Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘baseball’

• Josh Barfield – Can he make it back? We should see his brother come through Fort Wayne a time or two this summer too.
• Jack Cassel – Can he make it?
• David Freese – Out to prove 2008 was no fluke and that he is ready to make the MLB roster. Will the Achilles injury kill his chances at a starting gig?
• Dale Thayer – He’s made his case. Will start at Triple-A. Is there room for him in the Rays bullpen?
• Luis Cruz – It’s likely he’ll make the Bucs’ roster. Will he start?
• Will Venable – An unexpected breakout? Methinks so.
• Chase Headley – Where’s he gonna play? Will he skyrocket?
• Kyle Blanks – Will he terrorize triple-A? Will he stay in the Friar’s system? Will he play outfield?
• George Kottaras – He has the backup job as Boston’s catcher . . . for now.
• Dirk Hayhurst – From Prospect to Non-Prospect to Major Leaguer to Blue Jays Waiver Wire Claim to Blue Jays release for Matt Bush to Minor League deal. Where does he go from here?
• David Pauley – Can he win a spot with Baltimore after being traded out of Boston?
• Nick Hundley - Enters the season as the Padres starting catcher. Sizzle or fizzle?
• Freddy Guzman - Broken bone in hand killed his shot at an Opening Day roster spot in Seattle. Will it kill his shot for the whole season?
• Michael Cuddyer - The last remaining Twin from the Wizards days as a Minnesota affiliate. Can he return from an injury plagued 2008?
• Eddie Bonine and Jaun Rincon - Will Detroit give Eddie a place in the rotation and can Rincon win a bullpen gig?
• Travis Chick – Is it the last shot for this longshot?
• Jon Link – After a great 2008 in Birmingham, does he stick it out in Triple-A all of 2009 or does he move up to the Majors?
• Leo Rosales and Luke Carlin – Can these former Wizards win spots with the Diamondbacks?
• Ray Chang – He was the talk of the early WBC days. Can he make Pittsburgh fans talk as much? I will probably catch him during an Indy roadtrip if he gets assigned to Triple-A.
• Greg Burke - Heath Bell is the heir to Hoffman as closer in SD. Will Burke be the top set-up man?
• Kyler Burke - First round draft choice did a disappearing act after being traded to the Cubs for Michael Barret and Fort Wayne native, Rob Bowen. Does he still have a shot to fulfill his promise?
• Matt LeCroy – Former Wizards and MLB catcher has entered the managing ranks with the Single-A Washington Nationals affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns. Will be fun to follow his progress up the manager ranks a la Randy Ready.
• Rand Ready – Speaking of Ready, he’s probably on most short lists of managerial candidates for any team who might consider replacing their manager (there’s at least one or two during every season). Will he move up or stay in Portland all season?
• JJ Furmaniak – He’s back in the mainland in Phillies camp after a year in Japan. Where’s he going to ultimately land to start the season and how will he perform once he gets there?
• Matt Bush – The oft-injured, highly touted shortstop turned oft-injured, impressive pitcher makes his return from Tommy John surgery. What are the Blue Jays going to do with him?
• Josh Geer – the fifth spot to join Jake Peavy in the rotation seems to be his to lose. Will his elbow hold up?
• Cubs Backup 3B Battle: Can Bobby Scales or Luis Rivas win the gig?

When Corey Koskie singed with the Cubs not long ago, he became the third former Wizard trying to win the backup thrid base job. His resume might have even given him a slight edge in the competition. However, yesterday, he left Thursday’s game with was was said to be an illness.

That “illness” turned out to be light-headedness and “could be related to the post-concussion symptoms he has battled most of the last two years.”  Reports are now surfacing that Koskie is set to formally retire.

Paul Sullivan, in commenting on the Cubs’ current plans, does not mention either of the other two former wizards, Bobby Scales or Luis Rivas as possible contenters for the role:

At this point, Aaron Miles will assume the role when Mike Fontenot is playing second, and vice versa. Neither has much of a history at third base. Recent pickup Esteban German has played third but is not expected to make the final cut.

