July 24, 2008
Batista Happy To Be Here
The wait lasted far longer than infielder Wilson Batista, Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin or manager Tommy John ever anticipated. Never did they imagine that it would take roughly three months for Batista to receive a visa.
The Bluefish filed the necessary paperwork in the final week of May. Marlin expected Batista to join the team May 28. Instead, he was given the runaround by those at the consulate in the Dominican Republic.
Batista ultimately received a visa July 14. He arrived in Bridgeport two days later and passed a physical July 17 before officially joining the Bluefish last Friday.
``I feel so bad,’’ Batista said. ``I wanted to come early and I wanted to be in spring training. I want to do my job. The consulate in the Dominican … I don’t know what’s going on. But I think they didn’t want me to come. But they gave me my visa and now I’m here and I’m excited about it.’’
Batista, 27, said he had been working out a couple of times a week at home. Entering tonight’s series opener against the first half Liberty Division champion Camden Riversharks, Batista was hitting .278 (5-for-18) with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored in four games.
He has provided the Bluefish with instant flexibility, with John having already him at second base, shortstop and third base. Also, Batista has experienced no discomfort in his surgically right hand.
``I want to do a really good job here because my agent tells me maybe then something good will happen next year,’’ Batista said. ``I’m going to try to put up good numbers here. I’m ready to go.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 9:23 PM
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July 18, 2008
Ellison Signed
One of the top relief pitchers in the Atlantic League this season has finally been rewarded. Bridgeport Bluefish left-hander Derrick Ellison was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers today and will join the Brewers in the Arizona (Rookie) League before being officially assigned within the organization.
The opportunity caps what was a roller coaster week for Ellison. It began with him suffering through the worst of his 22 appearances with the Bluefish last Sunday in front of a scout from the Boston Red Sox at Long Island. He allowed three runs on one hit and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. Ellison, who was a late addition to the Liberty Division All-Star team, then impressed the Brewers by firing a scoreless inning at the league All-Star Game Wednesday in Bridgewater, N.J.
Ellison, 29, becomes the third member of the Bluefish to be signed by a major league organization this season. Catcher Brian Peterson (Baltimore Orioles) and centerfielder Adam Greenberg (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) were both picked up in May.
``My wife and I just laughed and we just said that God created this opportunity,’’ Ellison said. ``The Red Sox had come to see me pitch in Long Island and I just had a bad day at the office. The same day the All-Star team was announced and at that very moment I wasn’t on the All-Star team. So for God to put me on that team and allow me to throw in that game and, obviously, to have the result that I had the other night I just felt that God’s created this opportunity and we’re extremely excited and thankful for it.’’
Ellison was 1-1 with one save and a 1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings for the Bluefish. Opponents were hitting .195 against him (16-for-82) and he had a scoreless innings streak stopped at 16 1/3 during the aforementioned outing at Long Island.
Ellison was clocked as high as 96 miles per hour at the All-Star game when he struck out three. He will depart for Arizona Sunday.
``When I called him I said to myself this is the fun part of the job because I could see the kid smile through the phone,’’ Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin said. ``It couldn’t happen to a better guy.’’
Ellison said that he has been told by a Brewers official that based on how he performs next week in front of what he termed as ``the upper decision-makers in the minor league system’’ there’s a 50-50 chance that he’ll be assigned to either High Desert in the high Class A California League or to Huntsville in the Class AA Southern League by the end of next week.
This will be only the second stint in a major league organization for Ellison during his eight-year career. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2005 and made seven appearances at Inland Empire in the Class A California League.
``They said that they’re going to give me the opportunity to finish the year with them and their plans are to have me in spring training,’’ Ellison said. ``So we’re just going to try to keep pitching well and let them make the decisions they need to make. The big leagues feel a lot closer than they did (Thursday). So we’re still dreaming that that can be accomplished.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 4:48 PM
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Doetsch, Batista In
The Bluefish depth at two positions today by signing outfielder Steve Doetsch and infielder Wilson Batista. Both players passed a physical Thursday and accompanied the team to Somerset for the start of a six-game road trip today.
