Winnipeg Goldeyes Daily Clippings Tuesday, June 18 , 2019
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WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS TUESDAY, JUNE 18th, 2019 - Chicago Dogs Improving in Second AA Season—Winnipeg Sun, 6/18/19 - Seddon Set to Make Goldeyes Debut—Winnipeg Sun, 6/17/19 - June 15th Games Rescheduled, Double Header at Shaw Park This Saturday—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 6/17/19 - Goldeyes Double Header Against Milkmen Postponed—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Bill Burfoot), 6/15/19 - Goldeyes Add Double-A All-Star, Two-Time Champion Seddon—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 6/15/19 CHICAGO DOGS IMPROVING IN SECOND AA SEASON WINNIPEG SUN – TUESDAY, JUNE 18th The Winnipeg Goldeyes welcome the Chicago Dogs for a three-game series at Shaw Park this week. Over the first month of the season, Winnipeg and Chicago—along with the St. Paul Saints—have wrestled up and down the top three positions in the American Association North Division. After beginning their expansion season 11-27, which included a 13-game losing streak, Chicago finished the 2018 campaign 34-27, and have carried that momentum into 2019. Chicago’s 30 team home runs are tied for the American Association lead, while the club’s 3.48 ERA ranks second. The Dogs’ loaded roster has not only performed well, but has a collective track record rivaled by few American Association teams in recent memory. The pitching staff features three former major leaguers, including longtime Chicago Cubs fan favourite Carlos Zambrano. ‘Big Z,’ as he was affectionately referred to by teammates and fans, amassed 132 wins and a 3.66 ERA during his 12 years in the majors. Zambrano helped the Cubs reach the postseason three times, and also earned a top-five Cy Young Award finish on three occasions. Zambrano last pitched in the majors in 2012 before spending the 2013 season in the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league system. After four years away from the game, the 38-year-old made a brief appearance last season in the Mexican League, and signed with the Dogs this past winter. Zambrano has pitched in relief thus far, and has also taken 16 at-bats. The switch-hitting Zambrano slugged 24 major-league home runs, which ranks tied for seventh all-time among MLB pitchers. Zambrano is joined by former major league left-handers DJ Snelten and Casey Crosby. Snelten made four appearances in “The Show” for the San Francisco Giants just last season, and is scheduled to pitch the second game of this week’s series on Wednesday. Crosby made three starts for the Detroit Tigers in 2012, and previously pitched in the American Association for the Lincoln Saltdogs. Offensively, the Dogs have been led by a pair of former first-round draft picks. First baseman Keon Barnum was chosen 48th overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2012, and is tied for the American Association lead with eight home runs. Outfielder Victor Roache was the 28th overall pick in that same draft, and enters this series tied for ninth in the league with a .333 batting average. Rookie outfielder Tony Rosselli hit eight home runs in 60 games for the Dogs last year, and has nearly matched that with seven longballs in just 22 contests. Former second-rounder Kelly Dugan owns a .799 OPS (on-base plus slugging), and is expected to be a key contributor as a left-handed bat. Dugan’s father, Dennis, is a longtime Hollywood director who has administered numerous films starring comedian Adam Sandler, including the 1996 cult classic Happy Gilmore. DOUBLE DIP NOW DOUBLE DIPS The Goldeyes and Milwaukee Milkmen have announced the rescheduling of Saturday’s doubleheader in Kokomo, Ind., that was postponed due to rain. One of the games will be made up this Saturday as part of a doubleheader at Shaw Park beginning at 5:05 p.m. The other game will be made up on Aug. 9 as part of a twinbill at Routine Field in Wisconsin. UP NEXT The Goldeyes and Dogs open their three-game series at Shaw Park tonight at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Joel Seddon will make his Goldeyes debut. The game can be heard on 93.7 FM. SEDDON SET TO MAKE GOLDEYES DEBUT WINNIPEG SUN – MONDAY, JUNE 17th The Winnipeg Goldeyes bolstered their pitching staff over the weekend with the addition of right-hander Joel Seddon. Seddon was scheduled to pitch the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader before both games were postponed due to inclement weather. The Port Huron, Mich., native is expected to make his Goldeyes debut this week. Seddon pitched in the Oakland Athletics’ organization for six