Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for the ‘TinCaps Alumni’ Category

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Former Fort Wayne RHP Brandon Gomes made his major-league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. He became the 97th Fort Wayne alum to reach the big leagues. Gomes, 26, opened the season with Triple-A Durham, going 0-1 with six saves and a 1.35 ERA to earn a promotion to Tampa Bay. Since joining the Rays’ bullpen, he has delivered 3.1 hitless innings.

“Brandon is just the latest of so many players who have come through Fort Wayne on their way to accomplishing their dreams of playing in the major leagues,” TinCaps president Mike Nutter said. “We take pride in showcasing the major-leaguers of the future each night at Parkview Field.”

Gomes was drafted by the Padres in the 17th round of the 2007 draft and went 5-6 with a 4.10 ERA in Fort Wayne in 2007 and 2008. He shifted to the bullpen in 2008 and shot up the minor-league chain. Gomes was part of a four-player package traded to the Rays this off-season in exchange for SS Jason Bartlett.

Former Fort Wayne Wizards right-hander Corey Kluber is going to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team deal that sends Jake Westbrook to the St. Louis Cardinals and Ryan Ludwick to San Diego. Current TinCaps’ pitcher Nick Greenwood is going to St. Louis.

The Cardinals got cash along with Westbrook from the Indians. St. Louis also acquired left-hander Nick Greenwood from San Diego. The 22-year-old Greenwood was 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA at Class A Fort Wayne.

Nick Greenwood as a Member of the TinCaps

Kluber played in Fort Wayne with the Wizards in 2008, the last year for the Wizards. He went 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA, and 72 strikeouts while yielding 13 walks in 56 innings pitched. On the 2010 season, he’s appeared in 22 games for Double-A San Antonio Missions. He is 6-6 with a 3.45 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 122.2 innings pitched.

Greenwood was a 14th-round pick of the Padres in 2009 and appeared in 3 games with the TinCaps that year, striking out 3 and earning a save in 3 innings pitched. On the 2010 season, Greenwood is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA, and 65 strikeouts over 21 games (17 starts). He also has a save.

photo by Chad Gramling, taken at Parkview Field in 2010.

The San Diego Padres have made some moves that include three former Fort Wayne players. The first TinCap to hit the Majors, Mat Latos has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Latos has a strained muscle on his left side, and the move was retroactive to July 9. He’s expected back  for his July 24th start in Pittsburgh. Let’s hope he has a short stint on the DL. His outstanding season has him currently at 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA.

The Padres recalled right-hander Ernesto Frieri and outfielder Luis Durango from Triple-A Portland. Frieri made his MLB debut  last season. On the year, with Triple-A Portland, he is 3-1 with 17 saves and a 1.43 ERA. Durango also debuted late last season and has appeared in six big league games this year, going 5 for 13 with a .385 with two RBI and three runs scored.

Thought I would take a little time and update where many of the former Wizards and TinCaps are playing currently:

Let’s start with the easiest – that being the Padres. On their active roster, are former WizCaps, Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, Nick Hundley, Chase Headley, Lance Zawadzki, Kyle Blanks and Will Veneble. Others who are on their 40-man roster (but not active roster) are; Ernesto Frieri, Seve Garrison, Cesar Ramos, Matt Antonelli, and Luis Durango.

After having been released by the Padres during spring, Chad Huffman was quickly picked up by the Yankees. Padres front-office exec Paul DePodesta expressed regret. Friar Forecast called it “no big deal.” In 14 games with the Triple-A Scranton Wiles-Barre Yankees, Huffman is batting .204 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI. He’s struck out 12 time sin 54 at-bats.

Leo Rosales is still in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization and has seen big league action this year. However, he has landed on the DL due to a stress fracture in his right foot. Oddly, he first felt discomfort when he got fellow Fort Wayne alumnus Kyle Blanks (Padres) to ground into a double play

Luke Carlin is nearby in Indianapolis with the the Pittsburgh Pirate’s Triple-A Affiliate, the Indy Indians. The catcher is putting up some pretty solid offensive numbers in 13 games so far on the young season.

