Roster moves
The Wild Things made several roster moves ahead of their series against Traverse City. On Monday, they released outfielder Andrew Heck. Tuesday, pitcher Michael Hepple was released and replaced on the roster by rookie pitcher Jordan Elliott, a right-hander out of Delaware State University.
Heck was Washington's leading hitter last year with a .310 batting average, 14 doubles and 20 stolen bases. This year, however, Heck was off to a slow start, batting only .182 (6-for-33) with no extra-base hits. He did not have at-bats in consecutive games since the record-setting doubleheader at Windy City June 2.
Hepple had been pitching well, though he was rarely used. The Wild Things' first pick in this year's Frontier League tryout and draft, Hepple had pitched in six games. In 11 innings, he gave up eight hits, three runs, five walks and 10 strikeouts. He had no record and a 2.45 ERA.
The 6-foot-3 Elliott had a 9-2 record and 2.77 ERA in 13 starts this spring for Delaware State. He struck out 73 in 91 innings and opponents batted only .219 against him.Read full post: Roster moves
Sluggin' Sam
Some of you who check this blog might recognize the name Sam DiMatteo. He is an outfielder who was a standout player at California University, last playing for the Vulcans in 2010.
DiMatteo, who is from Monaca, still holds Cal's career records for hits and doubles, and is second all-time in home runs and RBI.
For several years, DiMatteo has been trying to make a career out playing professional baseball. He had a brief spring training stay with the Washington Nationals, played in the independent Pecos League and was in spring training with the Traverse City Beach Bums a year or two ago.
DiMatteo is still giving it the ole college try and is playing again in the Pecos League with the Trinidad (Colo.) Triggers. He is tied for the league lead in home runs (10), is fourth in RBI (42) and is second in batting average (.425) through 29 games.
Trinidad is 19-12 and in first place in the North Division.Read full post: Sluggin' Sam
