Baseball in Fort Wayne

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Paul McAnulty was selected in round twelve (355th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2002. In 2005, he made his Major League Debut with the Padres and saw Big League action in each of the next three seasons. In 2009, he played at the Triple-A level for both the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies.

With the Fort Wayne Wizards in 2003, McAnulty appeared in 133 games. He hit .273 with 7 homers and 73 RBI while mostly manning the first base and designated hitter roles.

McAnulty is one of five position players from the 2003 squad to reach the Majors. Shortstop Luis Cruz, catchers Colt Morton and Luke Carlin and outfielder Drew Macias being the others. Pitchers, Dale Thayer, David Pauley (who recently made it back with the Mariners) and Jon Huber also made the Majors, for a total of eight from the 2003 Wizards team that lost in the first round of the playoffs.

In 90 games for Triple-A Pawtucket, he hit .233 with 20 doubles, 11 home runs and 48 RBI. In 20 games for Triple-A Colorado Springs, he hit .182 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBI.

In the offseason, McAnulty signed with the LAA Angels. He’s appeared in 29 games for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, hitting .360 with eight doubles, four dingers and 26 RBI. In 44 games with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, he hit .331 with three doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 27 RBI.

Today, McAnulty was recalled by the Angels, seeing Big League action for the first time since 2008:

“These guys have been around,” Scioscia said. “They have a little Major League experience, they’ve been playing in Triple-A for a long time. They’re really veteran-type players. Both can swing the bat and that’s something that we need a little depth in right now.”

Related BBIFW Paul McAnulty Posts:

• Padres Roster Moves and a Former Padre on the Move
• McAnulty Demoted, Rincon Promoted
• Padres Announce Opening Day Roster; Includes Former Wizards
• More on McAnulty
• McAnulty Looking to Rebound, Earn Spot
• Former Wizard, McAnulty on Verge of Big League Roster

In 2001, the San Diego Padres drafted David Pauley out of high school in the eighth round. In 2003 with the Wizards, he posted a 7-7 record with a 3.29 earned run average to go along with 117 strikeouts and 38 bases on balls over 117.2 innings pitched. He started in 21 of his 22 games and did earn one save as a Wizard.

By 2004, Pauley had received recognition by Baseball America as the seventh best prospect in the San Diego Padres organization. However, after the 2004 season, San Diego shipped Pauley to the Boston Red Sox along with Jay Payton and Ramon Vazquez plus cash in exchange for speedy Dave Roberts.

In May of 2006, Pauley made his Major League debut, starting against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was called up from Boston’s Double-A affiliate at the time (Portland) to spot start for the injured David Wells. He allowed six runs on 11 hits over just 4 and two-thirds innings. However, despite the poor first outing, the Red Sox did win 8-6.

“I was definitely nervous,” Pauley said. “I knew it was going to be tough. I thought I dealt with it pretty well. It’s just a stepping stone to my next one” [source: YahooSports]

He appeared in two more games with Boston during the remainder of the 2006 season, pitching in a total of 16 innings, while also pitching with the Red Sox’s Triple-A squad. Pauley pitched all of 2007 in Triple-A Pawtucket.

In 2008, Pauley began the year with Triple-A Pawtucket where he went 14-4 with a 3.55 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 147 innings pitched. In August, he returned to the Fenway mound – but it was against the Charlotte Knights in a “Futures at Fenway” game. He went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four en route to his thirteenth victory of that season in front of 36,000 spectators.

Pauley did get the chance to pitch a couple innings in relief with the Red Sox in September. The moves that Boston makes over the course of this offseason will likely play big into Pauley’s future. He is on Boston’s 40-man roster and therefore not in jeopardy of being snagged in the upcoming Rule-5 Draft. His solid season in Pawtucket seems to indicate that he has figured out Triple-A and is looking for his place at the next level. Whether he can crack the rotation in Boston or land a place in the bullpen remains to be seen.

Pauley mixes a very good sinker with a low 90s fastball with good movement,  a good changeup, and a nice curveball.   Has 5th starter potential at the MLB level. Pauley has demonstrated solid success against AAA competition for extended periods of time, but has yet to impress much at the big league level, although he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity. Needs to improve his control somewhat.   Gives up a lot of home runs.  Good fielder with a strong pick-off move [soxprospects.com].