Another former ‘zards catcher, Jose Lobaton, is now in the Tampa Bay organization. He served as the backup for two days while Dioner Navarro served a two-game suspension last week. He’s since been optioned back to Triple-A. Also on the Durham Bulls’ roster are former Wizards Dale Thayer and J.J. Furmaniak.

Eddie Bonine is putting logging some big leage innings with Detroit. Perhaps the return of his knuckleball is the magic formula this time around.

“He’s a very useable big league pitcher,” Leyland said of the 28-year-old. “Will he knock your lights out? No. But he’s been a winner wherever he’s been.”

The Camden Riversharks seems to be the preferred indy team for former Wizards. Their current roster includes pitchers Travis Chick and Jon Ellis as well as infielders Brett Bonvechio and Brian Burgamy.

Everyone’s favorite wipping boy, Matt Bush is trying to not only save his career but redeem his life with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the season, he’s seen one game with the class A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Dirk Hayhurst remains with Toronto – but he’s also gained a lot of attention for his New York Times Bestseller, The Bullpen Gospels. He’s also got his own site/blog. Unfortunately, he is likely to miss most of the season following shoulder surgery in February.

Freddy Guzman is in the Phillies organization. He’s currently assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Jared Wells is currently with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Houston Astros organization.

Wilton Lopez is with the Houston Astros organization, currently playing at Triple-A Round Rock, but he has seen big league action on the season already and he remains on the 40-man roster. Another former Wizard, Yordany Ramirez is also on the 40-man roster, but has yet to see big league action at any point in his career. He too is at Triple-A and is hitting .265 with a home run and 6 RBI over 16 games.

Okay, I know I took the offseason off. Probably will not get back to posting as frequently as in the past, but the locla landscape has changed a lot and there is plenty of news sites out there to keep you in the know. I’ll do what I can to supplement with intriguing and interesting content as time allows.

Here’s a recap of some offseason news and info you might have missed:

Matt Stairs is the first position player in the modern era to play for 12 teams. It comes at the expense of former Wizard, Chad Huffman, who was DFA’d by the Padres. I personally don’t understand that move.

They also added lefty Cesar Ramos when they put Joe Thatcher on the DL. He’s excited to be back with the big club after having made his debut last year.

Former Wizards infielder, Ray Chang is playing for the Double-A Portland Salt Dogs in the Red Sox’s organization.

Former Wizards catcher, Luke Carlin could not crack the Pittsburgh lineup and was sent down. Good chance he’ll be playing in Indiana again – with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Former DeKalb High School standout and Colorado Rockies farmhand, Jarrett Grube returns to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He joined them midway through the 2009 season. Although he was used as a reliever during his Coloradotenure “Grube excelled as a starter for Southern Maryland last season. In 16 total appearances he started 12 times, and put together a 3-1 record with a 3.36 ERA. He struck out 56 opposed to just 21 walks in 75 innings.”

In other Indy League news, former Wizards infielder, Brett Bonvechio signed a one-year contract with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League.

Former TinCaps’ pitcher, Simon Castro captured a lot of attention this spring. Particularly, from former Wizards catcher, Nick Hundley:

“Castro has been amazing,” Hundley said. “He’s got great energy. He has really got a feel for every one of his pitches. I didn’t realize he was as advanced as he is.”

The Padres’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 28 games and was a big part of the TinCaps taking the Midwest League crown.

Random notes and signings involving Fort Wayne players and other local ties:

Former Wizard, David Pauley has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners. The 26-year-old spent 2009 in the Orioles system, posting a 4.37 ERA in 152.1 Triple-A innings. (h/t MLBTradeRumors)

The Padres have invited a slew of former WizCaps to spring training, including; Simon Castro, Ernesto Freiri, Mat Latos, Jackson Quezada, Wynn Pelzer, Wade LeBlanc, Steve Garrison, Cory Luebke, Mitch Canham, James Darnell, Lance Zawadzki, Matt Antonelli, Kyle Blanks, Luis Durango, Chad Huffman, and Will Venable. I don’t think this is an all inclusive list. You’ll also note that Michael Ekstrom and Greg Burke are on the list. Neither are with San Diego any longer. Ekstrom was snatched by the Rays off waivers and Burke has been placed on unconditional waivers and will likely be claimed or become a free agent.

