Your 2008 W.V. Power -- Latest: A Brief Catch-Up with Harvard Grad Steffan Wilson

[Mass Haas]

Stumbled upon these photos of Lee Haydel, Dan Merklinger (pitcher arm torque), and batting coach Jim Lett

[Mass Haas]

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Power's Fryer does it all

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

Eric Fryer came to Charleston as a catcher.

 

He might leave as an outfielder.

 

Or maybe both.

 

Fryer joined the West Virginia Power on May 7, the day the Milwaukee Brewers promoted him to their Class A club.

 

Fryer has made an immediate impact on the South Atlantic League team. He sports a team-high .298 batting average with one triple, two doubles, three home runs, six RBI, seven runs and 17 hits in 17 games.

 

"He has done a great job for us in the short time he has been here," Power Manager Jeff Isom said of Fryer, 22, an Ohio State University product whom the Brewers selected in the 10th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. "He has given us a spark."

 

Fryer was 1-for-4 on Monday afternoon in West Virginia's 4-3 loss to Lakewood (N.J.) in front of a Memorial Day crowd of 1,827 at Appalachian Power Park.

 

"He is a catcher, but we have Jonathan Lucroy, who is going to get the majority of the reps, and we have Uly Snijders, who is the backup," Isom said of the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Fryer. "He is the third-string catcher behind those guys, but the way he is swinging the bat, you have to find a place for him.

 

"We put him in the outfield and he has done a pretty good job defensively. The way he is swinging the bat, you can't take him out of the lineup. He has earned the opportunity to play everyday.

 

"If he keeps hitting, it won't be temporary by any means. He has already made it not temporary. He is a fixture out there in left field."

 

Fryer hit .209 with three home runs, seven doubles, 19 RBI, 25 runs and 29 hits in 43 games with Helena (Mont.) of the rookie Pioneer League last season.

 

His success this season "has been a little bit of a surprise to us," said Isom, who managed Fryer and his Helena teammates last season. "He didn't hit like this last year. But I see a completely different player this year.

 

"Offensively, there is no comparison between the two. He comes here and now he is putting the ball in play with authority. He is a real tough out at this point. That is a credit to him and all of the work he put in during the offseason, working with our hitting coordinator and hitting coaches down in extended spring training in Arizona."

 

Playing in the outfield isn't uncharted territory for Fryer, who catches bullpen sessions for Power pitching coach John Curtis and his hurlers to "stay sharp."

 

Fryer was primarily a catcher and occasionally a first baseman at Ohio State from 2005 to 2007. He was exclusively an outfielder in the Great Lakes League in 2005 because he tore a ligament in one of his thumbs and couldn't catch. He was primarily a catcher and occasionally an outfielder in the Cape Cod League in 2006. He was exclusively a catcher at Helena in 2007.

 

"It has been a little different," said Fryer, who has played only one game at catcher with West Virginia this season. "You definitely have a lot more responsibility as a catcher. There is a lot more action behind the plate than there is in the outfield.

 

"It has been a nice change because maybe you can relax a little more as an outfielder. But I do miss being a catcher because it's (the position) I have played ever since I was a kid."

[Mass Haas]

One of the better Brewer blogs, out there, BrewersNation, with a Jonathan Lucroy Q&A.

[LouisEly]

Fryer - the next Charlie Moore!

 

I would like him to get some reps at C because it can increase his value and C is perhaps the only position where mediocre offensive performance is tolerable if not sometimes accepted (depending on defensive skills).

[Mass Haas]

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Power lands four players in SAL All-Star Game

Lucroy, Haydel are Northern starters; Wheeler, Rivas also on team for June 17 game in Greensboro, N.C.

Charleston Daily Mail

 

Not only does the West Virginia Power have a season-high, five-game winning streak. Charleston's South Atlantic League baseball team, struggling throughout the first half of the season, also has a surprising number of SAL All-Star Game selections.

 

The teams for the 49th annual SAL All-Star Game have been named, and as the Power took the Appalachian Power Park field this morning for the final Grand Slam School Day game of the season, it was with four members of the Northern Division All-Star team.

Two Power players - catcher Jonathan Lucroy and center fielder Lee Haydel - were chosen as Northern starters. Zelous Wheeler was selected as a backup infielder, and West Virginia had one member of the 11-man pitching staff in right-hander Amaury Rivas.

