Wild Things return enough to be optimistic
Tom Vaeth has been around independent baseball long enough – six years as manager of the Wild Things and 17 years before that as a hitting coach in Winnipeg – to know not to make any bold predictions or hasty analysis of his team after seeing it practice for less than two weeks and play a few exhibition games.
Rosters turn over significantly, not only from year to year but month to month, at this level, and some young players figure out professional baseball quickly while others never do make the necessary adjustments to reach their potential. Thus, predictions are nothing more than wild speculation.
“Ask me after 25 games,” is Vaeth’s patented answer when asked what he likes about his teams.
There could, however, be enough talent on his roster to give Vaeth reasons to be optimistic after 25 games and even at the conclusion of 102 regular-season contests as Washington chases that elusive first Frontier League championship.
There are some familiar and productive players returning. First baseman Andrew Czech is back for his sixth season in Washington and will again provide power in the middle of the lineup. Outfielder Anthony Brocato re-signed with the Wild Things after playing last year with Florence. This will be Brocato’s third season in Washington.
Brocato enters the season third in Frontier League history in home runs with 88. Czech is fourth with 87.
What Vaeth does talk about with optimism is his starting pitchers. He plans to use a six-man rotation that will be led by the lefty-righty combination of Kobe Foster and Zach Kirby. Foster is the Wild Things’ all-time wins leader and has a 30-9 career record over four seasons. Kirby, who will start the season opener tonight against Windy City in Crestwood, Ill., won 17 games over the last two seasons. Foster will start Friday at Joliet.
Andrew Herbert and Ethan Brown have been moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Herbert was the closer last year in his rookie season and had a 7-3 record with 12 saves. Brown played for the University of Tampa’s Division II national championship team last spring.
“I think my starting pitching should be pretty good,” Vaeth said. “We’re going to go with a six-man rotation, so there will be some fluctuation with that. … I thought about this during the offseason. Colleges are doing this now where one guy has a set day to throw. All the affiliated levels are running six-game series now. Nobody is playing a three-game series anymore. Those guys in affiliated are doing the same thing, in that there is a Tuesday starter and a Wednesday starter. So I figured most of my guys are used to that so we’ll try it.”
The back end of the bullpen could be a strength. Returners Chad Coles and Hector Garcia were both dominant in the second half of last year, when each struck out more than one batter per inning.
There are 11 players returning from last year’s team, when the Wild Things made a late-season charge to catch Lake Erie and win the Central Division title. They were eliminated in the first round of the conference playoffs by Gateway.
The other returning position players are catcher Three Hillier, outfielder Jeff Liquori and infielders Kyle Edwards and Cole Fowler. Liquori had 27 extra-base hits as a rookie, Fowler was in the New York Mets’ minor league camp for spring training this year and Edwards has played some center field in exhibition games.
Caleb Kethup was signed after playing three seasons in the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system and was ticketed to be the center fielder before he was slowed by a hamstring injury during camp. It is anticipated that he will be ready to play next week.
Washington has added two players with Frontier League experience. Infielder Graham Brown was with Evansville last year and Ryan Ford spent two years with New Jersey. Also signed was catcher Isaias Quiroz, who at age 29 already has 11 years of professional experience.
Washington will play its first seven games on the road. After the season opener at Windy City, the Wild Things will play a weekend series at Joliet before a Tuesday game at Evansville and a Wednesday doubleheader against the Otters.
“I prefer starting on the road,” Vaeth said. “It’s a chance to pull together as a team. Guys are on the same clock. They get into a routine. Given the choice, I’d rather start on the road.”
The home opener is May 15 against Schaumburg and begins a nine-game homestand.
“We have some veteran players, and some of our young guys got a taste of it last year and had experience chasing that playoff spot and division title,” Vaeth pointed out. “From that standpoint, the transition should be pretty smooth.”
What’s new
– The Frontier League has expanded its season from 96 games to 102 to better balance the schedule. The league also expanded its roster limit to 25 active players. The roster minimum remains at 22 players.
– EQT Park has a new and brighter LED lighting system that allows for flashing light shows.
– Vaeth’s coaching staff is new. The pitching coach is Josh Flowerman and Andy Fleischacker will be the first base coach.
– The Frontier League will be using the larger 18-inch bases, often referred to as “pizza box bases.” They are the same size bases as those used in the major leagues.
– The Wild Things’ schedule is heavy on home games in June, when they will play 18 times at EQT Park, which is equal to their number of home games in July and August combined.