May 14, 2015 5 min read

The streak of seasons without a playoff appearance has ended. The roster has more players with Class AA experience than ever before. And longtime coach Bob Bozzuto seemingly has jammed his foot in the team’s revolving door of managers.

Yes, the Wild Things finally have some momentum entering a season, which begins tonight at home against the two-time defending Frontier League champion Schaumburg Boomers.

All that was lacking was a little competition, according to Bozzuto, so he provided some by signing a training-camp roster heavy on experienced players instead of rookies or second-year professionals. The idea was to create more competition for roster spots and push the veteran players to win jobs.

“For years, we went into spring training with a set lineup and rotation, and quite frankly it didn’t work,” Bozzuto said. “I wanted more competition and I think we had that.”

That also made roster decisions more difficult for Bozzuto and his coaching staff of former Greys manager Brent Metheny and pitching coach Ben Moore. And judging by the transactions, the competition in camp was keen. Earlier this week, the Wild Things traded a pitcher who played in Class AA last year and released a pitcher who had 24 saves in Class A over the last two years. Those things would have never happened in the past.

“It was a very productive camp,” Bozzuto said. “The tone was businesslike. Because of the experience level, the guys know how to go about their business on and off the field. Both our pitchers and positions players came here to win.”

The Wild Things won 57 games last year and made the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Washington defeated Evansville on the road in a wild-card game before losing to River City in the semifinals. The Wild Things led the East Division for much of the regular season and survived the resignation of manager Bart Zeller at midseason and having their top two hitters, outfielders Stewart Ijames and C.J. Beatty, signed by major league affiliates, to produce their best record in nine years.

Beatty, who hit 36 home runs over two seasons with Washington, was re-signed this week after being granted his release from a Chicago White Sox Class A affiliate. He is one of eight returnees on the active roster and is part of what should be a strong outfield. Center fielder Danny Poma batted .301 with 30 stolen bases last year and right fielder David Popkins played in 90 games with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Class AA affiliate.

Edinson Rincon, who had a .266 batting average in 216 career Class AA games, also can play the outfield. He is former top-10 prospect of the San Diego Padres.

The infielders are less experienced, though Lee Orr also has Class AA experience and could be the Wild Things’ best-hitting first baseman in several years.

Catcher Maxx Garrett, who served as a capable backup to Jim Vahalik for two seasons, moves into the starting role.

“The front office and coaching staff brought in a lot of quality players for camp,” Garrett said. “Competition is always good.

“The ending last year wasn’t the ending we were looking for. It ended abruptly. That group had a lot of fighters. We had a pretty good season and it put a fire in our belly for this year. We have a few guys who were here last year and we want to finish it off the right way for this town and this organization.”

The pitching staff last year was the Wild Things’ strength, finishing fourth in the league in both ERA and quality starts. The bullpen was particularly good, achieving the coveted combination of most saves in the league and the fewest blown saves.

Returning to the staff are starters Matt Sergey and Tim Flight along with relievers Pat Butler and Matt Purnell.

Sergey provided a memorable moment last August against the Gateway Grizzlies when he became the first pitcher in the league’s 22-year history to throw a perfect game. He will be the Wild Things’ starter tonight.

Flight made six starts last year before suffering a season-ending broken wrist. Butler and Purnell were highly effective in setup relief roles. Butler is back for a third season with Washington.

“I believe our pitching is going to be exemplary,” said Bozzuto, whose association with the Wild Things began in 2006.

Though his team is experienced and the pitching staff should be strong, Bozzuto is aware other Frontier League teams have had similar success in the offseason and returning to the playoffs will be as difficult as ever.

“In my 10 years here, I’ve seen a huge difference in the talent level, expectations and competitiveness in the Frontier League. The lineups are better and the pitching staffs are deeper,” Bozzuto said. “All of that is what makes this the best (independent) league going.”