Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Justin Masterson’

There were a lot of deals and moves at the non-waiver trade deadline that have Fort Wayne ties. Here’s a rundown of those that I noticed:

Lobaton Claimed

The Tampa Bay Rays claimed former Wizards catcher Jose Lobaton off waivers from the Padres. Lobaton made his MBL debut earlier this season, but was designated Lobaton for assignment on Monday. In total, he played in seven games, going 3-for-17during his stint in San Diego.

Ready Promoted

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready was promoted to the Padres hitting coach. Ready managed in Fort Wayne for three seasons (2004-06) and is the all-time leader in wins for a manager. He joins another Fort Wayne coaching alum in San Diego: Padres’ pitching coach Darren Balsley. Balsley was the Fort Wayne pitching coach in 2000.

Peavy Traded

This deal has more ties that what is most obvious on the surface. Former Wizards pitcher, Jake Peavy was traded to the White Soz. In return the Padres got pitchers , Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter. In addition to the Wizards connection with Peavy, there is a good chance the trade will make Carter into a TinCap. Clayton Richard is from Lafayette. You might have interest in Paul DePodesta’s thoughts on this deal.

Masterson Traded to Tribe

Okay, the more prominent headline here is probably Victory Martinez traded to Red Sox. However, one of the players that Cleveland got in return was pitcher Justin Masterson. Sure, that club is managed by Fort Wayne native Eric Wedge, but a lesser known fact is that Masterson – the first Jamaican-born baseball player pitcher to appear in a Major League game –  lived in Bluffton for a short while.

Tickets for the TinCaps home opener at Parkview Field sold out in 28 minutes. In actuality, there were still a few lawn section tickets available, but all the fixed seat tickets sold out fast. Glad I got mine. The new on-lien ordering system is great.

Another blogger to watch this season is Anna Lynch McClaryMc. I suspect we’ll be seing some great shots of the TinCaps and Parkview Field once the season gets underway.

Hot-Prospects has a nice little write-up on Blake Tekotte, who is likely to be among the innagural TinCaps squad:

The speedy U of Miami alum had a power outbreak in 2008 belting 13 HR with the Hurricanes prior to being drafted in the 3rd round by the Padres . . . is a scrappy player who gets the most out of his skills and strives to refine every aspect of his game.

Fort Wayne Native and current Gulf Coast Community College player, Mike Morrison is battling a sore back that has had him out of several games lately. He’s a key component of the Commadore’s offense, which has been struggling since he’s been on the mend:

“That’s a huge loss for us,” (Mike) Kandler said. “He’s a middle-of-the-lineup guy and not easily replaced.”

According to Baseball America, former Wizards Pitcher, Jon Huber has signed a Minor League deal with the Detroit Tigers:

Huber, 27, appeared poised to earn a place in the Mariners’ bullpen following a breakout 2006 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma. But a strained forearm—sandwiched between 44 ineffective innings in Triple-A and the majors—cut short his ’07 follow-up. Another shaky season with Tacoma in ’08 preceded his first foray into minor league free agency. The Tigers (and their flimsy bullpen) seem like a suitable landing place for Huber, who despite a lofty ERA and WHIP figures in Triple-A (5.60 and 1.55, respectively) has managed a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk (122-to-40) ratio in 144 2/3 innings. That, coupled with a four-pitch mix (his curve and change are vestiges of his early career as a starter), could spell back of the bullpen material.

The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) has a wonderful article about former Wizards pitcher, Wynn Pelzer. Pelzer was a lot of fun to watch at the Castle last season – and to listen to during his guest appearances on the Bear. A lot of folks don’t know that Pelzer came to Fort Wayne pretty fresh off a significant leg injury:

A line-drive shattered his knee cap, causing him to spend part of last offseason with a cast running from the top of his hip down his leg. There was nothing wrong with that arm, and for most pitchers that’s a good thing. But Pelzer generates his fastball with his base. So when it was time to head to Peoria, Ariz., last year and start doing some professional pitching in spring training, Pelzer didn’t know exactly what to expect from his body.

There’s also some good video of the interview here.

Another Major Leaguer with Fort Wayne ties – one that many don’t realize – is Boston hurler, Justin Masterson:

His father was a youth pastor in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before taking the post as Dean of Students at Jamaica Theological Seminary (where he had once been a foreign exchange student).

If I remember correctly, during their time in Indiana, the Masterson family lived in or around Bluffton.