Update (3:46PM EST): Koskie Makes it Official

“This is what I love to do — I love being out there, being with the guys, the whole competition,” he said. “There’s no way you can replace it. But at some point you have to look at it realistically and say, ‘Is it really worth sacrificing the rest of your life for a game?’”

Update (9:23PM EST): Koskie’s retirement not a shock

“He’s been through a lot,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Koskie, who played third base for the Twins from 1998-2004. “He took a shot at it. He tried to come back and it just doesn’t feel right. I think it all gets down to quality of life after you finish playing the game, which he realized.”

Related BBIFW Posts:

• Who’s On Third? Koskie is Third Former Wizard Seeking Cubs Gig
• Free Agent Koskie Thinking Return for 2008
• Cubs Invite Scales and Rivas to Spring Training
• Rivas Adjusting to Short
• Rivas Seeking Spot with Pittsburgh

Here’s a look at early spring performances from some former Wizards who are in Padres camp this Spring:

• Kyle Blanks: In 15 games (40 at-bats), he’s hitting .325 with a .429 OBP, 3 home runs and 9 RBIs
• Will Venable: In 12 games (37 at-bats), he’s hitting .297 with a .333 OBP
• Drew Macias: In 15 games (36 at-bats), he’s hitting .278 with a  .350 OBP and a home run
• Chase Headley: In 10 games (30 at-bats), he’s hitting .267 with a .313 OBP, a home run and 8 RBIs
• Matt Antonelli: In 14 games (25 at-bats), he’s hitting .320 with a .433 OBP
• Cedric Hunter: In 15 games (22 at-bats), he’s hitting .227 with a .308 OBP
• Chad Huffman: In 14 games (21 at-bats), he’s hitting .333 with a .517 OBP, 2 home runs and 6 RBIs
• Nick Hundley: In 8 games (19 at-bats), he’s hitting .316 with a .350 OBP
• Brett Dowdy:  In 10 games (13 at-bats), he’s hitting .462 with a .500 OBP
• Mitch Canham: In 10 games (11 at-bats), he’s hitting .273 with a .500 OBP
• Colt Morton: In 7 games (10 at-bats), he’s hitting .300 with a .417 OBP
• Greg Burke: In 5 games (5.2 innings pitched), he has a 4.76 ERA with 6 K’s and a walk
• Mike Ekstron: In 4 games (3.2 innings pitched), he has a 14.73 ERA with 1 K and a walk
• Cesar Ramos:  In 4 games (5.2 innings pitched), he has a 9.53 ERA with 3 K’3 and 3 walks
• Nick Schmidt: In 4 games (4 innings pitched), he has an 11.25 ERA with 1 K and 3 walks
• Josh Geer:  In 3 games (7 innings pitched), he has a 6.43 ERA with 4 K’s and a walks
• Wade LeBlanc:  In 3 games (6 innings pitched), he has a 10.53 ERA with 6 K’s and 5 walks

In related Wizards and Fort Wayne ties:

• Dale Thayer (optioned to the Rays’ Triple-A Durham)
• J.J. Furmaniak (assigned to Phillies’ Minor League Camp)
• Freddy Guzman (assigned to Mariners’ Minor League Camp)
• Rob Bowen – Rumors are posted here and here as well as elsewhere that the Fort Wayne native has been placed on waivers by Oakland. The A’s assistant general manager, David Forst, disputed the report: “Don’t you think we’d put out a release on that?” Forst said. “That’s absolutely not true.”

Several local standouts have taken their games to the college level. Recently, some of their names have appeared on the web:

Ball State’s baseball team boasts a handful of represenatives from Northeast Indiana. A recent game against Southern Illinois University featured two of them. In the contest, junior catcher Zach Dygert (Angola) drove in three runs and reached base four times. In that same game, junior right fielder Ryan Chenoweth (Homestead) collected a double in his last at-bat to bring the game-tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, the Cardinal’s bid to come from behind fell short.