The San Diego Padres on Tuesday announced Jose Flores will manage the 2010 Fort Wayne TinCaps. Pitching coach Bronswell Patrick comes to Fort Wayne from Short-A Eugene while Tom Tornincasa returns for his seventh season as hitting coach and athletic trainer Nate Stewart is back after a brief stopover in 2009.

“This entire field staff comes with high praise from the Padres,” TinCaps president Mike Nutter said. “We know Tom has done a great job every year he’s been here, Nate was excellent when he helped us out last year and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Jose and Bronswell. We expect these guys to come in and help the players fulfill their potential.”

Flores, 36, managed the Padres’ Arizona Rookie League club the last two seasons, finishing with a combined record of 61-51. Prior to making his managerial debut, he served as the hitting coach for the Short-A Eugene Emeralds in 2007. Flores was a 34th-round pick in the 1994 draft out of the University of Texas and played professionally as an infielder in the minor leagues for parts of 13 seasons in seven organizations. He played 16 games in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics (2002) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2004). Flores completed his playing career after the 2006 season. He has managed notable players including RHPs Mat Latos and Brad Brach, C Robert Lara and Arizona Rookie League MVPs Jaff Decker and Cody Decker.

Patrick, 39, will log his third season as a pitching coach in 2010, all with the Padres. He spent the 2008 season as Flores’ pitching coach in the Arizona Rookie League and moved to Short-A Eugene in 2009. Both seasons, Patrick’s pitching staffs issued the fewest walks in the league. He was drafted by Oakland in the 23rd round in 1988 out of Conley High School in Winterville, N.C. Patrick pitched 12 seasons in the minor leagues, including parts of two seasons with the Midwest League’s Madison Muskies. He made it to the major leagues in 1998 with the Brewers and 1999 with the
Giants. Patrick played parts of four seasons in the Mexican League and one in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. In 2003, he went 13-2 to lead the Mexico City Red Devils to their 14th league title. Patrick finished his playing career in 2005.

Tornincasa, 54, returns for his seventh season as Fort Wayne’s hitting coach. His first stint came from 2001-04 and he returned in 2008. This is Tornincasa’s 11th season coaching in the Padres’ organization. He has coached as high as the Double-A level, helping San Antonio to a Texas League title in 2007. Last year under Tornincasa’s tutelage, Fort Wayne’s hitters led the Midwest League by drawing 681 walks (4.9 per game) and scoring 736 runs (5.3 per game). Tornincasa joined the Padres’ organization in 2000 as a coach with the Arizona Rookie League Padres. After spending 2001-04 with Fort Wayne, he made his way to Advanced-A Lake Elsinore for 2005-06. Two of his teams have won championships: the 2007 San Antonio Missions and the 2009 Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Tornincasa played shortstop in college at Stanislaus (CA) State, appearing in the 1978 Division III World Series. He played professionally for two seasons in Mexico and coached at the collegiate level for Cal Baptist in Riverside, CA.

Stewart has served as a trainer in the Padres’ organization for the last four seasons, all with Short-A Eugene. He filled in with Fort Wayne for approximately a month during the 2009 season after Ernesto Vega, Jr. accepted a job outside of baseball. Stewart earned his degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2002. He spent a year as a high-school health teacher and athletic trainer in Arizona before joining the Padres’ organization.

Doug Dascenzo, the TinCaps’ 2009 manager and the franchise’s winningest manager, moves to Double-A San Antonio. Tom Bradley, the TinCaps’ pitching coach in 2009, moves to Short-A Eugene.

TinCaps 2010 Staff in Short:

Manager Jose Flores
Born: June 28, 1973, in New York, N.Y.
College: University of Texas
Seasons Coaching: 3 (2010 will be his fourth, his third as manager, all with Padres)
2009 Assignment: Manager, Peoria Padres, Arizona Rookie League
Managerial Record:
Year Team Organization Record
2008 AZL Padres (Rookie-level) Padres 33-23
2009 AZL Padres (Rookie-level) Padres 28-28_
Total 2 Seasons 61-51
Playing Background: 34th-round pick by the Phillies in the 1994 draft; 13 pro seasons in seven
organizations (.278-34-442). Played 16 games in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics
(2002) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2004).
Trivia: Tied for the Texas Longhorns’ team lead in 1994 with 21 stolen bases.