Doetsch hit .083 with two RBIs and three runs scored in 11 games at Potomac in the Class A Carolina League and was 0-1 with a 15.43 ERA in three appearances (2 1/3 innings) with the Nationals in the short-season Gulf Coast (Rookie) League in the Washington Nationals organization this season. He hit .284 with 21 doubles, seven triples, a career-high 22 home runs and 65 RBIs in 113 games with the Road Warriors last season.
``He’s a guy that had a lot of success last year in this league,’’ general manager Todd Marlin said. ``We expect him to come in and rotate with the guys in the outfield, hit some home runs, play good defense and he’s actually probably going to even end up being our 12th pitcher for now until we get another one in here.’’
Batista, whose arrival had been delayed for months due to visa problems, hit a combined .236 with 16 doubles, six home runs and 25 RBIs in 87 games at Class A St. Lucie, Class AAA New Orleans and Class AA Binghamton last season in the New York Mets organization.
Outfielder Bobby Darula and designated hitter Calvin Pickering were previously released to clear roster space.
``Wilson Batista is here and on the bus and official and legal and the whole deal,’’ Marlin said. ``I really didn’t know if it was ever going to become that or not. He is good to go and we’re excited to have him. I think he’ll definitely help us out, especially at this time of year. This is when it’s very difficult to find middle infielders if something were to happen. To have depth in the middle infield is huge for us.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 4:45 PM
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July 11, 2008
Bergstrom Back/Bear Out
Rafael Bergstrom returned to Harbor Yard for the first time this week today. And his teammates had their share of fun at his expense
Bergstrom’s locker was cordoned off with yellow ``caution’’ tape. He also wore a bright red T-shirt during batting practice, which resembled the no-contact pinnies worn by quarterbacks during practice.
The lesions that have been on Bergstrom’s legs and hands have all but disappeared and he was cleared to play. While the results of the culture that was administered Tuesday were inconclusive, Bergstrom has been diagnosed with a staph infection.
``It was a little bit scary at first,’’ Bergstrom said. ``The doctor was kind of looking at me and didn’t even know exactly what to say. They gave me some antibiotic (Keflex) and said, `We’ll see what happens.’ It turns out it was a little bit of a staph infection type thing. It’s got to be because there’s too many guys in the locker room. (But) I’m not sure.’’
It was initially thought that the lesions were caused by something Bergstrom encountered while swimming at Fire Island in New York last Sunday. General manager Todd Marlin said today that other members the team would be examined and that the clubhouse was going to be cleaned and sterilized.
Bergstrom, who was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday, will start Sunday against the Newark Bears in the final game before the four-day All-Star break.
``I feel fine,’’ Bergstrom said. ``The whole time I felt OK. It was just that I had stuff on my legs. I’m on antibiotics for a week. They said once you start on it it kills all the contagious part of it so I can come back. That’s the thing, they just wanted me out of the locker room in case it was contagious. There was no physical damage. I didn’t feel sick. No fevers. No aches. It was just a couple little itching spots, swollen in a couple places.’’
Outfielder Ryan Bear is expected to be held out of the three-game series this weekend after injuring his left shoulder diving for a fly ball with two outs in the 10th inning of Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Lancaster Barnstormers.
The ailment should not prohibit Bear, who is hitting .324 with six home runs and 34 RBIs, from playing in the Atlantic League All-Star Game Wednesday at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J.
``He’ll play in the All-Star Game and there’s no sense getting him out there and letting him play,’’ manager Tommy John said. ``Maybe if he wants to take a pinch hit or maybe a DH on Sunday if he feels like it … But I just see to get one game out of him risk hurting him that he won’t be well for six weeks.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 7:49 PM
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July 10, 2008
Ellison Added/Bergstrom Improving
A decision that manager Tommy John felt should have been made when the rest of the Atlantic League All-Stars were announced Sunday was finally made today. Left-handed reliever Derrick Ellison was named to the Liberty Division team to replace teammate Eric DuBose, who has opted to spend the break with his family at home in Alabama.
