Camp: Day 5
April 19, 2008 by Jason Guarente
Remember that Danny Gonzalez fellow? Well, he’s back on the Barnstormers. The shortstop made a surprise return to the team and actually played in today’s spring training game. The Barnstormers tied the Camden Riversharks 5-5 at Charlie Gehringer Field.
Gonzalez’s stay in Mexico didn’t last long. He went 3-for-25 in five games for Guerreros de Oaxaca before being released. Teams often grow impatient with foreign-born players down there.
“I had a bad week,” Gonzalez said. “The team was in last place so the imports over there they don’t hold them for long when the team is doing so bad. I had an argument with the GM and they let me go.”
Gonzalez didn’t really want to play in Mexico. His preference was Lancaster, but he went for the bigger paycheck. Once he was released, the next step was to call the Barnstormers and hope they had a spot for him.
They made room.
“I love it here,” Gonzalez said. “I was happy they gave me an opportunity to come back. I thought when I called they were going to be packed and I wasn’t going to have a chance.”
The Barnstormers’ decision to sign Gonzalez tells you the team is not entirely happy with its middle infield situation. At the moment they have three guys for two spots: Gonzalez, SS John Nelson and 2B Mike Woods.
How does this affect playing time?
“It definitely puts a wrench into it,” manager Von Hayes said. “We’re going to take a look at (Gonzalez) at second base and obviously he’s going to play some short. We’re going to work some people around. It’s good to have his glove out there.”
Other transactions are on the horizon. My guess is the Barnstormers won’t carry all three of these players on their opening day roster and that’s not the only area where they’re looking to make improvements.
Consider this quote ….
“Guys are a little bit too comfortable right now,” Hayes said. “I don’t know if they think the ink is dry and that means they’ll automatically play. We need to set that straight. The season is about to start and we need a higher effort level on defense.”
As for the game …
Scoring summary …
| Barnstormers | 100 | 200 | 020 | 5 |
| Riversharks | 000 | 400 | 100 | 5 |
Stormers 1st: Matt LeCroy’s single scores Brian Stavisky.
Barnstormers lead 1-0.
Stormers 4th: Brian Stavisky hits solo home run. Lance Burkhart hits solo home run. Barnstormers lead 3-0.
Riversharks 4th: Nic Jackson’s double scores Chris Walker. Brett Bonvechio’s double scores Jackson. Josh Rabe’s single scores Gabe Suarez. Bonvechio scores on double play.
Riversharks lead 4-3.
Riversharks 7th: Jason Phillips’ single scores L.J. Biernbaum.
Riversharks lead 5-3.
Stormers 8th: Stavisky’s home run scores Lloyd Turner.
Game tied at 5.
Box score:
| Player | AB | R | H | BI |
| Mike Woods, 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dominick Ambrosini, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Stavisky, RF | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Matt LeCroy, DH | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Lance Burkhart, C | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| sub-Manny Mejia, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian Bladergroen, 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jutt Hileman, CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vasili Spanos, 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| John Nelson, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Danny Gonzalez, 2B-SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lloyd Turner, UT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 36 | 5 | 10 | 5 |
Offensive highlights:
*Stavisky put on a show. The outfielder smashed a pair of home runs to right field. The second shot erased a 5-3 deficit in the eighth inning. He’s not going to be with the Barnstormers for long.
“Brian is just a tremendous hitter,” Hayes said. “I like to watch him hit. He’s the type of guy when he struggles he still gets his hits and doesn’t try to do too much. Then he starts feeling it and you see what he did today. That’s a professional hitter.”
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Barnstormers add an OF before the start of the season as an insurance policy. They’ve already lost OF Jason Perry and will likely lose Stavisky at some point.
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Nate Hoelscher | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Ricardo Gomez | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Pat Cassa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Franklin Mendible | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ryan Cullen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Pitching highlights:
*Lefty Nate Hoelscher is kind of a forgotten man because he was added to the roster so late, but he pitched well today and should be a valuable man out of the bullpen.
*Lefty Pat Cassa was the big story. The 22-year-old who has only pitched in rookie ball retired all six batters he faced. He struck out three and coaxed two weak groundouts.
*Righty Ricardo Gomez (pictured at the top) hit 91 on the radar gun and opened a few eyes.
“I was real happy to see Pat Cassa pitch well today,” Hayes said. “Gomez was impressive also. He was the victim of the inning there, but other than that I really liked what he showed me. That answers the question as far as long relief.”
