Ian Thomas of Braves May Be Biggest Surprise Among Former Independent Players in Major League Camps

The biggest surprise among the 51 former Independent Baseball players who started spring training with major league teams may be southpaw reliever Ian Thomas , who spent his first three seasons and part of a fourth after coming out of Virginia Commonwealth University as a non-drafted player in three separate non-affiliated leagues.  He always struck out more than a batter per inning in Winnipeg , when the Goldeyes were in both the Northern League and the American Association (’09-11), and for seven appearances to start the ’12 season in the Atlantic League (York, PA) , where he developed a sharper curve.

Thomas, 26, sits on the bubble with the Atlanta Braves after allowing only seven hits and striking out 13 in 10 appearances over 10 innings this spring including one in which he retired the Detroit trio of Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Torii Hunter.

“He’s left-handed and has a quality arm,” Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez praised to MLB.com.  “I’m waiting for the feds to come in and say this guy has been on the witness relocation program or something and we need to get him back.  I’m just dumbfounded because he has weapons.”

Still on the Bubble

Independent grads Jerome Williams (Lancaster, PA, Atlantic League, and Long Beach, CA, Golden League) and Raul Valdes (New Jersey Jackals and Nashua, NH, Can-Am League) both have made the pitching staff at Houston and the Can-Am’s Chris Colabello (Worcester, MA, and Nashua) has done all he can to prove he belongs with Minnesota (.351-1-8, .478 on-base) as a back-up at first base and an extra bat although his primary competition is out of options.

The picture still is not clear for Colorado hurler Chris Martin (Grand Prairie, TX, American Association) , Texas rookie pitcher Ryan Feierabend (York, PA, Atlantic League) or the New York Yankees trio of pitcher Vidal Nuno (Washington, PA, Frontier League), catcher-first baseman Jose Gil (Lincoln, NE, American Association) or outfielder Antoan Richardson (Schaumburg, IL, Northern League) although all have impressed enough to get to the final weekend of spring training.  Martin, Feierabend and Nuno, the latter beaten out of the fifth starter role for now, seem to have worked themselves into position for the future even if they do not get Opening Day roster spots.

Minicozzi Wins Giants’ ‘Spirit’ Award

Well-traveled Independent Baseball utilityman Mark Minicozzi did not stick with San Francisco although he left the major league camp in Scottsdale, AZ with special recognition.  Teammates and the coaching staff awarded the 31-year-old, who has yet to play at the highest level, with the Harry S. Jordan Award which annually goes to the player in his first major league camp whose performance and dedication in spring training best exemplifies the team’s spirit.

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Mets Give Burgamy Playing Time

Among all of the Independent players who have been pulled over from minor league camps to suit up for major league exhibition games this spring–I can account for at least a dozen and a half who have actually gotten into games–the most intriguing story to this typist may be Brian Burgamy .

At 32, a switch-hitting infielder-outfielder who has never played above Double-A, Burgamy was signed by the New York Mets only recently and they have gotten him into four games.  Burgamy is well traveled, playing for two Atlantic League teams (Sugar Land, TX and York, PA) plus St. Paul, MN of the American Association just last season and for Atlantic League teams in Camden and Newark, NJ previously, as well as in Australia and Mexico.  The Wichita State product has delivered at the plate for the Mets, as he always does, going 2-for-7 with three walks, a stolen base and a run also on his stats sheet.

    (This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes annually on Independent Baseball.  Thirty-six columns are planned during 2014.  Fans may subscribe at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog 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.)