Pitching Coach Bronswell Patrick
Born: September 16, 1970, in Greenville, N.C.
Seasons Coaching: 2 (2010 will be his third, all as pitching coach, all with Padres)
2009 Assignment: Pitching Coach, Eugene Emeralds, Short-A Northwest League
Playing Background: 23rd-round pick in the 1988 draft; 12 pro seasons in five American
organizations. Pitched 38 games in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers (1998) and San
Francisco Giants (1999), combining for a 5-1 record, 5.04 ERA.
Trivia: Played in the Chinese Professional League in 2005 for a team called the Brother Elephants.

Hitting Coach Tom Tornincasa
Born: July 2, 1955
Seasons Coaching: 10 (2010 will be his 11th, all as hitting coach, all with Padres)
2009 Assignment: Hitting Coach, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Class-A Midwest League
Playing Background: Played shortstop at Stanislaus (Calif.) State University, leading the club to
the 1978 NCAA Division-III College World Series. Played two seasons professionally in Mexico.
Trivia: Under Tornincasa’s tutelage, Fort Wayne hitters have led the Midwest League in walks the
last two seasons.

Padres’ youth movement hits Triple-A Portland hard: Several former Fort Wayne players; including Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Mat Latos and Greg Burke have seen big league action this year. It’s also spelt a drain on talent for Triple-A Portland. With the likelihood of others (such as Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby winner, Chad Huffman) trickling onto the Padres’ roster in the coming weeks, the chances of Portland improving upon their league worst win-loss record doesn’t look good.

Speaking of Kyle Blanks, he’s starting to earn more widespread attention:

• Nick Canepa (Union Tribune) suggests he has a shot to be legendary
• Dan Hayes (North County Times) shoots the  breeze

Speaking of Will Venable, the former Wizards outfielder has been fortunate enough to play under close tutilage of his father, Max Venable, a former big leaguer who used to be the hitting coach in Fort Wayne. But apparently it was his mother’s advice that kept her son in baseball rather than the pursuit of hooop dreams. See Also: Venable Has Been a Quick Study.

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready has been promoted to the Padre’s hitting coach. Probably a move that also is intended to help keep him in the organization rather than jumping ship to be a big league manager when teams start interviewing to fill soon-to-be vacancies.

Mat Latos is also drawing a lot of acclaim since rising from Fort Wayne to the big leauges earlier this season. He netted his first MLB win in his second start. He allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 Padres’ win over the Washington Nationals. He went seven innings in his next start before allowing former Wizards, Michael Ekstrom and Burke to finish his win in a game that also saw a Blanks homer.

While it’s early to call Latos the next San Diego ace of the staff, it’s probably refreshing news following the trade of the former incumbant, Jake Peavy, to the White Sox. In fact, Friday night, Latos gave up seven runs and eight hits in four-plus innings, leading to a 9-2 loss to the Cardinals. The 21-year-old had won his last four starts and was the first Padres pitcher in history to win four of his first five career starts.

More Latos:

• Latos Has Look of Potential Ace – SignonSanDiego
• Latos knows he must control emotions – SignonSanDiego
• It’s early, but there’s a lot to like about Latos – SignonSanDiego
• Latos leads rookie barrage in victory – MLB.com
• Latos Strong in Second Start – Another Padres Blog
• New kid Latos tough vs. Braves – SignonSanDiego
• Quick glance at Latos through PITCHf/x - Another Padres Blog
• Latos’ Early Struggles Against Lefties - FanGraphs
• Latos Shows Promise in Debut – Friar Forum
• Better Latos than Never – San Antonio Missions
• Mission Accomplished: Latos Nails Down First Win – SignonSanDiego
• Calling on Latos – Friar Forecast

On another Jake Peavy note, the former Wizard and Padre has begun his rehab work with the White Sox. He struck out five in his first assignment.

