By Bob Wirz Another recent American Association pitcher must feel like he has struck oil, this time in Japan. Tayler Scott, who received considerable attention last summer when he became the first South African native to pitch in the major leagues, has signed to play with the Hiroshima Carp, and NPBTracker.com, which helped announce the...Read More
By Bob Wirz It is not exactly new for a relief pitcher to mature in the American Association and not too much later find himself getting a major league opportunity.聽 Prime examples among current major leaguers include St. Louis’s John Brebbia (Sioux Falls and Laredo), Atlanta’s Chris Martin (Grand Prairie) and Tampa Bay’s Chaz Roe...Read More
By Bob Wirz 聽It is only a bad joke to say that every American Association player should be looking up to Chris Martin these days even if the Atlanta Braves reliever does measure out at a basketball-worthy 6-foot-8. The real reason to use Martin as an example to today’s players comes about because the right-handed...Read More
LINCOLN, NE 鈥 The Lincoln Saltdogs have hired James Frisbie as the team鈥檚 next field manager, the club has announced. Frisbie, 47, takes over for Bobby Brown, who managed the 鈥楧ogs in each of the last four seasons. 鈥淲e are extremely thrilled to welcome James Frisbie (Friz) to the Lincoln Saltdogs organization,鈥 said Saltdogs President/GM...Read More
Dozens of current and former American Association players are spending their off-seasons in the Venezuelan Winter League, highlighted by OF Denis Phipps (pictured, Laredo ’14-’16, Texas ’17), who leads the league with five home runs and 15 RBI for Anzoategui. Two league alumni are managing this season: Margarita’s Alex Nunez (Laredo ’16) and Anzoategui’s Jackson...Read More
By Bob Wirz While it still is early to know all of the teams headed to the resumption of baseball in the Olympics next year, some of those who have made the Premier 12 trials in Japan outstanding already can be identified. Onetime Gary SouthShore right-hander Adam Quintana has continued to help Mexico although another...Read More
MOORHEAD, MN 鈥 The American Association has announced the schedule for the 2020 season. CLICK HERE FOR THE 2020 SCHEDULE The 2020 schedule is balanced, with each club playing 100 games comprised of two home series and two road series inside its division, and one home series and one road series against the clubs outside...Read More
By Bob Wirz While everyone would like to be David Peralta, the 2012-13 American Association standout and current Arizona Diamondbacks star who this week added a Gold Glove to his sparkling major league resume, onetime Gary SouthShore RailCats relief ace Adam Quintana (pictured) and fellow pitcher Mike Kickham of the Kansas City T-Bones are keeping...Read More
Photo: Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Over 15 current and former American Association players are spending their off-season playing in the Mexican Pacific League, with representatives on six different clubs. Miami Marlins LHP Mike Kickham (pictured, Kansas City ’16), this week’s Pitcher of the Week, has yet to allow a run in his first 16 innings...Read More
With the Dominican winter league’s season now under way, several current and former American Association players are on the league’s clubs. St. Louis Cardinals farmhand John Nogowski (Sioux City ’17), leads his team with five RBI for Cibaenas, while Aguilas teammate Luke Westphal (pictured, Chicago ’19) has yet to allow an earned run in seven...Read More