Wild
Things bring back McDonnell
BY CHRIS DUGAN,
Staff writer
The Wild Things re-signed a key member
of their starting rotation Thursday, but also lost two pitchers
who would have provided much-needed versatility and experience
in the bullpen.
Washington re-signed right-handed starting pitcher Matt McDonnell,
who posted a 10-4 record and 2.99 ERA last year, his first in
the Frontier League. McDonnell was second in the league in wins
and ninth in ERA.
Also re-signing were right-handed relief pitcher Jason Elkins
and outfielder Mike Cunningham. Matt Bok, a catcher/outfielder
who was recently released from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization,
also signed a contract.
"Matt McDonnell did a great job for us and we're looking
for big things from him this year," said Wild Things general
manager Ross Vecchio.
McDonnell is a sinker-slider pitcher who doesn't overpower hitters,
preferring instead to frustrate them by inducing numerous groundballs.
He allowed only two home runs in 9 innings.
McDonnell and Grant Dorn, who was acquired in a trade with Mid-Missouri
last month, give the Wild Things' rotation two experienced right-handers
in the rotation.
Elkins will be playing his third season in Washington and has
pitched in more games (50) than anyone in team history. Last
year, the side-arming Elkins appeared in 27 games, going 2-3
with one save and a 4.03 ERA.
"Elkins has been a solid arm in the bullpen for two years
and we're glad to have him back," Vecchio said.
Two pitchers who aren't returning to the Wild Things are right-hander
Bake Leonards and lefty Brad Edwards.
Both have opted to retire. Leonards has a hand injury and Edwards
is returning to school.
Leonards was signed out of the team's tryout camp last year.
He pitched in 33 games, starting one. He was 3-2 with a team-best
1.70 ERA.
"Bake said that because of his injury, and his job, that
he hasn't been able to throw during the offseason," Vecchio
said. "He's going to sit out this year but might opt to
play next season."
Edwards (1-0, 2.42) was signed midway through last season and
appeared in only nine games. He made one start in the final
week of the season, pitching eight shutout innings at Kalamazoo.
The versatility of Leonards and Edwards would have come in handy,
especially with the league's schedule being expanded to 96 games
with only six off days. Relievers who are capable of starting
in an emergency will be at a premium.
Cunningham was signed during last year's all-star break and
batted .287 with 11 stolen bases in 33 games. He was used primarily
as a leadoff hitter and left fielder.
Bok was signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Dodgers in
2002 after playing collegiately at Notre Dame. The Akron, Ohio,
native helped the Fighting Irish to the College World Series
as a senior. Bok played catcher, second base and the outfield
at Notre Dame. In the Dodgers' system, he was an outfielder.
"With the limited roster size in the Frontier League, you
need to have guys who are versatile. That's one thing that stands
out about Matt," said Vecchio. "He is someone we envision
getting time at catcher, in the outfield and at first base."
|
|
Wild Things
bring back McDonnell
Mesa wins Pirates' closer job
Bucs still have a few tough calls
|