 

On the Northern team, only division-leading Lake County had more selections than the Power. The Captains' five picks includes four pitchers. Lakewood also landed four players on the Northern squad.

 

The SAL All-Star Game will be played June 17 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C., to close the first half of the low Class A league's season. The 2009 All-Star Game will be played at Appalachian Power Park.

 

The 26-man all-star rosters were voted upon by SAL team front office executives, managers and coaching staffs, and media regularly covering the league.

 

Among the Power's SAL All-Star picks, Lucroy has been hot lately. The Power catcher is hitting .312 with eight homers and 28 RBI. The speedy Haydel has 21 stolen bases, and the center fielder is hitting .273 with eight doubles and 13 RBI.

 

Wheeler, who has played most at second and third base for the Power, is hitting .266 with five homers, 31 RBI and eight steals. On the mound, Rivas leads West Virginia with four wins (4-1) and has a 2.44 ERA with seven starts in 11 appearances. He has 39 strikeouts and 17 walks in 52 innings.

 

Lake County Manager Aaron Holbert will guide the Northern stars.

 

For the Southern Division, Asheville had a league-high seven players selected to the SAL All-Star Game, including five starters.

 

Asheville skipper Joe Mikulik will manage the Southern Division for the fourth time in his career. Currently in his ninth season at the Tourists' dugout helm, Mikulik also managed in the SAL All-Star Game in 2000, 2001 and 2007 and played in the game as a member of the Houston Astros' organization in 1985.

 

Greensboro will be hosting the SAL All-Star Game for the fourth time. Greensboro also hosted the game in 1980, 1982, and 1990. The annual SAL All-Star Game dates to 1960, when the All-Stars defeated the Salisbury club, 6-2, in Newton, N.C.

 

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2008 SAL All-Star Teams

The rosters for the 2008 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, scheduled June 17 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

Northern Division

Manager -- Aaron Holbert, Lake County.

Coaches -- Edwin Rodriguez;. Greensboro; Ruben Niebla, Lake County; Ramon Sambo, Delmarva; Jim Rickon, Lake County.

Trainer -- Julio Hernandez, Greensboro.

Pitchers -- Ryan Miller, Lake County; Kelvin De La Cruz, Lake County; Ryan Morris, Lake County; Sean Gleason, Delmarva; Amaury Rivas, West Virginia; Sergio Severino, Lexington; Drew Naylor, Lakewood; Andrew Battisto, Greensboro; Corey Madden, Greensboro; Vinnie Pestano, Lake County; Garrett Parcell, Greensboro.

Catcher -- Jonathan Lucroy, West Virginia (starter); Joel Naughton, Lakewood; Sean Rooney, Hagerstown.

First base -- Bill Rhinehart, Hagerstown.

Second base -- Matthew Cusick, Lexington.

Third base -- Bobby Spain, Hickory.

Shortstop -- Jose De Los Santos, Hickory.

Right field -- Michael Burgess, Hagerstown.

Center field -- Lee Haydel, West Virginia.

Left field -- Michael Taylor, Lakewood.

Designated hitter -- Michael Durant, Lakewood.

Utility infielders -- Miles Durham, Hickory; Zelous Wheeler, West Virginia.

Utility outfielders -- Roman Pena, Lake County; Joseph Nowicki, Delmarva.

 

Southern Division

Manager -- Joe Mikulik, Asheville.

Coaches -- Torre Tyson, Charleston (S.C.); Andy Skeels, Augusta; Kevin Boles, Greenville;

Doug Linton, Asheville.

Trainer -- Chris McKenna, Kannapolis.

Pitchers -- Jhoulys Chacin, Asheville; Joey Williamson, Asheville; Randall Taylor, Asheville; Daniel Otero, Augusta; Daryl Maday, Augusta; Madison Bumgarner, Augusta; Jason Stephens, Charleston; Jonathan Ortiz, Charleston; Alexander Cobb, Columbus; Felix Doubront, Greenville; Henry Mabee, Kannapolis.

Catchers -- Jesus Montero (starter), Charleston; Luis Exposito, Greenville; Francisco Pena, Savannah.

First base -- Michael Jones, Greenville.

Second base -- Everth Cabrera, Asheville.

Third base -- Darin Holcomb, Asheville.

