Wild Things making final roster moves ahead of spring training
With only one week until the start of Frontier League spring training, the Wild Things have been busy finalizing their roster. Meanwhile, workers have made significant progress getting EQT Park ready for the season.
The Wild Things recently announced the signing of two utility players, Brennon McNair and D.J. Banks, who bring with them different backgrounds and experience levels.
McNair (5-11, 185), a 23-year-old Mississippi native, spent the last five years in the Kansas City Royals’ farm system. He was drafted by the Royals in the 11th round in 2021 out of high school in Magee, Miss., where he led his team to the state finals. McNair was the only high school player in Mississippi drafted in 2001.
McNair played in 310 games in the Royals’ system, including 258 games for Class A Columbia (S.C.). In Class A games, McNair hit 19 home runs, 10 triples, 37 doubles and stole 40 bases. His most-played positions were left field and third base.
Banks, also 23, went through the college ranks and the Wild Things contract is his first in professional baseball. Banks (6-3, 205), who has good size for a utility player, spent the last two years at Division II Valdosta State. In 98 games for the Blazers, Banks hit .316 with 23 doubles, four triples and three home runs and 18 stolen bases. He most often played second base and third base.
New seats
New seats in the lower bowl at EQT Park are currently being installed. The seats replace the old ones that were salvaged from Three Rivers Stadium prior to its implosion in 2001 and installed at then-Falconi Field for its opening in 2002.
The Wild Things will play their home opener May 15 against the Schaumburg Boomers.
Tryout
The Frontier League will hold its annual two-day open tryout that concludes with a player draft Monday and Tuesday at Forefront Field in Avon, Ohio, home of the Lake Erie Crushers.
Each team is required to draft a minimum of two players from the tryout.
Players can register for the tryout by visiting the Frontier League’s website.
“With the tryout camp and draft leading directly to our spring trainings, managers use this event to fill out their rosters and provide competition,” Frontier League commissioner Steve Tahsler said in a release. “The number of players who make impacts on playoff teams each season demonstrates how highly teams value this event each year.”