Noris gone after 10 games
When the Wild Things' 2012 season drew to a close, those in charge of making such an analysis decided the most pressing need for the team's everyday lineup was power hitting, specifically at the outfield and infield corner positions.
The search for a power-hitting outfielder seemed to end when Washington acquired Rogelio Noris from Gateway in exchange for the Wild Things' first-round draft pick at the 2013 Frontier League tryout.
Noris hit 21 home runs and drove in 74 runs last year with Lake Erie and Gateway. He also hit two home runs in five playoff games.
Washington was hoping Noris would be the missing piece for an offense that lacked punch.
Noris, however, got off to a late start with the Wild Things as a visa issue kept the former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand in his native Mexico until after the Frontier League's regular season began. When Noris did arrive, he didn't add any pop to the lineup, batting .222 with two doubles and four RBI.
After 10 games, the Noris experiment is over as the outfielder was released Thursday.
"We were looking to get more from him because he's (classified as) an Experienced player," Washington manager Bart Zeller said. "You're always going to be concerned about how your Experienced players are producing because of the salary cap."
The roster move dropped Washington to only 22 active players -- two under the league limit -- for the Thursday night game against Traverse City. Zeller said he expects to add at least one player before the team heads to Florence to begin a series Tuesday.
"I expect to sign someone in the next two or three days," he said. "We have a tryout scheduled Saturday for 17 to 20 undrafted college seniors."
However, Zeller isn't going to limit himself to a player straight out of the college ranks.
"We're going to be taking the best guy we can get," he added.
Zeller said he like his outfield, which will have rookie Scott Kalamar (Seton Hall) in left field, Darian Sandford in center field and Gus Benusa in right field.
"We have speed out there now," Zeller said.
And if you were wondering, the player Gateway selected in the first round in the Wild Things' spot was pitcher Chris Pfau, who was cut during spring training.
The search for a power-hitting outfielder seemed to end when Washington acquired Rogelio Noris from Gateway in exchange for the Wild Things' first-round draft pick at the 2013 Frontier League tryout.
Noris hit 21 home runs and drove in 74 runs last year with Lake Erie and Gateway. He also hit two home runs in five playoff games.
Washington was hoping Noris would be the missing piece for an offense that lacked punch.
Noris, however, got off to a late start with the Wild Things as a visa issue kept the former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand in his native Mexico until after the Frontier League's regular season began. When Noris did arrive, he didn't add any pop to the lineup, batting .222 with two doubles and four RBI.
After 10 games, the Noris experiment is over as the outfielder was released Thursday.
"We were looking to get more from him because he's (classified as) an Experienced player," Washington manager Bart Zeller said. "You're always going to be concerned about how your Experienced players are producing because of the salary cap."
The roster move dropped Washington to only 22 active players -- two under the league limit -- for the Thursday night game against Traverse City. Zeller said he expects to add at least one player before the team heads to Florence to begin a series Tuesday.
"I expect to sign someone in the next two or three days," he said. "We have a tryout scheduled Saturday for 17 to 20 undrafted college seniors."
However, Zeller isn't going to limit himself to a player straight out of the college ranks.
"We're going to be taking the best guy we can get," he added.
Zeller said he like his outfield, which will have rookie Scott Kalamar (Seton Hall) in left field, Darian Sandford in center field and Gus Benusa in right field.
"We have speed out there now," Zeller said.
And if you were wondering, the player Gateway selected in the first round in the Wild Things' spot was pitcher Chris Pfau, who was cut during spring training.
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:27 PM
8 Comments:
And this is why no sane sports fan gives a hoot about the Frontier League. Guy is supposed to be the savior and he's released after 10 average games. I suggest going to any local park, adopt a little league team playing tonight, and following them for the summer over keeping tabs on the boys at CEP. When does the O-R and WJPA stop providing coverage of this stuff? Donut Connection plays Krency's tonight in a big showdown, report on that instead.