Shortstop -- Yamaico Navarro, Greenville.

Right field -- Jason Heyward, Rome.

Center field -- Michael Mitchell, Asheville.

Left field -- Brian Rike, Asheville.

Designated hitter -- Jordan Abruzzo, Savannah.

Utility infielder -- Justin Snyder, Charleston; Frederick Freeman, Rome.

Utility outfielder -- Maiko Loyola, Columbus; Emeel Salem, Columbus.

[Mass Haas]

It's much tougher to be a South Atlantic League All-Star than it is in the Florida State or Southern Leagues based on the number of teams, so this is indeed a nice report. Excellent to see Rivas and Wheeler recognized for their efforts, Lucroy was an automatic, and the vote giving Haydel a spot, a starting one yet, is very promising.

 

Congratulations to the guys...

[Mass Haas]

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Shortstop Cline's demotion provides needed jolt to Power

West virginia opens seven-game homestand to end SAL first-half season

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

According to his manager and teammates, Matt Cline has provided the West Virginia Power with a spark.

 

An inferno is more like it.

 

The Power is 8-3 since May 27, the day Cline swapped roster spots with fellow shortstop Brent Brewer.

 

Cline hit .266 with one triple, five doubles, eight RBI, 15 runs and 25 hits in 32 games with the high Class A Brevard County Manatees. He also made 11 errors during that stretch.

 

"When they sent me down here, they told me I did great up there," Cline said of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Power's parent club.

 

"They said they just needed to make a change. The change is working out for the team and for me. We got some more wins, and I got some more playing time."

Cline is hitting .353 with one home run, five RBI and 10 runs in 10 games.

 

"I just go up there and try to get on base any way I can so the guys behind me can get some RBIs and I can score some runs," he said.

 

Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Cline's contributions is SAL All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who bats third in the Power's lineup.

 

Cline sets up Lucroy not only by getting on base but also by advancing leadoff hitter and second baseman Eric Farris when he gets on base.

 

"I love having him in front of me," Lucroy said of Cline, a 22-year-old Long Beach State product whom the Brewers picked in the 22nd round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.

 

"He's a real consistent hitter. Pitchers can't pitch around me. They have to give me good pitches to hit. It really makes my job easier."

 

"He just goes about his business in the (No.) 2 hole," Power Manager Jeff Isom added.

 

Cline is one of 21 players on the Power's 27-man roster who played for Isom at rookie league HHelena (Mont.) last season. Helena hit .291 as a team during the regular season and lost in the first round of the Pioneer League playoffs.

 

Cline said it is no coincidence West Virginia began winning when he arrived to Charleston.

 

"I think it's just the chemistry we have," Cline said. "I played with all of these guys last year. We all have fun together. We all joke around.

 

"I think that's what they were missing before I got here. I don't know that for sure because I wasn't here. But I feel like when I got here, the team started getting loose and having fun. It was like a puzzle that was missing a piece. I don't want to sound too self-centered, but I think I was that missing piece."

 

Reuniting Cline and Farris has bolstered West Virginia's defense up the middle.

 

"He came in and gave us a good, solid, defensive shortstop," Lucroy said. "He knows how to play the game the right way. He isn't flashy. He isn't out there trying to be big league. He just goes out there and tries to get the job done. When he is our shortstop, everybody knows he is going to give 110 percent."

[TheCrew07]

"He came in and gave us a good, solid, defensive shortstop," Lucroy said. "He knows how to play the game the right way. He isn't flashy. He isn't out there trying to be big league. He just goes out there and tries to get the job done. When he is our shortstop, everybody knows he is going to give 110 percent."

This is the 3rd or 4th quote from WV now that indirectly takes a shot at Brewer. I know he didn't play well, but was he a bad teammate? I thought the move was made to help Brewer with confidence, but maybe something else was going on. I'm not big on conspiracy theories but a promotion that wasn't really earned and now the quotes the last 2 weeks leave me wondering what exactly was happening with that team.

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Press Release:

 

CODY NAMED SAL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

 

Charleston, WV (June 9, 2008) - The West Virginia Power went 4-3 during the first week of June, winning two of those games with left hander Chris Cody as the starting pitcher and Cody was rewarded with the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week award.

