Grube, Savage New Names to Watch in Spring Training

Since this is the final column before the calendar turns to 2012, I cannot help but wonder if Independent Baseball can top this season when a record 40 of its former players wore a major league uniform?

While admittedly early in forecasting success stories for the new year much beyond the previous accolades for possible rookie pitcher James Paxton (Grand Prairie, TX, American Association)with Seattleand Chicago White Soxstarter Dylan Axelrod (Windy City, Frontier League),two new names to the major league scene are another pair of right-handers, Jarrett Grubeof Southern Maryland (Atlantic League)and Will Savage, who had a full season at Wichita, KS(American Association) in ’09 followed by at brief stint at Lancaster, PA(Atlantic).

Grube and Savage are among 10 Independent products we have spotted as early non-roster invitees with the Marinersand Los Angeles Dodgers,respectively.  Both put up some nice numbers this past summer.  Grube was a combined 9-6 with Seattle’s top two farm clubs while Savage was 12-6 with Chattanooga , TN in Double-A.

Many among non-roster invitees should be taken seriously Seattle General Manager Jack Zduriencikpointed out to MLB.com.  “Guys can get a non-roster invite and still make the club,” he said.  “We’ll be fair.  That’s been our stance all along: Let the best guys in camp make the club.”  This should be sweet music to Grube as well as to the Mariners’ other non-40-man roster guys, including relievers Scott Patterson(Lancaster and Gateway,Frontier League) and Josh Kinney (River City,Frontier).

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FOR ADDITIONAL INDEPENDENT BASEBALL COVERAGE

www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com ADDED TO www.IndyBaseballChatter.com

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Marlins Dip Into American Association for Trio of Players

The Miami Marlinsare not limiting their signings to those expensive major league free agents.  They have inked three players out of the American Associationin recent days, which is not entirely surprising since the team’s new VP of Player Development, Marty Scott, managed in Lincoln , NE this summer.

Scott had both versatile Curt Smithand right-handed pitcher Garrett Sherrillwith the Saltdogswhile infielder German Duranwas a late-season standout who helped Grand Prairie , TX take the league title.  Smith hit .335 with nine homers and 48 RBI for Lincoln, then led the Netherlands to a surprise championship in the World Cup, where he was awarded Most Valuable Player honors.

Sherrill went 2-1, 3.52 in 30 games, and Duran hit .536, drove in five runs and scored 10 even though a rib injury limited the 27-year-old to playing in six of nine postseason games.  All three players have previous affiliated experience.

Indy Trio Shines in Australia

Winter baseball opportunities seem pretty plentiful for Independent players these days.  The major attention falls to the Caribbeanand Mexico, but Australia also is a player.

We have tracked down three Indy vets who are doing well in Aussieland, starting with Mike McGuire, who played for Sussex (Augusta, NJ)in the Can-Am Leaguein 2010 and now is part of the Philadelphia Philliesfarm system.  McGuire sports a 2-1 record and nifty 1.11 ERA after 32.1 innings down under.

Atlantic Leaguevet infielder-outfielder Brian Burgamy,who had three double-digit home run seasons for Camden, NJand also played for Newark, NJ,is hitting .359 with three homers, 14 RBI and a .462 on-base percentage after 78 at-bats while infielder Dominic Ramos, who was in the Can-Am at Worcesterand Brockton, MA, is at .295 after the same number of at-bats.

( This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes year round on Independent Baseball.  Fans may subscribe for 2012 at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy his blogs, www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com and www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT. )