Difficult decisions ahead
I wouldn't want to be Bart Zeller.
No, that statement doesn't have anything to with the working relationship I have with Zeller. And I didn't write that first sentence simply because I wouldn't want to be 72 years old, though most days I do feel like I am 72 and then some.
That first sentence was written because, if I were Bart Zeller, I'd have to cut the Wild Things' current active roster from 28 players to 24 by opening day and drop a minimum of two players with at least two years of pro experience.
That's not a job I would want because this year it appears putting together the Wild Things' opening day roster will be more difficult than ever. That's probably a good sign. There were more than 24, and even 28, players in camp who are capable of playing for some team in the Frontier League. That's the result of having more Experienced players in spring training than ever before, and having some quality rookies.
Typically, a Frontier League team will go to camp with 13 or 14 Experienced players. The limit during the season is 13. Washington had 17 Experienced players and 1 Veteran (Jhonny Montoya) in camp as recently as Friday.
The Wild Things trimmed their roster to 28 players with three releases Friday (catcher Michael Pair, utility player Andrew Heck and pitcher Zach Fleshman) and five roster moves Sunday. Released were pitchers Jordan Elliott, Andy Smithmyer and Joey Perrotta, and outfielder Jordan Keur. Infielder Yuery Tejada was placed on the 14-day disabled list. Tejada played in the exhibition games Friday and again (according to the Pointstreak box score) Saturday at Lake Erie, so I don't know if Tejada is actually injured or not. What the DL move does is bring Washington to only two Experienced players over the limit.
Of the Sunday cuts, the one that surprised me most was Elliott. I thought being an R2 with some affiliated experience would work in his favor. Smithmyer also was a surprise because he was still only an R2, but I'm sure blowing a save Saturday hurt his case for a roster spot. Keur, a rookie out of Michigan State, was an interesting prospect but he was injured during camp and was injured during his senior year in college.
Washington currently has 15 pitchers and 13 position players in camp. The roster breaks down this way:
Veteran - P Johnny Montoya
Experienced - Pitchers Shawn Blackwell, Scott Dunn, Tim Flight, Zac Fuesser, Alex Kaminsky, Jonathan Kountis, Zach LeBarron and Al Yevoli. catcher Jim Vahalik, infielders William Beckwith, Carter Bell and Garrett Rau. Outfielders C.J. Beatty and Danny Poma.
The R1 and R2 players (at least 11 must be kept on the active roster) include: Pitchers Pat Butler, Tyler Elrod, Julio Perez, Chris Phelan, Devin Malone and Matt Purnell. Catchers Michael Allen and Maxx Garrett. Infielders Ryan Kresky and Nick Ratajczak. Outfielders Stewart Ijames, Scott Kalamar and Marinio Guzman.
One thing I am sure of: Washington won't start the season with the 24 best players from camp on its roster. That's because teams can keep only 13 Experienced or Vet players. And the R1 and R2 players, especially the pitchers, are competing for roster spots against one another. Being an R1 might work in a guy's favor because he won't be classified as Experienced until 2016.
Those final four roster moves are sure to be difficult and interesting.
No, that statement doesn't have anything to with the working relationship I have with Zeller. And I didn't write that first sentence simply because I wouldn't want to be 72 years old, though most days I do feel like I am 72 and then some.
That first sentence was written because, if I were Bart Zeller, I'd have to cut the Wild Things' current active roster from 28 players to 24 by opening day and drop a minimum of two players with at least two years of pro experience.
That's not a job I would want because this year it appears putting together the Wild Things' opening day roster will be more difficult than ever. That's probably a good sign. There were more than 24, and even 28, players in camp who are capable of playing for some team in the Frontier League. That's the result of having more Experienced players in spring training than ever before, and having some quality rookies.
Typically, a Frontier League team will go to camp with 13 or 14 Experienced players. The limit during the season is 13. Washington had 17 Experienced players and 1 Veteran (Jhonny Montoya) in camp as recently as Friday.