In another close contest, Kreigh Williams (Norwell) scored the game tying run for Rose-Hulman to take the game into extra innings. The team fell short and lost 4-3. Ryan Fuller (Elmhurst) also tossed two scoreless innings for Rose-Hulman in the game.

FanGraphs recently reviewed the Arizona Diamondbacks’ farm system. And of course, no analysis of the D-backs’ system would be complete without mentioning of Jarrod Parker:

Jarrod Parker is the system’s best prospect but some of the enthusiasm that saw him get drafted ninth overall has been tempered. He is no longer viewed as a future No. 1 stud starter, but more of a solid and reliable No. 2 or 3 starter. He allowed 113 hits in 117 A-ball innings in 2008. Parker also posted rates of 2.52 BB/9 and 8.95 K/9. The right-hander has four solid pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, curveball, slider and change-up. At the age of 20, Parker will likely begin the year in High-A ball but could taste Double-A by the end of the year.

Speaking of Jarrod Parker, I recently got to thinking about an intersting tidbit that I don’t think many people have realized yet.

As you may recall, Jarrod Parker pitched the final game in Memorial Stadium. By all accounts, it was the first time in the sixteen year history of the park that a local product appeared in a game there (if you know of any others, please correct me). It took a decade and a half to get a local product on the field at Memorial Stadium.

It might take one day to achieve the same feat at Parkview Field.

Last year, Kyle Day (Snider) was taken in the 12th round by the Cincinnati Reds. He signed and played in 31 games with the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer (Rookie) League. I’m not sure how the Reds run their minor league system, but I would think that given his experience from last season and that he has college experience, he may start the season with the Red’s Single-A Midwest League affiliate, the Dayton Dragons.

Take a look at the TinCaps’ schedule. Who do they play on Opening Day at Parkview Field? That’s right, the Dayton Dragons.

Then agian, since he has college ezperience, he may get started at High-A Sarasota. I’ve searched around for information on Day’s 2009 outlook and have come up empty thus far. Anyoen have any insight?

So far, in my estimation, the story of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is former Wizards infielder, Ray Chang. Earlier this spring, he emerged almost as a novelty by being one of three players on China’s WBC team who has an affiliation with a Major League Baseball organization. But, the fact that he was raised in Kansas City and speaks perfect English made him even more appealing.

Chang quitely moved up the organizational ladder with the Padres after being signed as an undrafted free agent. before being released last year. He now plays in the Pirates organization.

Last night, Chang proved to be more than a novelty act by homering and driving in two runs to help China beat Taiwan 4-1 for its first win in the World Baseball Classic. Chang also “made his team’s final out with a slick play at shortstop (Yahoo)”

“I’m just real pleased that I could help my team,” he said.

Collins said Chang “played great for us.”

“He has made good plays defensively and got some big hits. This is a great win for our team and all of China.”

For those who are interested, here are some other BBIFW posts about Chang:

• Who the Heck is Ray Chang?
• Ray Chang Surprises with Perfect English
• Former Wizards Likely to Debut in 2009 – Part III

Here are some other news and blog items that have recently appeared about Chang:

• Ray Chang homers as China beats Taiwan 4-1 in World Baseball Classic (Yahoo Sports)
• Mission Cap of the Night: Ray Chang (Fifty Mission Cap)
• WBC Pool A: China upsets and eliminates Taiwan (Mister Baseball – Germany)
• The WBC’s a hit — in Tokyo, anyway (Chicago Tribune)
• Team China keeps it interesting, but loses first game to Team Japan, 4-0, in WBC opener (Examiner.com)
• Rockhurst grad plays for China in World Baseball Classic (Kansas City.com)

This is easily the quote of the day:

“I don’t think they’ve developed testing policies for performance enhancing faith hankies yet.”

For more, read the Non-Prospect ramblings of former Wizards pitcher and current Blue Jays farmhand, Dirk Hayhurst.