 

Cody, who was sent to West Virginia from Brevard County back on May 20th, has been sensational over the last few weeks with West Virginia. During the first week of June, he went 1-0, tallying 15 innings over two starts while allowing just one earned run on six hits with 15 strikeouts.

 

Cody made his first appearance with the Power in Lake County back on May 22nd. He tossed five scoreless innings of relief, holding the Captains to just three hits and fanned eight batters to get the victory. On the season, Cody is 2-0 with a 1.08 earned run average over four appearances, including three starts.

 

The 24-year old from Brewster, New York was acquired by the Brewers from Detroit in a trade for Jose Capellan last season. He is the first Power player to earn a South Atlantic League Player of the Week honor this season.

[Mass Haas]

Video News Report from West Virginia on Jonathan Lucroy

Click on this link, then click "Watch Story Video"

[Mass Haas]

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Power's Haydel makes most of his speed

by Michael Dailey

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

Of the five tools in which baseball players are graded, speed is by far the most precious commodity.

 

With hard work a player can drastically improve his defensive skills, his batting average, his batting power and his throwing arm, but speed is the one skill that can't be taught.

 

That's what makes it such a coveted asset, and that's what makes West Virginia Power center fielder Lee Haydel a top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system.

 

Blessed with an abundance of speed, Haydel has quickly risen from a 19th-round draft pick in the 2006 Major League draft, to the second-highest rated center fielder in the Brewers' organization.

 

"There's no question that speed is his biggest tool," said Power Manager Jeff Isom. "He's trying to learn the game a little bit and trying to learn to use his speed to his advantage. Everything he's doing right now offensively is geared toward his speed."

 

Haydel, who's been timed in the 60-yard dash in a blazing 6.35 seconds, realizes that his speed may one day help punch his ticket to the Major Leagues, but only if he solidifies the other nuances of the game that make his speed an even greater asset.

 

"I need to be more disciplined at the plate," said Haydel, who went 3-for-4, including a triple and two runs scored in the Power's 7-0 win over Kannapolis on Wednesday evening. "I need to let the ball come to me, pick out the pitches that I need to hit, and try to draw more walks.

 

"They (the Brewers) want me to hit the ball on the ground. I can't hit the ball in the air, especially since I'm still developing my power. A ball hit in the air is no good. With speed, I have a chance to beat out a ball on the ground, or maybe the fielder will bobble the ball knowing it's going to be a close play."

 

Isom, who managed Haydel in Helena last season, can see a marked improvement in the speedster's play this season, but also sees plenty of room for improvement.

 

"He just has to learn to take advantage of his strength, which is speed," said Isom. "He needs to hit the ball on the ground, run balls out and he'll get base hits out of it. He needs to do things like show bunt, try to get the third baseman in, and then slap line drives past him. If he learns to do little things like that, he can be a heck of a ball player.

 

"The one thing you can't teach is speed. You can try to improve your speed, but if you're not fast, you're not ever going to be fast.

 

"He's got something special and that sets him apart from other players. If we can teach him the little details involved with playing baseball, like base running, like getting better jumps in the outfield, and being more selective at the plate, he can be a special player."

 

Haydel, who was named to the South Atlantic League's Northern Division All-Star team last week, saw his batting average climb from .273 to .281 with his three-hit evening.

[Mass Haas]

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West Virginia's Wilson maximizing his power

by Michael Dailey

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Steffan Wilson is just 111 games into his professional baseball career, but he already has developed a reputation as a long-ball threat every time he steps into the batter's box.

 

Well, actually every 17 times he steps to the plate.

 

Wilson, a 28th-round pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, pounded a team-best 12 home runs in 183 rookie league at-bats in Helena (Mont.) last season.

 

Now a member of the West Virginia Power, Wilson has a team-high 11 round-trippers in just 212 at-bats, placing him third in the South Atlantic League for home runs this season.

 

"He gets good extension and hits the ball out in front of the plate," Power hitting coach Jim Lett said of Wilson's knack for the long ball. "He still needs to be a little more disciplined and try to get better pitches to hit, but I think that hitting for power is going to be his forte.

 

"He'll probably continue to hit home runs as he progresses up the minor league chain. He hit his homers (12) in around 50 games last season, so he's on about the same pace as he was last year. If he can keep it going, he could hit 20 this year."

 

Power Manager Jeff Isom, who coached Wilson in Helena last season, also believes Wilson's power will help him climb the minor league ladder.

