Baseball in Fort Wayne

Wow. This has got to be up there in terms of the strangest of MLB debut scenarios for former Fort Wayne Wizards. Catcher, Jose Lobaton was called up from Triple-A Portland due to Henry Blano being inured. For those following at home, the Padres primary catcher is former WizardJose Lobaton, who is also on the DL. Lobaton’s debut comes one year and one day after Hundley’s.

But here’s where it gets strange. Having played the catcher position throughout his entire eight season minor league career, Lobaton entered the game at second base, having lost David Eckstein due to injure in the twelfth inning. The play involving Eckstein ended the bottom of the twefth, so Lobaton entered at second in the top of the thirteenth. Los Angeles would score in that inning. Former Wizard Kyle Blanks struck out to make the third out in the bottom of the inning and Lobaton therefore did not get an at-bat.

With the Wizards in 2006, Lobaton hit .279 with 17 hits in 61 at bats. Over 20 games, he collected three doubles, one homer and 11 runs batted in. He also drew 12 bases on balls. He’s got a great arm, handles the staff well and tends to hit in streaks (ending his Wizards run with an eight game hitting streak). He also appeared in 9 games with the Wizards the year before.

Lobaton is the 82nd former Wizards to make his MLB debut and hte sixth this season. In case you are wondering, we are one ahead of last year’s record-setting pace.