Nick Hundley to Join Padres’s Roster
Posted on July 4th, 2008 @ 9:44 am by Chad Gramling
Micheal Barrett has had a rough season. He suffered multiple facial fractures, including a broken nose that will require surgery, when he was struck by a ball off his bat Wednesday in Denver. The full extent of his injuries will take more time to evaluate, but he will undoubtedly miss time; which provides another opportunity for another former Wizards catcher. This time, Nick Hundley is the benefactor.
Triple-A Portland catcher, Nick Hundley, will join the Padres before tonight’s game in Phoenix.With both Josh Bard and Michael Barrett on the DL, Hundley will serve as the immediate backup backstop to another former Wizards catcher, Luke Carlin, who also made his debut earlier this season.
For those looking for information and fan takes on Hundley, here’s some info:
How good is Nick Hundley as a prospect? I’m glad you asked! I like Nick quite a bit. When he was coming out of the University of Arizona, he was generally regarded as the second best defensive catcher available. And the Padres selected him in the second round. He has considerable power (20 HR last year in the Texas League and 11 so far in the Pacific Coast League), the question, is whether he will make enough contact to be a starter or if he’ll be relegated to a role as a solid back up. [source: Peter Friberg on June 26th at Padres RunDown]
Hundley spent parts of two different seasons with the Wizards in Fort Wayne. He saw ten games in 2005, and 57 in 2006 before being promoted to Lake Elsinore. In 2006, he hit 2.74 with 8 home runs and 44 RBI’s en route to being named to the Midwest League All-Star team. He was also MWL Player of the Week for the week of June 13, 2005.
He is not threat to steal a base and he does strike out a bit (about 21% of the time), but is power numbers are starting to come around. Last year, he swatted 20 dingers with Double-A San Antonio and has 12 on the season with Triple-A Portland.
If he debuts at the MLB level, Hundley will become the 67th former Wizards player to do so, and the fifth one this season (Luke Carlin, Jared Wells, Eddie Bonine and Leo Rosales are the others). If and when it happens, I’ll provide an update to this post.
Best of luck Nick!
Other blog posts featuring information about Nick Hundley.
Note: Hundley is featured on pages 70 and 71 of Baseball in Fort Wayne. Photo by Chad Gramling, taken at Memorial Stadium in 2006.
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Fort Fragments (Wizards): Pierzynski, Cuddyer, Condry, Headley and Matt Bush News!?!?
Posted on July 3rd, 2008 @ 10:46 pm by Chad Gramling
- White Sox walk off behind Pierzynski: Former Wizards catcher, A.J. Pierzynski hit his second home run of the night in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the White Sox to their second straight extra-inning win over the Indians, 6-5, at U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday night. Figures . . . I just traded him in my fantasy league.
- Cuddyer’s MRI shows sprained knuckle: The last player in the Twins system from the Wizards’ days as a Minnesota affiliate, Michael Cuddyer has had a pretty banged up season. I think this is his third DL stint. BTW: he’s on my fantasy team.
- Condrey has big off-day plans: The former Wizards and current Phillie pitcher, Clay Condrey and his wife welcomed their first son on Monday, Cashton “Cash” Lee. Interestingly, Fort Wayne native and current Indian’s skipper, Eric Wedge, and his wife named their son Dalton Cash after his arrival shortly before the season.
- Headley continues to improve in left field: I still think he’ll ultimately end up at third in the long run, but Chase Headley’s star continues to rise as he adapts in the outfield. For what’s it’s worth, there were some Oakland A’s scouts at the Castle on Sunday. Maybe its just a coincidence that Chavez went on the DL a couple days later. They’re just five games out of first and three-and-a-half out of the wild card.
- Padres land bevy of international talent: A possible look at some future Wizards (or whatever the team is next year and beyond). They forked over 5 million dollars to secure four highly-touted players from Latin America and an Australian outfielder on the first day of the international signing period; Adis Portillo (Venezuela), shortstop Alvaro Aristy (Dominican Republic), outfielder Luis Domoromo (Venezuela), right-handed pitcher Elvin Tavarez (Dominican Republic) and outfielder, Corey Adamson (Australia). They’re all around 16 years old, so it will be a while before we see any of them in the Fort if we ever do.
- Encouraging News on Matt Bush: “He isn’t on a mound yet but he’s long tossing from 130 feet and one third of the way through his throwing program. He could be back getting in serious work by Instructional League.” Matt Antonelli may be finally coming out of his funk and Eric Sogard is drawing some attention. Add him to your watch lists.
- Peavy nominated for an ESPY: Not much I can add to that. The guy is a stud and deserves to be recognized.