 

"His ability to hit for power and for average is going to carry him to the next level," Isom said. "He's not a bad infielder and he's not a bad outfielder, but he's not a Gold Glove-type of guy. It's his bat that's going to help him move along.

 

"It's just a matter of him having quality at-bats all night and every night instead of every once in a while. Consistency is the biggest thing he needs to work on."

 

Wilson, whose batting average has dropped from .328 last season to just .255 through 66 games this season, isn't sure where his penchant for the long ball comes from, but he would trade a few home runs to see his average climb.

 

"The big thing that helps me, and I don't know if it's something that I've always had or just something that has evolved with my swing, is good backspin on the ball," said Wilson, who went 1-for-4 in a 3-1 loss to visiting Greensboro (N.C.) on Thursday evening. "That helps the ball carry a lot better. I'd guess my power comes from hitting the ball with backspin. Other than that, it's really unexplainable.

 

"Hitting with power has always been a part of my game, but it's never been the focus of my game. I'm a little frustrated that my average isn't where I want it to be right now. The numbers are decent, but I've always had a good balance with power and average and I'd like to get back there. I'm just a work in progress, I guess."

 

Right now, as is the case with most minor leaguers, developing consistency at the plate is Wilson's biggest challenge.

 

"The big thing for all of us is consistency," Wilson said. "As the season progresses and you move through the summer, you've got to make the right adjustments at the plate.

 

"Coming up with a swing that I can replicate everyday is what I'm striving for. I've made a lot of changes from spring training to this point in the season and I'm still not able to do the exact same thing every time.

 

"That's what separates a lot of the levels. The guys in Triple-A and in the Big Leagues can have the same swing everyday and be successful with it, whereas a lot of us are still trying to perfect our swing and become more consistent."

 

One thing that helps separate Wilson from other baseball prospects is his ability to play more than one position. So far this season, he has played 33 games at third base, 18 games at first base and two games in the outfield.

 

"He's the type of guy that his bat is going to take him as far as he goes," Isom said. "But because he's got the ability to play multiple positions, he'll have more value as he moves up.

 

"He's a guy that you just try to find a position for because he's going to hit for power, he can hit for average and he can drive in some runs. He's a pretty multi-dimensional player that's great to have on the club."

 

Two photos in a Steffan Wilson gallery via the Charleston Daily Mail

[Mass Haas]

Charleston Gazette:

Lucroy in Sally HR derby

West Virginia Power catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who leads the team with a .310 batting average, is scheduled to serve two roles at Tuesday's South Atlantic League All-Star Game in Greensboro.

In addition to starting the game as the Northern Division catcher, Lucroy will be one of seven players competing in the pregame home run derby. Lucroy, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Friday, has 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in 65 games.

The 49th annual SAL All-Star Game is set for 7:00 PM Tuesday (6:00 Central) at 7,499-seat NewBridge Bank Park, which opened in 2005 in downtown Greensboro. It will match players from the Northern and Southern divisions.

The Power's Lee Haydel will start the game in center field, Zelous Wheeler will be a utility player and Amaury Rivas will be part of the pitching staff. Haydel is hitting .282 with 23 stolen bases. Wheeler is hitting .289 with six homers and 42 RBIs. Rivas is 6-2 and a 2.89 earned run average.

[Mass Haas]

Click here for your box score, game log, and audio link -- 6:00 Central Time Tuesday the 17th.

 

South Atlantic League All-Star Game with Jonathan Lucroy, Lee Haydel, Zelous Wheeler and Amaury Rivas

[Mass Haas]

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Power's Wheeler earned his break

Do-it-all star ready for SAL All-Star Game

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

Except for a four-hour road trip to the site of this year's South Atlantic League All-Star Game, Zelous Wheeler got a much-needed and well-deserved day off Monday.

 

The West Virginia Power played 69 games in the first half, and Wheeler was the only player to appear in all of them, starting in all but one.

 

Power Manager Jeff Isom had planned to rest Wheeler that day but inserted him midway through the game.

 

"His energy," Isom said when asked why he couldn't keep Wheeler out of the Power lineup.

 

Isom said Wheeler is one of the team's most valuable players because he is one of its most versatile. Wheeler played four positions (third base, shortstop, second base and left field) and batted in six spots (Nos. 2-7) during the first half.