The Wild Things trimmed their roster to 28 players with three releases Friday (catcher Michael Pair, utility player Andrew Heck and pitcher Zach Fleshman) and five roster moves Sunday. Released were pitchers Jordan Elliott, Andy Smithmyer and Joey Perrotta, and outfielder Jordan Keur. Infielder Yuery Tejada was placed on the 14-day disabled list. Tejada played in the exhibition games Friday and again (according to the Pointstreak box score) Saturday at Lake Erie, so I don't know if Tejada is actually injured or not. What the DL move does is bring Washington to only two Experienced players over the limit.
Of the Sunday cuts, the one that surprised me most was Elliott. I thought being an R2 with some affiliated experience would work in his favor. Smithmyer also was a surprise because he was still only an R2, but I'm sure blowing a save Saturday hurt his case for a roster spot. Keur, a rookie out of Michigan State, was an interesting prospect but he was injured during camp and was injured during his senior year in college.
Washington currently has 15 pitchers and 13 position players in camp. The roster breaks down this way:
Veteran - P Johnny Montoya
Experienced - Pitchers Shawn Blackwell, Scott Dunn, Tim Flight, Zac Fuesser, Alex Kaminsky, Jonathan Kountis, Zach LeBarron and Al Yevoli. catcher Jim Vahalik, infielders William Beckwith, Carter Bell and Garrett Rau. Outfielders C.J. Beatty and Danny Poma.
The R1 and R2 players (at least 11 must be kept on the active roster) include: Pitchers Pat Butler, Tyler Elrod, Julio Perez, Chris Phelan, Devin Malone and Matt Purnell. Catchers Michael Allen and Maxx Garrett. Infielders Ryan Kresky and Nick Ratajczak. Outfielders Stewart Ijames, Scott Kalamar and Marinio Guzman.
One thing I am sure of: Washington won't start the season with the 24 best players from camp on its roster. That's because teams can keep only 13 Experienced or Vet players. And the R1 and R2 players, especially the pitchers, are competing for roster spots against one another. Being an R1 might work in a guy's favor because he won't be classified as Experienced until 2016.
Those final four roster moves are sure to be difficult and interesting.
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:11 PM
14 Comments:
Sounds to me that opening day will bring some surprises. Thanks for the updates and insights Chris.
Chris,
Is there any word if Pecos Tim Ferguson will be part of the television series?
Follow up question: Has he gotten any better at what he does?
LOL.
Think half of that Pecos League ran through Washington in 2012.
I know one of the pitchers was cut Monday but I don't know who is was.
Ima Fraid
Cool story, Ron.
Glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for more of the same good stuff.
I was hoping Chris would shed a little light on who was cut. Apparently he doesn't know or, he doesn't care!
Nobody was cut, though the moves to get down to 24 active players only delayed some tough decisions. Roster moves were in the ole black & white today.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20140514/SPORTS04/140519697#.U3U_T2fji1s
Heard today that the Wild Things gave Canon-McMillan 50 free tickets today for the home opener. Papering the house from the start this year. That's not a good sign Wild Things are in trouble. Parkersburg here they come.
Hope I win the O-R ticket give away for the opener. Maybe I will have a chance to witness the first win of the season.
"Nobody was cut" Really Chris? Then the host family that had their player cut was just plain lying to me. I don't think so.
Ima Fraid
Was probably one of the players listed in this blog post. They were released Sunday. Roster had to be trimmed to 28 before the exhibition game Sunday. Same 28 still with team, though 2 on DL and 2 on suspended list.
Yes, that's probably what happened?
Ima Fraid
In the old days I really cared that the WT gave away tickets. I felt it was unfair for them to give tickets to some people while I had to pay for my seat. I no longer feel upset about this because, for that reason only, I no longer attend any WT games. Don't even listen on the radio. Wild Things? Are they still here?
Wow! No longer go to the games and don't listen on the radio. I take it as a compliment that you still check the blog. Thanks.
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