seasons, and was a double-A all-star in 2018 for the Texas League’s Midland RockHounds. The 26-year-old helped Midland win back-to-back Texas League championships in 2016 and 2017, and was a combined 4-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 19.0 postseason innings. Seddon was a college teammate of Goldeyes first baseman Kyle Martin at the University of South Carolina. “He can pitch,” Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. “He’s a guy that knows what he wants to do out there. We were looking for someone with experience, and I felt he was the best guy available. I’m glad he chose to join us. There were a lot of teams after him. He has a couple people he’s familiar with on our club, and that certainly helped in getting him signed. I’m glad he’s here, and I’m anxious to see him pitch.” RED LIGHT RYAN Rookie left-hander Ryan Johnson has pitched to a 3.68 ERA in his first four professional starts. The Winnipegger took a tough-luck loss against Milwaukee on Friday, allowing just two earned runs in five and one-third innings. Johnson already has proven to be one of the toughest pitchers in the American Association to run against. Opposing base stealers have been thrown out five times in six attempts with Johnson on the hill. “The first time someone gets on (base), he establishes that he’s going to be tough to run against,” Forney said. “Being able to shut down that running game certainly goes a long way in helping him.” UNSUNG HERO Goldeyes right-hander Tyler Garkow is emerging as a dependable long reliever. Garkow has pitched more than one inning in four of his six relief appearances. Upon taking over for Johnson in the sixth inning on Friday, Garkow helped keep the Goldeyes in the game by inducing an inning-ending double play ball before striking out a pair during a perfect bottom of the seventh. “He’s thrown the ball well,” Forney said. “His arm speed has gotten better over the last week or so. His command was good (on Friday), he changed the hitters’ eye levels, and added and subtracted. Everything you’d want to see in a pitcher, he did it.” OMAHA MEMORIES The 2019 College World Series is underway. Multiple Goldeyes have represented their schools in Omaha, Neb. Seddon and Martin played in the 2012 College World Series where the South Carolina Gamecocks fell just shy of winning a third consecutive U.S. college national championship. Dominic Ficociello, an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, also played in the 2012 tournament. Third-year Goldeye Mitchell Lambson reached the College World Series in both 2010 and 2011 while playing at perennial powerhouse Arizona State. “It’s an awesome experience,” said Lambson. “There’s nothing like it. It’s surreal, because as a kid, we all see the College World Series on TV, and then all of a sudden you’re there. You really can’t compare it to anything. You feel like you’re in a dream. When it’s over, it’s over so fast, and you’re like: ‘Wow, what happened?’ It’s a lot of fun to be in that moment. I’ll definitely be watching.” JUST PLAY HARD Milwaukee Milkmen pitching coach Bart Zeller, who not only played in the major leagues, but also played for the original Winnipeg Goldeyes, has enjoyed his first month with the expansion franchise. The 77-year-old Zeller has an old-school philosophy on how the game should be played. “As long as they play with passion and commitment,” Zeller said on his expectations for his players. “When the fans come out and see the game, they should be getting their money’s worth. I preach that to our players all the time. If you really think about it, the toughest thing we have to do is run hard for 90 feet four times a night. And if that’s asking too much, you should go home and find another job, because I just can’t stand anyone jogging down to first base. You never know—someone drops a ball, someone kicks it, but the next thing you know, you’re still out because you weren’t hustling.” UP NEXT The Goldeyes have Monday off and open a three-game series against the Chicago Dogs on Tuesday. First pitch from Shaw Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on 93.7 FM. JUNE 15th GAMES RESCHEDULED, DOUBLE HEADER AT SHAW PARK THIS SATURDAY STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – MONDAY, JUNE 17th WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes, in conjunction with the Milwaukee Milkmen and the American Association, have announced the makeup dates for the double header that was postponed on Saturday, June 15th in Kokomo, Indiana. One of the games will be made up at Shaw Park as part of a double header this Saturday (June 22nd). First pitch for game one is now at 5:05 p.m.