sanford, but the Wild hings will be just about back to where they were before. It's one of the most frustrating thing about this League. Really good players move on, which is what it's all about, but it leaves the team in a much weaker situation. I would rather watch affiliated ball where you at least see better players everyday and when one player gets promoted it doesn't have such a negative effect on the rest of the team. I understand that the supposed object of the FL is to move talanted players up the ladder but I'd sure like to see some way the FL could be more competive whitin the League for an entire season.
It's hard for me to say who will get let go because I have never seen Matt Phillips and Shawn Sanford pitch, or Bryan Nicholson, C.J. Beatty or Jose Rivero hit. I don't expect all four of the Experienced outfielders sticking, unless one is the full-time DH. Three might be even be a stretch because Andrew Heck is only an R2 and he's going to have a roster spot. At least 2 of the pitchers will go and probably one infielder or catcher. It's also likely that another Experienced player or two will be signed between now and opening day.
Chris-
How does this team compare to others in the East?
-Brian
"Just as with everyone else the Wild Things sign, Shawn Sanford is the greatest thing to happen for the Wild Things since applesause."
What are the Wild Things supposed to say? Maybe something like .... "We have never seen this kid in person and we have no idea if he can pitch or not. We just hope he doesn't throw like a girl because we're desperate for pitchers. He might have joined a motorcycle gang since last playing baseball. We really don't know what we're getting. This signing players thing is a real crapshoot."
"if it does come true, we will see him off to some higher level of ball than the Frontier League. .... the Wild hings will be just about back to where they were before. It's one of the most frustrating thing about this League. Really good players move on, which is what it's all about, but it leaves the team in a much weaker situation."
Somebody needs to explain to Anonymous 10:40 that this is the nature of sports everywhere. Players move on all the time. Mike Wallace goes to the Dolphins, Steven Adams goes to the NBA, Gerrit Cole gets promoted to a higher level in the minors, high school players got to college. Players come and go. The trick is replacing them with better players. Teams that do that are usually the ones that win all the time.
"I'd sure like to see some way the FL could be more competive whitin the League for an entire season."
Say what?
What should the Wild Things say about Shawn Sanford? How about not saying as little as possible? Just let it all shake out on the field. If he is good, we will be able to see it for ourselves, won't we?
Ima Fraid
No offense Fraud, but the Wild Cubs need to make a public statement about not only this kid but everyone they sign. I think we have the right to know what the staff thinks. Should be a reason why they are signed over others.
-Brian
Say as little as possible? That strategy worked well after the playoff loss to Windy City a few years ago huh?
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