Boston also has to fill the catcher and fourth outfielder spot; which could be filled by former Wizards George Kottaras and Paul McAnulty (though it is unlikely). Boston has been known to pull of some solid trades in recent years, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pauley get shipped or slotted in at the number five role, which is currently available to my knowledge.

Regardless, it seems that Pauley should and will be entering Spring Training in 2009 with his eyes set on winning a job on the Major League roster.

Update – January 19th, 2009: OMG! I was right! David Pauley got traded . . . to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher, Randor Bierd. Hopefully Pauley will get a good shot at cracking the Major League roster.

Update – July 4, 2010: David Pauley was granted ffree agency from the Orioles in November of 2009 and he signed with the Seattle Mariners about a month later. Through 2010, Pauley had been 1-6 with a 3.68 earned run average in 15 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. Last week, he was called up to the Bigs when Mike Sweeney went on the DL. Pauley hasn’t allowed a run in three innings since being recalled.

Here are some of the pics I snapped during last week’s festivities.

[Show as slideshow]

Yes indeed, it’s All-Star Week in Fort Wayne. It’s a time when the best of the best in the Midwest (League that is) who hasn’t been promoted or sidelined will come to the Summit City to show off their home run hitting talents on Monday before displaying their skills on the field come Tuesday.

And while the TinCaps didn’t quite dominate the first half like they did last year – they in fact didn’t even get a post season berth and now must come through in the second half if they are to defend their crown – the fan support at Parkview Field has been tremendous. As a thank-you, the team will offering $1 soft drinks and beers at Parkview Field concession stands during Monday’s festivities.

5:05-6:45: Player autographs

6:30: Little League Home Run Derby

7:30: MWL Skills Challenge

8:15: MWL Home Run Derby

Post-event: Fireworks!

On the West, two first-rounders from last year’s draft, Cedar Rapids OF Mike Trout and Clinton INF Nick Franklin, will slug it out in the Home Run Derby. They’ll likely to be joined by Quad Cities infielder Matt Adams and Wisconsin outfielder Khris Davis. Davis has already launched an estimated 425-foot missile to center field earlier this month during a game at Parkview Field.

From the East, the Loons’ Jerry Sands (with a league-best 18 home runs) will be joined by Fort Wayne infielder Nate Freiman is expected to hit at his home ballpark. South Bend infielder Matt Davidson and Dayton infielder Henry Rodriguez will likely make up the other half of the contingent.

The Midwest League sluggers will be joined by 2010 Garrett High School grad Spencer Burns, who won the TinCaps’ Hometown Hitters competition.

A pitchers’ duel for the ages at Victory Field in Indianapolis. In the end, the unranked Carroll High School Chargers defeated number 1 Indianapolis Cathedral in a 1-0 shutout to become the Class 4A State Champions. The win marks the school’s first team state title in any sport.

Carroll senior Curtis Wise won with a complete-game shutout, yielding just four hits. The Chargers scored in the top of ninth for the game’s only run.

Justin Glass hit a two-out single, then advanced to second on a passed ball. After Cathedral intentionally walked Grant Wilson, Carroll junior Zach Vanlandingham hit a single just out of reach of the leaping third baseman’s glove into left field, bringing Glass home to score. Wise then held the Fighting Irish in check in the bottom of the ninth.

TinCaps’ infielder Jeudy Valdez and right-hander Miles Mikolas were added to the Midwest League All-Star roster Tuesday, bringing the host city of Fort Wayne’s total All-Star representatives to six.

The additions are thanks to the promotion of Lansing’s Mark Sobolewski and an injury to Lake County’s Trey Haley.

Valdez, 21, is in his second season in the Midwest League. He’s batting .251 with a team-leading seven home runs and 15 stolen bases. His best game at the plate this year came May 26 vs. Great Lakes when he clubbed a pair of homers, including a grand slam, to finish with six RBI.

