Call-Ups Start With Edwards, Herrera, Axelrod; Some Thoughts on Who May Follow to Majors

Jon Edwardsstarted the parade of Independent players getting a late-summer major league reward when the Texas Rangersadded him to their pitching staff–and giving the young-but-determined Pecos Leagueits first major leaguer–then the postseason-bound Los Angeles Angelsadded right-hander Yoslan Herrera (Lancaster, PA, Atlantic League)to their staff and Cincinnatidid the same with starter Dylan Axelrod (Windy City, Frontier League), but more seem destined to wear major league uniforms when affiliated minor league seasons end and rosters can expand from 25 up to 40 players September 1 (Monday) and beyond.

It is tricky trying to read the minds of major league personnel bosses even if a player has posted impressive minor league statistics, but it is difficult to imagine Minnesotanot bringing back first baseman-outfielder Chris Colabello (Worcester, MAand Nashua, NH, Can-Am League)and lefty Kris Johnson (Kansas City, KS, American Association), especially since both are on the 40-man roster so a vacancy will not need to be created.

Torontoseems likely to bring back reliever Steve Delabar (Brockton, MA,Can-Am League, and Florence, KY,Frontier), an All-Star Gameselection one year ago, to see how much he has bounced back by spending the second half of the season at Triple-A Buffalo, NY. Projecting call-ups beyond this point come primarily from impressive statistics and a dose of personal sentimentality toward every Independent player.  These players fit into this mould:

–2013 Atlantic League Player of the Year Jake Fox (Somerset, NJ)by Philadelphiawith his season-long home run total up to 38 between the Mexican Leagueand Class AA Reading, PA. He has driven in 113 runs.

—Well-traveled Indy vet Mark Minicozzi (Winnipeg, Canada,and Kansas City, American Association; Camden, NJ,Atlantic; and Worcester), because his ability to play multiple positions and his .295-12-62 season in Triple-A despite an injury-slowed first half would give San Franciscoa quality hand for the Giants’stretch drive.

— Brock Peterson (Bridgeport, CT,Atlantic) would give the Los Angeles Dodgersan extra long-ball threat off the bench.  He has hit .387-9-36 in 45 games since being obtained in a trade although Albuquerquecurrently has the first baseman on the seven-day disabled list.

— Torontois a distant challenger in the American Leaguepostseason picture although one would think International LeagueReliever of the Year Bobby Korecky (Winnipeg)would be a welcome addition to the bullpen.

Amarillo’s Holdzkom Stays on Track

Power-pitching John Holdzkom, who was in the American Association (Amarillo, TX)earlier this season but seems on a fast track, is one long shot some are pushing for a September audition with Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-9 right-hander, at a prime age of 26, continues to lower his earned run average at Indianapolis,where it is at 2.75 after 17 outings, and he is holding Triple-A hitters to a .194 average.  The Californianative has struck out 25 in 19.2 innings while allowing only 14 hits.

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Marte, Korecky Among Season-Long All-Star Choices

Third baseman Andy Martehas had an exceptional season at Reno, NV,resulting in a few days and a  dramatic home run with the parent Arizona Diamondbacks, and now the onetime York, PA (Atlantic League)star is one of four former Independent Baseball players to be named to season-ending league all-star teams at one of the top two affiliated minor league levels (Classes AAA, AA).

Buffalo’s Bobby Korecky (Winnipeg,now in the American Association)has saved 21 games in 23 opportunities to be named the top reliever in the International League. In Class AA, former Indy players Brian Burgamyand Reynaldo Rodriguezhave earned spots on the Eastern Leagueall-star team.

(This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes on Independent Baseball.  Thirty-six columns are planned during 2014.  Fans may subscribe for as little as $6.95 at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The authorhas 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)