Baseball in Fort Wayne

Several former Wizards are now playing in other organizations and many are in spring camps, either seeking a job or putting in their time as incumbants. Here’s a quick look at how some are doing:

Toronto Blue Jays: Dirk Hayhurst, Matt Bush

Hayhurst has started out strong, pitching six innings over five games and giving up no runs on four hits. He has nine strikeouts and have given up no walks. Bush is scheduled to begin pitching in minor league camp.

St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese

Freese was virtually given the third base job but observers (me included) prior to camp starting until word came out that Freese had been injured in an auto accident in January. He was in camp, but held out of action and sent to minor league camp. He recently returned to the big league camp, but displayed obvious favor to his injured Achilles tendon.

Chicago Cubs: Bobby Scales, Luis Rivas, Corey Koskie

Three former Wizards, one spot. And the kicker is that neither might get the gig in light of the Cubs signing of the recently released Esteban German. Scales is hitting .318 in 22 at-bats with seven runs, two hits, two doubles, three walks, and six runs batted in. Scales is also a substitute high school teacher in Georgia during the offseason. Rivas has seen a bit more action and is hitting .250 over 24 at-bats with six hits and two runs a walk and an RBI. Corey Koskie has not yet joined the Cubs in camp, opting to play with Canada in the WBC.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Leo Rosales, Luke Carlin

Carlin signed with the Diamondbacks during the offseason and participated in this year’s WBC. So far this spring, he’s been in five games, collecting five runs on three hits in nine at-bats. Rosales has pitched four total innings over four games. He has given up four hits and three runs while walking one and striking out two. He has a 6.75 earned run average.

 Los Angeles Dodgers: Travis Chick

Travis Chick appeared in 1.2 innings over three games and got pounded before being sent to minors camp. He gave up four hits – two of them home runs – and walked 3 while striking out none.

Cleveland Indians: Jack Cassel, Josh Barfield

Barfield’s story is well documented. He continues to struggle this spring after trying his craft at other positions to add to his chances of returning to the big leagues. In 12 games, he’s had 33 at-bats. In that span, he’s got six hits and one RBI, while drawing one walk and striking out six times. He’s hitting .182 with a .206 OBP. Cassel has struggled a bit as well. In 6.2 innings pitched, he has a 10.20 ERA. Interestingly, Barfield and Cassel were teammates as Wizards in 2002.

Blatimore Orioles: Chad Moeller, David Pauley

The veteran Moeller has had eight at-bats but no hits. He has drawn one walk and scored a run. Pauley, who was traded to the Orioles from the Red Sox during the off-season, has pitched 9.1 innings over four games. He has two wins and eihgt strikeouts, but also sports a gaudey 7.71 earned run average.

Philadelphia Phillies: JJ Furmaniak, Clay Condrey

Furmaniak returns after a year in Japan. On the spring, he’s appeared in six games. He has one hit and one strikeout on six at-bats for a .167 average. Condrey has made three appearances ont he spring and has given up virtually nothing while striking out a hitter or two.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Luis Cruz

Cruz, who made his MLB debut last year, declined an invitation to participate in the WBC so he could focus on battling for a job with the Pirates. On the spring, he has four hits and three RBIs on 19 at-bats in nine games. He has a .211 average and a .250 on-base percentage.

Boston Red Sox: George Kottaras, Paul McAnulty

Both Kottaras and McAnulty have seen a lot of action with the Red Sox this spring. Kottaras is battling for the backup catcher’s gig, while McAnulty is seeking a forth outfielder spot. In eight games, Kottaras has has 11 at-bats where he has collected three hits – including a home run – and drawn a walk. McAnulty is getting a big look, having appeared in 11 games and getting 33 at-bats. He’s hitting .200 with six hits, a home run, 8 RBIs and a walk.

Detroit Tigers: Eddie Bonine

Bonine has looked good in five games with the Tigers. Over eight total innings, (including three scoreless last week) he has a 1.13 ERA and he’s given up just one earned run on four hits and 2 walks. He’s struck out three.

Seattle Mariners: Freddy Guzman

Guzman was in Mariners camp and competing for a job until he broke a bone in his hand. His recovery was first estimated at 4-6 weeks, which puts him a couple weeks away still.

Chicago White Sox: Jon Link

Jon Link has gotten three relief appearances with the White Sox this spring. He has a 3.86 ERA while giving up a run on ffive hits and a walk.

In Other News . . .

• Former Wizard, Matt Stocco is continuing his baseball career in Italy.
• BadWax has a bad pic on a bad card of the bad-ass A.J. Pierzynski. To my knowledge, he’s the only former Wizard to give pro wrestling a try.

Note: Stats in this post were pulled at various times between 3/14 and 3/15. Some may be outdated.