Hey man, where ya' headed? Part 1: Independent Leagues

Purdom had a quick stint in indy ball
before the Phillies nabbed him.
Photo credit: Goldpanners.com

Independent pro ball is a strange place. You've got guys who were overlooked in the draft, guys trying to hold on to one more pro season, and guys in between affiliated clubs. Guys who could probably play in AAA or MLB, and guys who wouldn't make the cut in single-A. But like all professional leagues, the independent ranks are peppered with former ABL players. We're going to take a look at where some of them will end up to start the 2010 season today.
 

Moving out:

It might not be fair to say that all indy ball players hope to break into affiliated ball, but it's probably true for most of them. There are a few ABL guys who successfully transitioned from the indy leagues to affiliated baseball this offseason.

The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of Rick Rivas (Pilots, 2003/2004) from the American Association's El Paso club. Rivas was overlooked in the draft and went straight into independent baseball, where he toughed out a couple years trying to get a look from an affiliated team. The Dodgers finally came calling and hopefully he is on his way up the ladder to the big league.

Robert Perry (Oilers, 2004) is also being brought back into the organized farm system with the Colorado Rockies. His contract was purchased from the Windy City TunderBolts of the Frontier League in December. Perry originally came up in the Padres' organization before going independent. Most players who go the independent route after being cut from a farm system toil for a few years before hanging them up. It's good to see Perry break back into the system.


John Purdom (Panners, 2001) also made the jump from affiliated to independent, back to affiliated again, but his transition was much more quick and less surprising. Purdom started out in the Reds system, then went over to Florida where he spent the first 20 games of the season in AAA before being released. He finished out the season in the Atlantic League and was picked up by the Phillies in February. As of now he is still in the Philadelphia organization and all signs seem to say that he'll start the year there.

Moving in:

Joey Newby, the three-year Oiler and Alaska-grown product out of Soldotna, is moving the other way. Cut by the Seattle Mariners after a year on their AA & AAA clubs and another four in the Oakland organization, Newby has latched on with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.

Hot stove:

The off-season in independent leagues is not unlike that in Major League ball; players will be traded between teams and even leagues, as will free agents. Some notable ABL names were shuffled around this winter:

Randy Beam is trying to make a comeback in
baseball after injury.
Photo credit: OilersBaseball.com

Randy Beam (Oilers, 2003) was traded from Pensacola of the American Association to the Northern League's franchise in Gary. Beam spent time in the Red Sox' farm system; he made it all the way to AA before he was cut after the 2006 season when he sustained an injury. The Beamster spent a couple years out of baseball until he made his comeback run with the Pensacola Pelicans in 2009, starting 20 games and compiling a 10-7 record.

Lee Ellis (Fire, 2004) has signed on with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League. Ellis spent 2009 with Big Bend of the Continental League after being cut by the Orioles organization; in 24 games he belted 7 homers and post a 1.087 OPS.  

Cody Neer (Pilots, 2007) will join fellow ABLer Newby in Southern Illinois this year. The (other) Miners signed the catcher this winter after a very short season with the Kansas City T-Bones. Neer logged six at-bats in KC last year before taking a break to wrap up his college coursework. This year will be his first full pro season.

The Souix Falls Canaries have signed catcher Eddy Rodriguez (Miners, 2004), who played with the El Paso Diablos in 2009. Rodriguez was once a Top 100 high school prospect, according to Baseball America, and spent three years in the Reds' organization. He is regarded as one of the best catchers in the American Association.

Payton Tweddale (Fire, 2007) was a member of the legendary '07 Fire squad that took the ABL by storm. He spent 2008 & 2009 with the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League, and was signed this off-season by the American Association's St. Paul Saints.

Familiar faces:

Several players have re-signed, or had their 2010 options picked up, by their 2009 independent league teams: Ryan Bird (Pilots, 2003) will return for the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League...The Orange County Flyers (Golden League) exercised the 2010 option for Mike Koons (Pilots, 2004) and Danny Morrow (Fire, 2006)...Truman Mehl (Bucs, 2003/2004) will return to the Golden League's Chico Outlaws, who exercised his 2010 option...The Northern League's RailCats have resigned Andy Shipman (Pilots, 2003) after he won the league's Reliever of the Year award in 2009

So long and thanks for all the shoes:

The independent circuit is not the most glamorous and, honestly, is the end of the road for a lot of players. One such guy is James Guerrero (Panners, 2003) who announced his retirement at the end of the Frontier League season in 2009. Guerrero put together three professional seasons combined between the Florida & Colorado organizations and independent baseball.

Issac Omura (Bucs, 2004) will join Guerrero in retirement from indy ball. After two years in the Oakland organization, Omura put together a couple years in independent baseball, including last year's stint in the Northern League. He decided to hang up the spikes and go back to school in Hawaii, where he played college ball, and finish his degree. He is also an assistant coach for his old ball club.

Whatever the future has in store for Guerrero and Omura, let's wish them the best of luck in all their endeavors. Thanks for being a part of the Alaska League, guys.

And the biggest tease award goes to...:

The Chicago White Sox! Ben Fritz (Pilots, 2001) spent 2009 and part of 2008 in the Atlantic League after being released by the Tigers. His break back into affiliated ball looked promising this spring when he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. Unfortunately, the ChiSox released him out of spring training, which leaves Fritz looking for a job right before the season starts. Bummer, dude. Best of luck.


And that brings our look at the 2010 off-season in the independent leagues to a close. Of course, there are lots of free agents out there, players being cut from affiliated ball that will latch on in indy leagues, and a few guys that just kinda fell off the radar, so I will post updates as necessary. Stay tuned for our look at the affiliated minor leagues coming soon.