- McDaid promoted to Lake Elsinore: I haven’t cataloged any of my 2008 photos yet. Hope I got some good shots before Derek McDaid, an MWL All-Star, was promoted.
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Half Way There: A Mid-Season Look at Estranged Friars
Posted on July 2nd, 2008 @ 8:52 pm by Chad Gramling
We’ve reached the half way point of the 2008 MLB season. I think that’s just cause to take a look at some of the seasons that former Fort Wayne Wizards are producing thus far. First up, the Estranged Friars. These former Wizards are no longer playing in the Padres organization but are still active in Minor League Baseball.
- 2002
- Cassel, Jack (Astros AAA): The former Wizards pitcher has spent 2008 up and down between Triple A and the MLB level. He’s been at Triple-A Round Rock since June 1, and currently is on the disabled list. Interesting trivia: Cassel’s brother, Matt, is a backup quarterback for the New England Patriots and his brother, Justin, is a pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization.
- Knott, Jon (Phillies AAA): The former Wizards outfielder is currently with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs as they enjoy their inaugural season. He’s put together a .295 batting average with 8 home runs, 35 runs batted and scoring 29 runs over 190 at-bats.
- Trzesniak, Nick (Tigers AAA): The former first round pick of the Padres (51st overall)in 1999 made it as high as AAA-Portland with the Friars before they released him in 2005. Since that time, the catcher has sojourned to Texas, to Florida, to Detroit, back to Texas, and currently is back in Detroit organization with Toledo. He’s got a .224 average with 3 dingers and 16 RBI’s over 32 games. He is currently on the disabled list.
- 2003
- Cruz, Luis (Pirates AA): Playing for the Altoona Curve, Luis Cruz is hitting .263 with 3 home runs and 34 runs batted in over 274 at-bats. He’s struck out just 23 times despite only drawing 14 walks.
- David Freese (Cardinals AAA): Thanks to David Freese, the Cubs were able to sign Jim Edmonds after the Padres released him. An odd way to pull a three team trade, but the Cubs are happy with how it worked out. Freese has spent the 2008 season at Triple-A Memphis where he is hitting .265 over 75 games with 12 home runs, 42 runs batted in and 22 walks. Maybe the Cubs would have taken him too; he’s hitting .426 in day games.
- Guzman, Freddy (Tigers AAA): Guzman is another former Padres prospect who is getting renewed life in the Tigers organization. Guzman (who has appeared at the MLB level) is hitting .275 with 3 home runs and 22 RBIs over 77 games. He’s scored 69 runs and stolen 20 bases on the season that has seen him split time between Toledo (his current club) and Erie.
- Hamilton, Clayton (Rangers AA): Following a promotion to AA Frisco, Hamilton has had a rough go of things. He’s appeared in 3 games, taken two losses and has a 27.00 ERA. He’s given up 9 runs, 6 of them earned in just two innings pitched. This follows on the heals of a 1-1 performance and 3.13 ERA at High-A. So maybe he’ll settle in.
- Huber, Jon (Mariners AAA): He’ appeared in 29 games and has a bloated 6.03 ERA over 37.1 innings pitched. He’s struck out 27 and walked 13 for the Tacoma Rainiers.
- Jones, Kennard (Orioles AA): The outfielder has a .257 batting average with 1 home run, 16 RBI’s and 6 stolen bases on the season.
- Pauley, David (Red Sox AAA): He had a taste of MLB action in 2006 and finally got back for a bit this year. On the season at Pawtucket, Pauley is 10-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 16 starts. He’s struck out 59 and walked 26 while allowing 35 earned runs. He is on Boston’s 40-man roster and likely will see more MLB action before the season is up.
- Thayer, Dale (Rays AAA): Playing in his second season with the storied Durham Bulls, the relief pitcher is putting together a solid season and is on the Triple-A All Star Roster (I’ll be there and I’ll get pictures). He’s got a 1.48 ERA with 1 win and 9 saves over 33 games. In 42.2 innings pitched, he has 53 K’s to just 14 walks. If the Rays continue to have bumps and bruises in their pitching staff, we might see him make his debut before the year is out. The Rays acquired him as the PTBNL in the deal that sent Russell Branyon to the Padres in 2006.
- 2004
- Bonine, Eddie (Tigers MLB): Made his Major League debut on June 14 and looked pretty solid until today. For more info on Bonine, see my earlier post.
- Bonvechio, Bret (White Sox A): After toiling in the indy circuit, he’s back with a MLB organization and playing at Class-A Charlotte for the Chicago White Sox. For more on Bonvechio, see my earlier post.
