扣扣传媒

By Bob Wirz, Independent Baseball Insider The New York Yankees have added catcher Jose Gil to their major league spring training camp as a non-roster invitee. He spent years climbing through their farm system before ending up for a brief time last season in the Baltimore chain, and eventually needed a jump start back with...Read More

(Courtesy Lincoln Saltdogs) Lincoln, Neb. — After 13-plus years with the organization, Saltdogs Vice President/General Manager Tim Utrup is leaving Lincoln to become general manager for NC State’s Wolfpack Sports Properties. Utrup has been instrumental for the Saltdogs franchise since its inaugural season in 2001, highlighted by helping the club win the 2009 American Association...Read More

As the Australian Baseball League nears its postseason, a number of American Association players continue to make their mark in the league. – The league’s top club, the Perth Heat, have been led by St. Paul OF Brandon Tripp. (pictured, right) The two-time Player of the Week (October 31-November 3 and December 27-30) leads the...Read More

Independent Baseball Chatter – January 23 By Bob Wirz The Minnesota Twins’ minor league director of operations, Brad Steil, had glowing praise for the Independent leagues when speaking at a hot stove luncheon for the team鈥檚 Double-A farm club, New Britain, CT, last week: 鈥淚 think you鈥檝e seen not just in our organization but in...Read More

Arlington, Texas — Former Kansas City T-Bones manager Kenny Hook will serve as the hitting coach for the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers during the 2014 season, the Texas Rangers announced on January 8. The 13-team Arizona League, whose players are recent high school and college draftees, as well as young players from Latin America, plays...Read More

Durham, N.C. — The contract of Lincoln Saltdogs IF Curt Smith was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization on Friday. Smith will report to Cardinals’ spring training, and will likely be assigned to Double-A Springfield once the regular season starts. After joining the Saltdogs in July 2013, Smith had a excellent half-season in Lincoln,...Read More

Durham, N.C. 鈥� The San Francisco Giants purchased the contract of OF Tyler Graham from the Sioux City Explorers on Wednesday. Graham, who was claimed by the Explorers off of waivers in October, split the 2013 season between Fargo-Moorhead and Winnipeg. In 65 games with the two teams, the native of Great Falls, Mont., hit...Read More

The number of American Association alumni in big-league spring training camps continues to grow, as several others have received non-roster invitations in the last week. Among them: C Eddy Rodriguez (El Paso 2009, Sioux Falls 2010) – Tampa Bay LHP Ian Thomas (Winnipeg 2011) – Atlanta C Jose Yepez (Pensacola 2006) – Atlanta The three...Read More

American Association and Can-Am League Director of Umpires Kevin Winn points out that three of his 鈥済raduates鈥� to affiliated leagues are serving as instructors this fall in what is known as The Umpire School, one of two such operations which help arbiters qualify for assignment to the minor leagues. Clay Park (now in the Texas...Read More

Brian Burgamy, the switch-hitting infielder who finished 2013 as a power bat with St. Paul, had an explosive regular season in the Mexican Pacific League, winning the league’s home run title with 15 in 67 games.聽 Burgamy also led the league in on-base percentage (.419) and slugging percentage (.541) and was second in runs batted...Read More