TinCaps right hander, Simon Castro took the seventh Midwest League honor earlier in the month when he was selected as MWL Pitcher of the Week for the week ending Augst 2nd. At the time, he was leading the league in strikeouts with 125 and had just concluded two dominant startswhere he allowed just one run while struck out out 15 over ten innings.

Current White Sox catcher, A.J. Pierzynski hopes to remain in Chicago but realizes tha the might have to try the free agent waters if the up and coming (and cheaper) competition continue to press.

Off the DL: Nick Hundley, Torii Hunter

Taking a Look at the Padres Prospects (requires MadFriars subscription):

• Doug Dascenzo
• Tom Tornicasa
• Tom Bradley

Speaking of MadFriars, FriarForecast recently caught up with John Conniff following his trip to Fort Wayne. He provides his take on the new erea of baseball in Fort Wayne

Wizards Where R They?

• Paul McAnulty: After being released by Boston, McAnulty signed with the Colorado Rockies. He’s now playing with the Triple-A SkySox.
• Jose Lobaton: The Tampa Bay Rays claimed the catcher off waivers from the Padres and assigned him to Double-A Montgomery.
• Freddy Guzman: Now playing in Triple-A Norfolk with the Orioles organization.
• Josh Barfield: After not getting claimed off waivers, Barfield was outrighted from Indian’s 40-Man Roster.

Finally, Paul DePodesta shares his thoughts on the current prospects in the Padres’ system. Many of them are former Wizards/TinCaps.

Tomorrow, Mat Latos will make his Major League debut when he takes the mound for the San Diego Padres against the Colorado Rackies. When he does so, he will have gone from A-Ball to the Majors is what amounts to half a season. Granted, this was not his first year in A-ball:

He made his professional debut with the short-season Single-A Eugene Emeralds in 2007, going 1-4 with a 3.83 ERA, although he struck out 74 in 56 1/3 innings. Latos was limited to 56 innings last season with three low Single-A and Rookie teams due to spending three months on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. After spending time in the Padres’ major league camp this spring, Latos’start of the season was slightly delayed by a sprained ankle. He opened with low Single-A Fort Wayne [signonsandiego.com].

The 21-year-old right hander was drafted by the Padres in the 11th round (333rd overall) of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. In 2008, he appeared in seven games with the Wizards, going 0-3 with a 3.28 earned run average. He struck out 23 and walked eight over 24.2 innings pitched.

This year, he began the season with the TinCaps, where he compiled a 3-0 record and a miniscule .036 earned run average while striking out 27 and walking just three over 25.1 inning spitched.

Since his promotion to Double-A San Antonio, he has dominated nearly as much. In nine games that spans 47 innings, Latos is 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA, while striking out 46.

“He’s answered the call on everything we’ve asked him to do,” Padres vice president of scouting and player development Grady Fuson said after Latos was promoted to San Antonio in May. “He’s down in the strike zone, his velocity is great, his changeup is great. He’s ready to be challenged [MLB.com].

Latos’ debut will mark the 83rd Fort Wayne alumnus to make the Majors. He’ll be the seventh on the season and hold the distinction of being the first (and only for the moment) who played while wearing both a Wizards jersey and a TinCaps jersey.

UPDATE: TinCaps Issue Press Release:

“We knew Mat had huge potential, but this has even exceeded our expectations,” TinCaps team president Mike Nutter said. “I can’t express how proud we are of Mat’s maturation. He is a great example of the baseball talent our fans watch every night at Parkview Field.” 

Read the full release at TinCaps.com.

Word over at MadFriars is Mat Latos – yes the same Mat Latos who started the year at Fort Wayne – is getting called up to San Diego in the near future. He’ll become the first player who wore both a Wizards and TinCaps jersey to make his MLB debut. More on this as it develops. Congratz Mat!

The San Diego Padres will call up right-hander Mat Latos to the big leagues in the coming days. On Monday he put together an impressive performance at the Futures Game.

Latos hit 96 mph five times during an eight-pitch inning, netting two ground outs and a fly out in his lone inning of work at the Futures Game.

He has not allowed a run in four of his nine starts across two leagues and has given up two runs or less in seven of those. He had a perfect game through five innings in his last outing with San Antonio before being removed due to pitch count.