#FreeMaxxGarrett
OT: Re; Is Washington a good baseball town?
I'd say yes if - we had a team owned, and run, by people that actually knew the first thing about how to run a franchise and not just run their mouth and blow smoke up our fannies!
I have purposely not posted much this season because the Wild Cubs management have proven beyond any doubt in my mind that they just don't give a flying crap about what their customers think.
I admit that I'm not the brightest bulb in the box but, neither am I as stupid as the Wild Cubs think I may be. The last couple of years they have had what they called "Season Ticket Holders" meetings. These rapidly became nothing more than copious BS sessions. More manure was slung by two individuals, Mr. Williams and Mr. Zavacky, than a fifty tentacled octopus could throw. Lot's of stuff was promised - none of it delivered! It seems more than obvious that SwissCheeda is absolutely correct - the Wild Cubs are building a case for leaving OR, this group is totally incompetent. The Wild Cubs are NOT open to suggestions no matter what they may tell you.
Mr. Williams is a smart man. You don't accumulate his wealth by being stupid. I'm completely convinced his goal is to move the Wild Cubs elsewhere even though he may not even tell anybody, including his staff, of his plans. To do this he just has to employ a staff of “yes men”, and he certainly has accomplished that. It's of no real importance to me anymore. I'll continue to buy my season tickets until they move away just because I enjoy being with my friends at CEP. I no longer give a damn if the teams wins, or loses. You know something? The management feels that way, too! The proof is in the puddin' isn't it? What has changed at CEP the last three seasons? Higher prices for everything, including parking. Higher prices of everything in the ballpark, except water. To me, this just does not make sense unless, they are TRYING to lose money. End of rant! Back to my cubby hole for the rest of the season.
Ima Fraid
I'm planning on going to the see the Wild Cubs over the weekend.
How much is parking now?
Wow, suddenly I feel like Nostradamus. I recall posting on the topic "Blast From The Past" in March to not get excited about Noris just yet. And sure enough, it's apparently the second coming of Josh Banda. It's hard to believe that a guy who was 6th in the league in RBIs lost his stroke that quick. But then again, I recall Ernie Banks. He dominated his first season here and then he vanished off the radar screen. But is 10 games really enough to evaluate him? Was he hitting the ball hard? Anybody?
Back to the "Is This A Good Baseball Town" topic for a second. Although it is MY favorite sport by far, I do think it's taken a backseat to football and even hockey in western PA. Even at Pirate games, I think people mainly go for free stuff and for the "experience". Too many simply sit there and BS with their buddy and ignore the game. I find very little passion among the few remaining fans in Washington the past few seasons as well. Does anyone honestly believe that when the Pirates' affiliate begins playing in Morgantown that there will be 2 Frontier League teams as well within a reasonable distance? It reminds me of a job I had years ago. The place was losing business, the building falling apart, and nothing was being done to stop the bleeding. The owner was intending to build a new location right across the road. Sure enough, he turned around and sold the land to his rival, and he closed up shop after they built instead. And it's this reasoning why I believe the Wild Things ownership does not care to improve the crowds. They've tapped the well dry and will move on.
I don't agree on the low quality of the talent. No, of course it's not MLB, but it's way better than high school, and even college. Most of these guys were good enough to be drafted and play a year or 2 of low level affiliated ball. You just have to FIND the talent, which is something they largely haven't been able to do since Ross Vecchio left.
"Donut Connection plays Krency's tonight in a big showdown, report on that instead."
Krency's was able to find holes in the middle of the Donut Connection defense although Donut Connection made 24 errors down from their usual 32 a game. There was some excellent underhanded pitching going on and only six players on the losing team cried when their fathers chewed them out for unforgiveable things such as not knowing what the count was."
Remind me again of who said Noris was going to be the savior.
All of you that post on this blog are just as big a reason as to why Washington is not a good baseball town. Don't worry you'll get your wish, the team will move then you can go ruin peoples nights at little league games, which some of you probably already do.
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