Ellison is one of seven members of the Bluefish who will participate in the All-Star Game Wednesday at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J. First baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke, third baseman Luis Lopez and outfielder Branden Florence were named as starters. Second baseman Henry Mateo and outfielder Ryan Bear will serve as reserves, while starting pitcher Barry Hertzler was also selected.
``We should’ve had eight (players named),’’ John said. ``(Ellison) should have been the third pitcher, but you have so many position players that you couldn’t have three pitchers. But if you look at his numbers, his numbers are probably better than anybody in the league with the exception of Matt Schweitzer down in Southern Maryland.’’
Entering play today, Ellison was 1-1 with one save and a 1.57 ERA in 21 appearances (23 1/3 innings) this season. Schweitzer was 0-2 with three saves and a 1.00 ERA in a league-high 38 appearances (36).
Ellison, incidentally, missed just over three weeks earlier this season due to a strained right oblique.
``It’s great to have the opportunity now that I’m going to get to go,’’ Ellison said. ``It’s an honor and I thank the Lord for the opportunity. It’s good to go with these guys and just represent the Bluefish.’’
Right-hander Rafael Bergstrom spent another day away from the ballpark today. But he is likely to return today as the lesions on his arms and legs have diminished.
Bergstrom, who was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday, began to breakout approximately six hours after swimming at Fire Island in New York Sunday. General manager Todd Marlin and John each said Thursday that they had to yet to receive a concrete diagnosis.
``The culture has not shown up anything,’’ John said. ``But the medication that they gave him, Keflex, which is a pretty powerful antibiotic … The sores are subsiding. Thank God that it didn’t spread to anybody.’’
If Bergstrom continues to progress he will start Sunday against the Newark Bears at Harbor Yard in the final game before the All-Star break.
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 8:41 PM
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July 6, 2008
All-Star Fish
The Bluefish felt all season that they possessed the talent to win the Liberty Division first-half championship. They did not achieve their goal, but judging by the roster for the Atlantic League All-Star Game they have the most talent among the players still in the league.
The Bluefish had a division-high seven players named today, based on voting by fans, league and team officials and members of the media. The total tied the Somerset Patriots, who represent the Freedom Division, for the most in the league.
First baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke (.258, 15 HR, 56 RBI through Saturday), third baseman Luis Lopez (.365, 4, 48) and outfielder Branden Florence (.328, 4, 30) were named as starters. Second baseman Henry Mateo (.312, 2, 26) and outfielder Ryan Bear (.324, 6, 34) are reserves, while starting pitchers Eric DuBose (4-2, 3.38) and Barry Hertzler (3-5, 4.63) were also named.
``I think that’s something that we kind of knew right off the bat, that we were going to have that kind of talent,’’ general manager Todd Marlin said. ``And unfortunately, they haven’t put it together completely to win the first half. But we were right there. We had our opportunities. We really did. I think it says a lot for what (manager) Tommy (John) and all of us are doing getting players in here, trying to get the best guys we can.’’
The All-Star Game will be held at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J. July 16.
Hoorelbeke, the 2007 league Co-Player of the Year, was tied for the league-lead in home runs and was second in RBIs entering play today. Lopez was tied for third in the league in hitting, was first in hits (91), tied for first in doubles (19) and second in on-base percentage (.457). Mateo led the league in runs scored (59), was tied for the lead in doubles and was third in hits (83). DuBose was tied for the league lead in complete games (two) and was third in ERA (3.38).
One noticeable omission from a Bluefish standpoint was left-hander Derrick Ellison, who was 1-0 with 0.40 ERA and one save in 20 appearances (22 1/3 innings) through Saturday. Long Island closer Joe Valentine (3-2, 3.13, eight saves), Camden closer Alec Zumwalt (4-1, 2.56, league-leading 13 saves), Camden’s Julio Guerrero (6-1, 3.26) and Southern Maryland’s Matt Schweitzer (0-3, 1.03. three saves) were the four relievers named. Three had worked at least 31 2/3 innings, while Valentine, who was signed and released by the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this season, had 23.
