Wild Things re-sign Vahalik, make trades
The Washington Wild Things have re-signed Jim Vahalik, their starting catcher from last year, and traded three players in two separate deals.
Vahalik (6-2, 192) was acquired by Washington last July in a trade with the London Rippers. The deal was finalized minutes before the London franchise ceased operations. The former University of Toledo catcher batted .239 with three home runs and 33 RBI in his first year in the Frontier League.
After the season, Vahalik had his contract purchased by the Baltimore Orioles. He was released late last month in the final round of cuts during minor-league spring training.
“He had a good spring with the Orioles, but they decided to make him a first baseman,” Wild Things manager Bart Zeller said. “Jim wants to catch and will receive every chance to be our backstop when the season starts. Jim is definitely a gamer and brings great intensity to the game.”
With Vahalik returning, Washington then traded catcher Pat Trettel and pitcher Chandler Barnard to the El Paso Diablos of the American Association in exchange for right-handed pitcher Shawn Blackwell and a player to be named.
Trettel, a North Allegheny High School and Seton Hill University product, was acquired in an offseason trade. He played in the Frontier League for two seasons with Normal. Barnard was 1-4 with two saves and a 2.47 ERA in 25 games with Washington last year.
Blackwell (6-5, 195) was drafted in the 24th round out of high school by the Texas Rangers. He spent three years in the Rangers’ system, pitching in 20 games at the Class A level last season. He had 127 strikeouts and only 43 walks in his career.
“Shawn Blackwell is a strike-thrower,” Zeller said. “He has three years of experience in the Rangers organization and comes highly recommended by their scouting team. Shawn is only 22 with tremendous upside.”
The Wild Things also traded outfielder Matt Fleishman back to the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League in exchange for a player to be named. Fleishman played in 17 games with Long Island last year. He signed with Washington in December.