Independent Baseball Chatter – by Bob Wirz John Holdzkom, who authored one of the American Association’s great stories in 2014 when he went from the league to the bullpen of the Pittsburgh Pirates in a matter of weeks, has been looking forward to a healthy start in the new season, but now must deal with...Read More
Durham, N.C. — The contract of Wichita Wingnuts RHP Paul Smyth was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization on Tuesday, the American Association announced. Smyth joined the Wingnuts in August 2015 from Somerset of the Atlantic League; in 12 relief appearances with Wichita, the 28-year-old earned 7 saves, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 12...Read More
Durham, N.C. — The Miami Marlins have purchased the contract of Lincoln Saltdogs OFÂ Dexter Kjerstad, the American Association announced on Friday. Kjerstad made an immediate impact after joining the Amarillo Thunderheads in July, hitting .300 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI and nine doubles. Despite playing in just 45 of his team’s 100 games, he...Read More
Nashville, Tenn. — Three American Association alumni were chosen in the Triple-A phase of today’s Rule 5 Draft at the Baseball Winter Meetings: RHP John Brebbia,  C Micah Gibbs (pictured) and RHP Patrick Johnson. Brebbia (Sioux Falls ’14, Laredo ’15) was selected by St. Louis from Arizona, after having his contracted purchased by the Lemurs from the Diamondbacks in...Read More
Kansas City, Kan. – With the issue of fan safety becoming increasingly important throughout baseball, the Kansas City T-Bones and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City announced plans to extend the backstop netting at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for the 2016 season. Although the exact dimensions are still being discussed, the new netting should extend to...Read More
Durham, N.C. — The contract of Gary SouthShore RailCats OF Anthony Cheky was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization on Wednesday, the league announced. Cheky joined the RailCats at the end of the 2015 season, appearing in three games and going 3-for-8 with a double and 3 RBI. Previously, the native of Portage, Ind., played...Read More
Independent Baseball Chatter – by Bob Wirz It is a well-known fact that not every Independent Baseball player who is signed by a major league organization actually gets to show off his skills in the glittering stadiums we all see on television. That does not mean some of those who fall short of their original...Read More
Grand Prairie, Texas –Southern Independent Baseball has named James Frisbie as the new Texas team manager, the club announced on Friday. The managerial addition comes shortly after last week’s news that the Grand Prairie AirHogs and Amarillo Thunderheads will temporarily unite for the 2016 season. Frisbee joins the ball club after three seasons with the Rockford Aviators,...Read More
Independent Baseball Chatter – By Bob Wirz David Espinosa finished his 15-year playing career this season, and already has launched a new one as Independent League Coordinator for the Miami Marlins. “I am in charge of scouting and networking all the Independent leagues, ” the 33-year-old Venezuelan native said, with added duties of coaching during...Read More
Durham, N.C. — The contract of Sioux City Explorers RHP Patrick Johnson, the American Association’s 2015 Pitcher of the Year, was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization on Friday. In 20 starts for the Explorers in 2015, Johnson put together one of the most impressive seasons in league history, going 15-1 with a 2.08 ERA, third-best in...Read More