``That’s one’s tough,’’ Marlin said. ``I don’t really get that one. I would think that it’s probably just because he’s a bullpen guy and maybe because he missed a little bit of time (with an oblique strain). That would be the only reason I would think. He’s been pitching very good.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 4:55 PM
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July 2, 2008
On the Lookout For A Position Player
The Bluefish landed the starting pitching help they had been seeking when they signed left-hander Mike Connolly. He is expected to make his first start Saturday at Long Island.
With the second half set to begin next Tuesday, they are now looking to bolster their depth by acquiring another versatile position player. Manager Tommy John does not want to play the waiting game again in the second half like he did with utility infielder Wilson Batista in the first half.
Batista was definitively set to join the team at various points this season only to have his arrival continuously delayed by a visa problem in the Dominican Republic. With Batista’s issues and a wrist injury that forced Jay Caligiuri to miss the first 57 games, John was forced to utilize third baseman Luis Lopez (64 games), second baseman Henry Mateo (63) and shortstop Alex Prieto (62) extensively through first 66 games.
``We’re looking for somebody that can play all over so that you don’t run into playing the same guys because I think that was the one thing that killed us here,’’ John said. ``If Batista had been here when he was supposed to we wouldn’t have been as tired. But I think the guys got worn down. I really do.’’
The Bluefish had thought that they had reached a deal with former big leaguer Shea Hillenbrand two weeks ago. However, he signed with York this week to be their every-day third baseman.
General manager Todd Marlin said that Director of Player Procurement Mike Church has recently made contact with Patrick Dobson. Dobson, the 27-year-old son of actor Kevin Dobson, was in camp with the San Francisco Giants this spring before being released March 23.
He hit .223 with 21 doubles, five home runs and 27 RBIs in 104 games for Connecticut in the Class AA Eastern League last season. He played 28 games at first base, 13 at second base, three at third base and 48 in the outfield for the Defenders.
``It’s still in the ground work,’’ Marlin said. ``I guess he just really kind of decided that he wanted to keep playing.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 9:31 PM
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July 1, 2008
Pike Unfazed By Impending Move
The move has not yet officially been made. Left-hander Mike Connolly did not arrive prior to gametime tonight. But when it is right-hander Matt Pike won’t have any problem with moving from the starting rotation back the bullpen where he began the season.
The Bluefish clubhouse is as tightly knit as it’s been in the 11-year history of the franchise. It is filled with a group of team-first players, with Pike fitting right in. Connolly was tabbed as a starter before he left the Bluefish to play in Taiwan in spring training. He will be used as a starter now, and manager Tommy John believes that it is in relief that Pike best helps the team.
``I’ve always been a player that will just do whatever the team feels is best to win ballgames, whether that’s a reliever role long-term, short-inning, whether it’s a starter role,’’ Pike said. ``Any way that the coaching staff feels they can utilize me the best way for the team’s benefit. I’ll just go about my business each day to prepare for that.’’
Pike (6-2) was tied for second in the Atlantic League in wins entering play tonight. He is 4-1 with a 6.35 ERA in nine starts since making a spot start May 21. He is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five relief appearances.
Throughout his eight-year career, Pike has been increasingly effective in relief. He has a 2.92 ERA in 156 relief appearances and a 5.87 ERA in 26 career starts. He led the Canadian-American League with a career-high 24 saves for the Atlantic City Surf last season.
``I don’t know if it’s a comfort level thing as much as it’s an adjustment that needs to be made with the everyday routine as far as preparing the body to pitch,’’ Pike said. ``It really isn’t one that’s more comfortable than the other. It’s just a matter of having the right mindset to prepare to pitch. I try to just focus on the simple things and just let the rest take care of itself.’’
The move to the bullpen will also help Pike rid himself of some inflammation that has developed in his right shoulder due to his heavy workload. He has logged 61 innings this season, the second highest total of his career. He reached a high of 65 innings in 41 relief appearances for St. Paul in the independent American Association in 2006.
Pike said there is no structural damage in his shoulder.
``If he has shoulder issues then it’s easier to keep it sound out of the bullpen then throwing 125 pitches,’’ John said. ``It’s either Pike or (Rafael) Bergstrom. One of those two guys. So we’ll probably go with Pike and then see because I haven’t heard of anybody else coming in.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on 7:23 PM
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