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Independent Ball

2018 Frontier League Draft Class – Mid Season Update

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All-Star break has arrived! That means that it’s time for the mid-season update about the 2018 Frontier League Draft Class.

Out of 34 players drafted, 16 players were on an active roster on Opening Day and an additional player started the season on the DL.

Now, 1 player has been signed to affiliated ball, 9 players are still on an active roster, 2 are on the DL, 1 player is on the suspended list and 4 were released. Here’s a look at how the players are doing.

Still Active:
RHP John Michael Knighton (BeachBums) 3-3 record with a 3.53 ERA in 20 games and 28 IP. Has 18 saves and 29 strikeouts. Member of the Experienced All-Star team.
INF Jeff Cardenas (Grizzlies) .198 average with 18 hits and 9 RBI in 91 AB.
C Cody Clark (Slammers) .139 average with 11 hits, 2 HR and 6 RBI in 79 AB.
C Ronnie Healy (Thunderbolts) .219 average with 14 hits, 1 HR and 9 RBI in 64 AB.
RHP Corey Kimber (Slammers) 3-2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 17 games and 31 IP. Has 34 strikeouts.
3B Zach Lavy (Rascals) .206 average with 29 hits, 6 HR and 16 RBI in 141 AB. Has 3 doubles, 3 triples and 3 stolen bases.
C Trey Fulton (Slammers) .320 average with 33 hits and 7 RBI in 103 AB. Member of the Rookie All-Star team.
RHP Jacob Gangelhoff (Rascals) – released by the Rascals on June 13th but then re-signed with them on July 1st.  Has a 0-0 record and 6.00 ERA in 8 games and 15 IP.
RHP Max Biedrzycki (Crushers) 5-1 record with a 3.80 ERA in 20 games and 26 IP. Has 23 strikeouts.

Signed to affiliated ball:
RHP Jameson McGrane (Freedom) – signed with the Miami Marlins organization after pitching out of the Freedom bullpen. Had a 0.00 ERA and 2 saves in 9 games and 9.1 IP with 19 strikeouts and only 2 hits and 4 walks before signing. Pitched 1 inning picking up the save with the Marlins rookie ball team. Moved up to the Batavia MuckDogs (Short Season) and currently has a 2.08 ERA and 1 save in 4 games and 4.1 IP.

DL:
RHP Steven Heilenbach (Thunderbolts) Placed on the 14 day DL on June 6th after pitching in 6 games and 9.1 IP with a 0-1 and 0.96 ERA.
RHP Griffin Kreig (WildThings) Placed on the 14 day DL on May 19th. He appeared in 2 games for 4.1 IP with a 8.30 ERA.

Suspended List:
RHP Ryan McSweeney (Grizzlies) Placed on the suspended list on June 14th. He appeared in 13 games and 17.1 IP with a 1-1 record and 6.23 ERA.

Released since Opening Day:
LHP Michael O’Neal (Slammers) – Started the season on the DL. Released on May 30th without appearing in a game.
LHP William Corsen Carr (BeachBums) Released on June 9th after having a 1-1 record and 9.97 ERA in 11 games and 15.1 IP.
OF Brandon Pugh (Released by Rascals, signed by Freedom) Opened the season with Florence but was traded back to the Rascals on June 13th. Had a .256 average in 82 AB with the Freedom. Then he was released by the Rascals on June 16th after 0 hits in only only 2 games and 4 AB.
RHP Juan Perez (Crushers) Released on June 23rd. Had a 1-1 record with a 7.20 ERA in 6 games (all starts) and 25 IP.

Independent Ball

Mexican League Showcase

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The Mexican League has recently changed their roster rules towards foreign players. Teams are allowed an unlimited number of Mexican-American players because they now count as local nationality. In addition, they have now doubled the amount of non-Mexican players (foreigners) allowed on a roster.

Due to these changes, Mexican Leagues are looking for more talent in the United States.

The Snyder Elite Baseball Academy will be holding two Mexican League showcases this year.  The showcases will be attended by Mexican League scouts and team personnel that will be ready to sign players for the upcoming season this winter.

There will be a one day tryout in Riverside, CA at La Sierra University on August 26th at 10 AM, and one in Phoenix, AZ on September 1st at 10 AM.  Players are able to pick one or both days to showcase their talent. There will also be an additional day on September 2nd in Yuma, AZ that will be used if scouts and coaches want to call back players and see more from certain players before deciding to offer them a contract.

Early online registration is open now and is $60 until August 24th.  After the 24th, registration goes up to $90 that must be paid at the location before your tryout.

Players must be 18 and older.  Remember, this is a professional tryout. Players must be physically and mentally prepared to workout and compete for a contract in front of Mexican League scouts.

For more information or to register, click on the links below:

Q & A:

Riverside, California Showcase Information/Registration (Aug 26)

Phoenix, Arizona Showcase Information/Registration (Sept 1)

In addition to the showcases, there will also be an exhibition game for players picked from those showcases (plus an additional fee of $250) to play against Los Mochis Caneros from the Triple AAA Liga Mexicana del Pacifico in October.

Mexican league and affiliated scouts will be on hand at the exhibition game as well.

For more information on the exhibition game, click HERE.

Huge thank you to Gary Snyder from Snyder Elite Baseball for sending me this awesome Cañeros de Los Mochis jersey of the Mexican Pacific League to help promote Mexican League baseball here in the United States!