*Ryan Cullen is in line to be the closer at the start of the season since Sendy Rleal and Jose Cabrera will not be appearing in camp.
I took my second crack at videography. The second youtube piece will focus on C Lance Burkhart.
nice to see the guys put up runs late in the game. that’s what it’s gonna take to win another championship.
How hard were the other pitchers throwing today? Except for yesterday the pitching seems to be doing well. This is good news for the season, even if it is early.
Cassa is 22? That’s very young for this league.
Is Rleal expected to join the team after camp?
Gomez hit 91. Mendible was around there. Those were the only two I saw. The scout didn’t have his radar gun on everyone.
I’m told Rleal’s paperwork has been filed and it’s up to the Dominican government to approve it. There’s no way to predict how long that will take. Could be a day or two. Could be longer.
Yipee for Danny, I think???? I am glad he is back but wonder if his heart is really in it?
Interesting, the two guys that got hit got gunned… sometimes its funny how those things work.
What will happen when and if Rleal gets here. There are already 13 pitchers on the roster.
The scout was walking back and forth between games, depending on whom he wanted to watch. The Revs and Blue Crabs were playing at the same time as the Stormers.
There are 13 pitchers including Rleal and Cabrera. I’m hearing ominous comments about changes being on the way, but I don’t know exactly what will happen, so it’s hard to predict what the roster will look like in five days.
Three things to look out for … resolving the logjam at 2B/SS, possibly adding a starting pitcher for the fifth slot in the rotation, possibly adding an OF. I think we might see some trades within the Atlantic League.
Thats true about Cassa being young for this league. I can think of 2 names on past Barnstormers teams that were around that age and didn’t fare too well in the league…Pedro Diaz and Manny Vasquez-Santiago . Let’s hope Cassa continues this.
..good pitching I mean..sorry!
I know I should know this,but is Jason Phillips the former mlb player with the Mets and Blue Jays?
Welcome back to Danny.
I’ll be following the development of the middle infield. A lot of talent among those three.
I have faith that this team will be solid. The pitching staff is looking tough and there is power in the line-up.
Opening Day is coming and the excitement is definitely building.
Yes, it’s the Jason Phillips from the Mets/Jays.
Thanks Jason,Phillips,complete with funky glasses.
Way to go Brian and Lance!!! Can’t wait to see what the Stormers have for the fans this year!!!
Jason’s is definitely right about Stavisky. The kid is good and has a decent pedigree. As for Danny…. I don’t know what to think. He’s turning into Jeremy Todd. I hope he sticks with the team for the whole season because the AL is probably his level. I kind of doubt that he’ll be picked-up by anyone if he couldn’t hit in Mexico.
The team NEEDS to get another starting pitcher! Ackerman won’t last more than 3 or 4 starts in the rotation and I met one of the other arms is picked-up.
If Danny wants to play , he can be one of the Best in the AL. If he does the sleepwalk thing, I don’t think Hayes will put up with it. Gonzo could have it made in Lancaster. It’s all down to his attitude.
I hope Keith is still shopping. I have a feeling we’ll need it. LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!
I think Ackerman will be OK. He’s working on a changeup to complement his slider and fastball, which are pretty good. But the Barnstormers do need another starting pitcher for the fifth spot and I think they realize it.
I’m shocked. i actually read the first sentence twicew to make sure i was reading it right. I’m very happy to have Danny back. I agree with the fan who said how things go for him this season all boils down to his attitude.
I got my season tickets today. They mentioned the new Mr. Potato Head giveaway this year. YES! I know I’m a total geek but I have a few MPH’s I got as giveaways at other stadiums.
Will Danny Gonzalez be a Barnstormer on mr. Potato head giveaway day?!? LOL
Any clue where Juan Francia is??
Francia is in Venezuela trying to get a visa approved. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with him. I don’t see how he fits this roster now that Gonzalez is here. They already have a glut of middle infielders.
Barnstormers play at 1 today, so the recap will be later than usual.
I guess we may see a few trades to ODP teams for a few players to be determined.
Great video…very professional looking, keep up the great work Jason, this brings the game into the home and for us far away it is a real treat!
I am one of the biggest Gonzalez fan in the stands. But if hekeeps flipping back and forth deciding to play here or mexico I feel he should sit until he is sure what he wants. Nelson and Woods are with the team from the start and deserve the roles.
At worst move Woods to the outfield and Gonzalez at second when he decides what he wants.