Just yesterday, I was thinking that I hadn’t seen any news on former Wizard Matt Bush since he ended up in Tornoto. Then comes this – with a hat tip to Friar John:

J.P. Ricciardi and player development director Dickie Scott could not have been any clearer with Matt Bush, the former first-overall pick of the San Diego Padres whose checkered past now has him with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“We’re big on second chances,” Ricciardi, the Blue Jays general manager said. “Third chances? We’re not so big on that.”

There are people in uniform who will tell you Bush has the best slider in camp. Roy Halladay, for one, might make the case after watching one of Bush’s bullpen sessions with reliever B.J. Ryan. “Some kinda arm,” Halladay said.

Add former Wizard, LaTroy Hawkins to the USA WBC roster. In a bit of an ironic twist, he replaces the Twins’ closer, Joe Nathan. Hawkins was a dominant set-up man for the Twins way back in the day.

Former Wizards catcher, Chad Moeller is hoping to win a spot with Baltimore even as uber-prospect Matt Weiters breathes down his neck:

But you won’t find Moeller, a nine-year veteran, obsessing over his lot in life. Instead, you’ll find a player whose perspective has gotten better with age, a backstop who knows he has more to give a big league team. Moeller, who has bounced through five teams since 2006, is hoping to stick with the Orioles as long as he can.

Corey Brock has spring trianing video of Chase Headley demonstrating how he has to throw differently in making the conversion from third base to left field.

Geoff over at Ducksnorts has announced the availability of a ddownloadable excerpt of his Ducksnorts 2009 Annual. If you follow the Wizards/TinCaps at all or are a Padres fan, YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK. Here’s what Geoof has to say about it:

I am pleased (and relieved) to announce that excerpts from the Ducksnorts 2009 Baseball Annual are now available as a free download (PDF, 226k). The download is 24 pages long and includes the following:

• From “Player Dashboards” — An explanation of what these things are, some league context, and dashboards for Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy
• From “Padres Farm Report” — An explanation of depth charts, player capsules, and commentary; also a spotlight on center field, with reports on Will Venable, Drew Macias, Cedric Hunter, Brad Chalk, Blake Tekotte, Jaff Decker, and Rymer Liriano
• From “Hatching a Franchise” — The introductory essay, plus a detailed review of June 1969 (including top performers of the month, a brief list of events from around the world, and the Padres ‘69 amateur draft)

The entire 254-page book will ready for purchase on Tuesday. Myron Logan over at Friar Forcast has this to say about initial impressions:

I read through most of the preview, and I’m amazed at how detailed the commentary is. I mean, it’s not like you get a few comments on the players. With Gonzalez and Peavy, the two players available in the preview, it’s basically a full-blown essay. And a very fun, informative read, too.

I also really like the presentation of the stats, especially giving last years season line, plus the DS community projection and Geoff’s own personal projection. On Gonzalez and Peavy, the community was remarkably close (as was GY).

Jean Havlish, who played shortstop for the Fort Wayne Daisies in 1953 and 1954 has donated her three-finger glove to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

“I got the glove in 1953 and played both years in the league with it,” Havlish said. “I even used it playing catch up to this year, and it’s in pretty good shape. I hated to part with it because it was a part of me, but I am very happy to have it in Cooperstown. It is overwhelming.”

Read more at the Hall of Fame’s website. Hat tip to Dan at OMGReds.com for referring the link.

Henline, the husky youth of Ossian, who has been pitching semi-professional ball hereabouts for some time, has signed a contract for a tryout with the Keokuk club of the Central association. Henline is quite well known in Fort Wayne baseball circles, having flung against local clubs on numerous occasions at Osslan (The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette; January 27, 1911).

The “Henline” of course was none other than a young Walter John “Butch” Henline, who played in the majors with the New York Giants, Brooklyn Robins, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox during a span from 1921-1931. He then served as an NL umpire from 1945 to 1948 and was on the staff of the 1947 All-Star game. As far as my research can tell, he did not make that Keokuk club. Their loss I guess.

The above photo is of Heline (right) greeting Earl Mack (Connie’s son) and is from my personal collection.