Mikolas, 21, has been one of the most reliable relievers on the staff, going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA. A seventh-round selection in last year’s draft out of Nova Southeastern University, Mikolas had a 26- inning stretch without allowing an earned run this year.

Valdez and Mikolas join TinCaps infielder Nate Freiman, outfielder Danny Payne and righties Jerry Sullivan and Nick Schumacher on the Eastern Division All-Star roster.

Chad Huffman became the 90th former Fort Wayne WizCap to debut in Major League Baseball. Taking the roster spot of the injured Marcus Thames, Huffman got his first hit in the third inning.

“I looked up on the jumbotron and saw my family jumping up and down,” Huffman said. “It was a great feeling… I’m going to give (the ball) to my mom so I don’t lose it.”

Huffman was a 2nd round selection of the San Diego Padres (53rd overall) in the 2006 amateur entry draft. With the Wizards in 2006, Huffman appeared in five games as the seasoned waned at Memorial Stadium. He started the following season at Lake Elsinore.

Huffman is the thirteenth player from the 2006 roster to make the Major Leagues. That is easily the most of any year, whether Wizards or TinCaps.

Related BBIFW Posts

• WizCaps Where R They? 2010
• Off Season Catchup: Huffman, Ramos, Chang, Carlin, Castro, Grube
• Fort Fragments: Player Movement
• Former Wizards Getting Early Spring Work
• Catching Up With the Arizona Fall League
• Plenty of Wizards in MadFriars’s Top 20
• Wizards Watch: Former Wizards Contribute to 30-0 Rout

Marcus Thames left in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game with a strained hamstring. He will be placed on the disabled list and his spot will be taken by former Fort Wayne Wizard, Chad Huffman.

The Yankees claimed Huffman on waivers from the Padres in April. With Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he was hitting .279/.344/.416 with five homers and 22 RBIsin 190 at-bats.

Huffman was a 2nd round selection of the San Diego Padres (53rd overall) in the 2006 amateur entry draft. With the Wizards in 2006, Huffman appeared in five games as the seasoned waned at Memorial Stadium. He started the following season at Lake Elsinore.

Five players with Northeast Indiana local ties were drafted this week. Here’s a quick look:

Scott Woodward (Norwell) – 15th round by the Oakland A’s (455th Overall)

Matt Bischoff (New Haven) – 20th round by the Seattle Mariners (612th overall)

• Seattle Drafts Matt Bischoff (Purdue Sports)
• Mariners draft Purdue ace (JCOnline)

Zack Dygert (Angola) – 22nd round by the Houston Astros (663rd overall)

• Dygert Drafted By The Houston Astros In The 22nd Round (Ball State)
• Astros draft Angola’s Dygert (Herald Republican – subscription required)

Kevin Kiermaier (Bishop Luers)- 31st round by the Tampa Bay Rays (941st Overall)

• Kevin Keirmaier Drafted by Tapa Bay Rays (Clip Syndicate)

Chris Squires (Canterbury) – 37th round by the Florida Marlins (1,127th overall)

Hat Tip to Glenn Marini at Wane-TV for his great local cover or area players this year.

• Kiermaier, Squires Picked On Wednesday
• New Haven Grad Bischoff Drafted
• Norwell Grad Woodward Drafted
• Angola Grad Dygert Picked By Astros

I haven’t seen anything official from the Mariners yet, so take it however you will.

I came across this interesting post indicating that former DeKalb standout, Jarrett Grube has signed a Minor League deal with Seattle and will report to their Triple-A club in Tacoma tomorrow.

Grube had been playing with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He joined the Blue Crabs mid-season last year after being released by the Colorado Rockies, who drafted him in the 10th round of the 2004 Draft from the University of Memphis. Although primarily used as a reliever in Colorado’s system, Grube was used mostly as a starter while with Southern Maryland.

In eight games with the Blue Crabs this season, Grube is 3-3 with a 2.06 ERA. He has 36 strikeouts while walking 15 over 48 innings pitched.

Related BBIFW Posts/Pages:

• Corunna Native, Grube to Host Camp
• Local Ties
• Half Way There: A Mid-Season Look at Local Ties