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05/02/2008 12:57 PM ET
Rattlers Alumni Report 5/2
By Jay Grusznski / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
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 Wladimir Balentien ('04) provided an immediate spark to the Mariners lineup.
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This edition of The Report is a little quieter
than the last, but still has some interesting player movement. I've also
added a new Mailbag feature. I often get questions sent to me about the
whereabouts of certain players and I normally email the person back with the
answer. But I'm sure there are other people out there who might be
interested about that player too. So I'll start answering those questions
in each Report. Also, I have a correction to report from the last
edition. The radio voice of the Timber Rattlers, Chris Mehring, informed
me that Eddie Menchaca is the hitting coach for High Desert now, not Peoria as I
reported. He moved up to replace Tommy Cruz, who is with the Mariners as a
batting practice pitcher.
Transactions
Philadelphia placed OF Chris Snelling ('00) on 15-day DL, retroactive to April
17, recalled OF T.J. Bohn ('03) from Lehigh Valley (IL), optioned OF T.J. Bohn to Lehigh Valley (IL)
I wish I could say that three at bats is a new
record for the fastest Snelling has gotten hurt with a new team, but it probably
isn't. But the silver lining was that it open up a spot (albeit briefly)
for a fellow T-Rat alum in Bohn. T.J. played in seven games during his
time with Philly and collected one hit in three at bats. Shane Victorino's
injury opened up a spot for Snelling, and Victorino coming off the DL got Bohn
sent back down.
Seattle activated RHP J.J. Putz ('00) from the 15-day DL,
recalled C Jeff Clement ('05) and OF Wladimir Balentien ('04) from Tacoma (PCL)
The Mariners roster got a much needed injection
of former Timber Rattlers. Balentien hit a three run homer in his first
game after the callup after having a three homer game with Tacoma right before
it. Clement hit an amazing .397 in the month of April for the Rainiers.
Can-Am League
Atlantic City Surf released OF Wil Quintana ('01)
Quintana hit .267 in 43 games for the Surf in
2007. He has been an All Star in two different independent leagues, so I
would assume he'll get a shot with someone. Fun fact: Quintana is
the only player with a last name starting with "q" to ever play for
the Timber Rattlers.
Can-Am League
New Jersey Jackals traded C JB Tucker ('06) to the Grand Prairie (AA) for cash and a player to be named
A lot of initials in The Report this week: TJ, JJ,
and now JB. Tucker spent last year in the CanAm League after his release
from the Mariners, hitting .270 for the Grays. Now he is an AirHog.
Can-Am League
Ottawa Rapidz signed RHP Cibney Bello ('05)
Bello, now 25, will try to establish himself with
the expansion Rapidz after going 6-10 the past two seasons in the California
League.
Mailbag
Whatever happened to Kevin Gryboski?
What has become of pitcher Bobby Livingston? Last I knew of him, he was
with the Reds. Is TA Fullmer playing anywhere?
Patty, Appleton
I'll start with the easy one. Bobby
Livingston ('03) got injured near the end of last season and had to have
shoulder surgery. He is currently on the Reds disabled list as he
recovers. Kevin Gryboski ('98) is pitching for the Fresno Grizzlies, a San
Francisco Giants affiliate. He last pitched in the Majors with the
Nationals in 2006. T.A. Fulmer ('03) is retired, best I can tell. He
last pitched for Visalia in the California League in 2005.
Hot 'N
Cold - A look at the former
Rattlers that are thriving and struggling.
Tacoma Rainiers (13-12)
Hot - Ryan
Feierabend ('04) 3-1, 1.74 ERA, 25 K, 31 IP
Cold - Joe Woerman
('06 ) 1-2, 18.24 ERA, 19 BB, 12.1 IP
West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (17-10)
Hot - Luis Valbuena
('06) .311, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI
Cold - Jeffrey
Dominguez ('06) .152, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 46 AB
High Desert Mavericks (13-14)
Hot - Travis Scott
('06) .352, 4 HR, 15 RBI
Cold - Joe
Kantakevich ('07) 2-1, 21.21 ERA, 11 BB, 9.1 IP
Previous
Alumni Reports:
Rattler
Alumni Report 4/18
Is
there somebody I missed? Somebody
you would like to know if they are playing anywhere?
Email me at jgrusznski@timberrattlers.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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