- Chick, Travis (Mariners AA): Pitching for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Chick has compiled a 4.72 ERA with a 2-4 record over 21 games; five of them starts. He’s struck out 47 and walked 28 over 61 innings pitched. Chick was drafted by the Marlins in 2002 and traded to the Padres in 2004, who traded him and Justin Germano to the Reds for Joe Randa in 2005. The Reds then traded Chick to the Mariners in 2006 in the deal that Eddie Guardado to Cincinnati. (Germano, also a former Wizard was later picked up off waivers from the Phillies, who traded Rheal Cormier to the Reds for him.)
- Ciriaco, Juan (Giants A+): The shortstop is hitting just .176 with 15 hits, six RBI’s and five runs over 36 games for Class-A San Jose.
- Kottaras, George (Red Sox AAA): The former Wizards catcher is hitting .233 with 16 home runs and 45 RBI’s over 253 at-bats for Pawtucket, his second season at Triple-A. He came into the Red Sox organization in 2006 as the PTBNL that sent David Wells to San Diego.
- Rosales, Leo (Diamondbacks MLB): Leo Rosales made his MLB debut earlier this season. For more on Rosales, see my earlier post.
- Wells, Jared (Mariners AAA): Wells was the first former Wizards player to debut in 2008. However, he was sent down to Triple-A Portland a short while later before being traded to the Mariners for Cha Seung Baek. He has since remained at Triple-A.
- 2006
- Burke, Kyler (Cubs A). Haven’t heard much from this once promising prospect. After being traded to the Cubs in the Rob Bowen deal that also sent Michael Barrett to the Padres, Burke has pretty much dropped off the radar. He is currently playing in Class-A Short-Season Northwest League for the Boise Hawks. He has a less than stellar .139 average in 36 at-bats.
- Link, John (White Sox AA): With the Birmingham Barons, Link is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 31 strike-outs over 32 innings pitched; all of them in relief, where he has picked up 22 saves on the season. The White Sox acquired Link from the Padres last year for Rob Mackowiak.
- Ramirez, Yordany (Astros AAA): Ramirez was an interesting signing by the Astros in the off-season that enabled Houston to make a trade with the Atlanta Braves to acquire Oscar Villarreal for center fielder Josh Anderson. On the season, he’s hitting .229 in 73 games with the Round Rock Express. He has 4 home runs, 25 RBI’s and 15 stolen bases.
- Burke, Kyler (Cubs A). Haven’t heard much from this once promising prospect. After being traded to the Cubs in the Rob Bowen deal that also sent Michael Barrett to the Padres, Burke has pretty much dropped off the radar. He is currently playing in Class-A Short-Season Northwest League for the Boise Hawks. He has a less than stellar .139 average in 36 at-bats.
- 2007
- Pickett, Justin (Rangers A): Wizards fans didn’t see much of the catcher since he appeared in just two games. He was released by the Padres in spring training this year and signed by the Rangers, where he’s split time between Clinton of the Midwest League and Spokane of the Class A Short-Season Northwest League. Though he has appeared in just 18 games, he’s hitting .359 with 3 home runs and 19 RBI’s in 64 total at-bats. His 6 walks has help to inch his OBP up to .429. More on Pickett here.
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Ballpark at Harrison Square Topped Off
Posted on July 1st, 2008 @ 8:54 pm by Chad Gramling
The last major piece of steel was put into place today at a topping off ceremony. Members of the City Council, the Redevelopment Commission, Barry Real Estate, the Fort Wayne Wizards and the Northeast Indiana community were on hand for the occasion that saw many signatures and messages inscribed on the beam before being raised to is final location on the left side of the stadium’s entrance.
“Today is an achievement in the revitalization of the heart of our city,” said Mayor Henry. “The topping off marks an important point in the construction of the Harrison Square ballpark, just like Harrison Square marks an important point in making downtown Fort Wayne a great place to live, work and play.”
Video: Mayor Tom Henry Speaks (1:00)
Video: Barry Real Estate CEO, Chris Schoen explains the topping off (0:47)
Video: The Ballpark Gets Topped Off (3:31)
[note: sorry for the background vocals on the last video. They were right behind me.]
Gallery: Photos from the event
More Coverage:
- Harrison Square reaches construction milestone (Wane-TV)
- Making Progress (Indiana’s News Center)
- To O’ the Ballpark to Ya (WhatsGoingDownTown)
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Gallery: Harrison Square Topping Off Ceremony
Posted on July 1st, 2008 @ 8:40 pm by Chad Gramling
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I Signed the Harrison Square Beam
Posted on July 1st, 2008 @ 11:39 am by Chad Gramling
Here’s a pic I took of my message and name on the Harrison Square beam. It was lifted and secured in place by two workers in Wizards jerseys during a toping off ceremony held today. Definately more pics, video and info to be posted shortly.
