Apr 2, 2018 2 min read

The Washington Wild Things announced the retirement of 2017 Frontier League All-Star first baseman Kane Sweeney.

The driving force behind the Wild Things’ postseason appearance, Sweeney batted .296 with a .457 on-base percentage. He also set the franchise single-season record with 87 walks. He hit 15 home runs and drove in 61 runs in 94 games.

Sweeney, who re-signed with Washington in early December, was expected to have delayed start because of new assistant-coaching responsibilities at his alma mater Morehead State.

He was drafted in the 29th round of the 2015 Amateur Draft by the New York Yankees, playing two seasons in their system before joining the Wild Things in 2017.

“Unfortunately, my playing days are up,” Sweeney said. “But I’m blessed to have a great opportunity to stay in baseball and coach at my alma mater. I wish Washington nothing but the best in the future and will continue to follow them and be in touch.”

In a corresponding move, the Wild Things signed first baseman James Vasquez.

Vasquez was also drafted in the 2015 Amateur Draft out of the University of Central Florida, a 25th-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds. He played three seasons in Reds’ system prior to his release. Vasquez hit .258 with 24 doubles, 10 home runs and drove in 59 runs in 42 games in 2017, making it as far as Advanced-A ball with the Daytona Tortugas.