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Former Daisies’ Ruby Heafner to Be Inducted into Gaston County Sports HOF
Posted on June 28th, 2008 @ 8:00 pm by Chad Gramling
Former Fort Wayne Daisies player, Ruby Heafner will be inducted into the Gaston County (Ohio) Sports Hall of Fame during a September 8 ceremony at Cramer Mountain Country Club.
Heafner played in the short-lived All-American Girls Professional Baseball League immortalized in the 1992 Hollywood movie “A League Of Their Own” that starred Geena Davis, Tom Hanks and Madonna. A catcher who was often compared to Detroit Tigers’ Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, Heafner was nicknamed “Rebel” and played for Rockford, Fort Wayne, Racine and Battle Creek over a six-year career lasting from 1946 through 1951 - or shortly after Heafner served two years in the U.S. military.
After the women’s pro baseball league folded, Heafner returned to her native city where she worked for the city recreation department, helped coached girls softball and served as a volunteer at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
Source: Gaston Gazette
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Fort Fragments (Wizards): Bonine, Hawkins, Valentin, Headley,
Posted on June 28th, 2008 @ 3:54 pm by Chad Gramling
- Eddie Bonine Works Quick, Might Stick Around: Last night, former Wizard and current Detroit Tigers pitcher posted the best outing of his short career and made quick work of the Colorado Rockies. “Colorado put the ball in play on Bonine 27 times. Eleven of the 27 came on the first or second pitch of the at-bat. Eighteen of the 27 were ground balls, and 17 of those were outs”. Tigers’ left fielder called it “classic Eddie Bonine right there.”
- LaTroy Hawkins Disappointed with Mop-Up Duty: Latroy Hawkins thought he would be the late inning reliever to set-up Mariano Rivera when he signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Yankees last winter. Instead, he’s trudging out of the bullpen to pitch in mop-up game situations. “Is it eating me up? Yeah . . . You like competing and you like to be at your best all of the time. You want to succeed. When you go out there and you don’t have the success that you’re looking for, it eats you up. This is the big leagues, and you’ve got to keep fighting.”
- Javiar Valentin Makes First Career Appearance at Third Base: Typically a back-up catcher, former Wizard, Javier Valentin made his first career appearance at third base late in Sunday’s game at New York and made a similar cameo there on Tuesday vs. the Blue Jays. Reds manager Dusty Baker informed Valentin on Tuesday he would be starting on Thursday. Valentin thought Baker was joking. He wasn’t.
- Chase Headley Doesn’t Walk This Way: The rookie Padre’s slugger is still looking for his first walk of the season, having not drawn one in 24 at-bats. In 2005, between his junior year at the University of Tennessee, short-season Eugene and Class A Fort Wayne, Headley walked 98 times in 128 games.
Interesting. Four former Wizards headlines. Four different Big League clubs.
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Canadian Ambassador Rob Bowen Will See More Playing Time
Posted on June 28th, 2008 @ 8:54 am by Chad Gramling
Fort Wayne native and current Oakland A’s catcher Rob Bowen, posted a double to deep center field and guided Canadian-born Rich Harden through a dominant start in his 10th start of the season. With fewer days off in the second half, Bowen looks to get more playing time according to Oakland manager Bob Geren.
Bowen joked about his role in Harden’s success Thursday, saying, “I get along real well with Canadians.”
Bowen went on to explain that after being drafted by the Twins in 1999, he lived with Minnesota’s Canada-born 2006 American League MVP, Justin Morneau, for several years in the Minors.
“It was awesome . . . [a]ll our furniture — couches, beds — was inflatable so we’d have more room to play floor hockey. If we weren’t at the yard, we were playing hockey in our apartment” [source: MLB.com]
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Padres Taking Page from Wizards Book?
Posted on June 28th, 2008 @ 8:46 am by Chad Gramling
The San Diego Padres, parent club of the Fort Wayne Wizards will start something “new” in July in an effort to bring fans to their brilliant and beautiful ballpark.
When the “July Dollar Days” get started, fans can purchase $1 hot dogs, $1 soft drinks and get $1 off all beer during July home games.
“We are excited about this program, which is based in part on input from our fans,” said Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. “We hope July Dollar Days will provide some relief to all our fans from higher gas prices and the current overall economy” [source: MLB.com]
While a month of “Dollar Days” seems like a grand gesture, the Padres have just nine home games during the month of July. And, if you’re looking for something a little closer to home, the Wizards have a Dollar Day on Monday June, 30th, two Dollar Days during July and two in August. $1 Hot Dogs, $1 Soft Drinks, $1 Beer (that’s $1 . . . not $1 off, like the Friars). Don’t forget about Thirsty Thursday’s either.
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