 

"He's an above-average defensive player anywhere we put him," Isom said of Wheeler, 21, whom the Milwaukee Brewers selected in the 19th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. "When you're that versatile, you're going to be out there on the field.

 

"And with what he can do with the bat, we need him in the lineup. He has been hovering around .300 all season. He has been stealing some bags, too.

 

"He's a very valuable guy for us offensively and defensively."

 

Wheeler, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound utility infielder, is on the Northern Division roster for tonight's SAL All-Star Game at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

Three of his teammates -- center fielder Lee Haydel, catcher Jonathan Lucroy and pitcher Amaury Rivas -- also made the low Class A circuit's all-star team.

 

"It's a blessing for me," said Wheeler, who is from Sylacauga, Ala. "I'm going to have fun. If I don't get to play that much, I'm going to try to have fun in the dugout and do anything else I can to enjoy the time."

 

Wheeler led the Power (32-37) in doubles (17), walks (32) and RBI (44) during the first half. He ranked second in batting average (.303), second in on-base percentage (.385), second in runs (39), third in hits (73), third in stolen bases (10), third in home runs (six) and fourth in slugging percentage (.448).

 

Wheeler hit .311 with runners on base, .333 with runners in scoring position and .375 with the bases loaded, proving to be a reliable player in clutch situations.

 

He also struggled with strikeouts (58) and errors (10), ranking second in both of those categories.

 

But the positives far outweighed the negatives in the first half of his first full season in professional baseball, which is why Wheeler has a good chance of challenging former West Virginia outfielder Chuckie Caufield for the title of Mr. Durability in the Brewers' farm system.

 

Caufield played in the Power's first 86 games last year before taking the first of his four days off. He played in 132 of West Virginia's 136 games last season.

 

"Sometimes, it's hard to play every day," said Wheeler, who led Wallace State (Ala.) Community College to the 2006 Junior College World Series. "If I get a break, I'll take advantage of it. If I don't, I'll just go out there and stay in shape and play hard every day."

 

Wheeler is honored that Isom thinks so highly of him and wants him in the Power lineup each game.

 

"It's kind of a good thing, you know," said Wheeler, who hit .300 with two triples, three homers, eight doubles, 23 RBI, 25 walks, 36 runs, 41 strikeouts and 57 hits in 59 games under the Isom-managed Helena (Mont.) Brewers in the rookie Pioneer League last season. "He can do whatever he wants to do with me. I'm happy with (his decision)."

 

Wheeler has reached base in 16 consecutive games and will try to extend his streak Thursday night, when West Virginia will begin the second half with the first of a five-game road series against Kannapolis (N.C.) at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium.

[Mass Haas]

Zelous Wheeler is having a heck of an All-Star Game -- walk, two-run home run, single, all while playing shortstop.

 

He may not win MVP, as there are other candidates (his North Team leads, 9-4, in the 7th), but that's great for the kid.

[molitor fan]

I just got back from the game, as I was in the area to interview for a job, and Wheeler actually missed a 2nd homer by inches, in almost the same spot as the first - an opposite field shot right down the right field line...he also made 2 nice plays at short, though he made one brutal baserunning blunder. Rivas was sitting at 90, and gave up a run on a bloop. LaCroy lined a bullet to the pitcher, and looked good behind the plate. It was nice to see Lee Haydal get the start...he has blinding speed. I also got to meet them all before the game as every player was in a meet and greet/autograph line. The Greensboro stadium is the nicest minor league stadium I have been to, and that includes some AA and AAA parks.

[Mass Haas]

That's an awesome night out, molitor fan, thanks for the update. Folks can click on the link above for the box score and game log. We may get some quotes from the Power kids in the AM if either Charleston paper is able to reach them in Greensboro.

[Mass Haas]

Charleston Gazette:

Power's Wheeler homers in all-star win

GREENSBORO, N.C. - West Virginia Power shortstop Zelous Wheeler went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs as the North All-Stars pounded the South 13-4 in the South Atlantic League All-Star game Tuesday.

 

Wheeler, who entered the game in the third inning, hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, which scored Power teammate Lee Haydel. Haydel, the Power center fielder, went 1-for-3 and scored twice. He singled in the fourth and came home on a Matt Cusick single.

 

The North rolled up 18 hits and led from the third inning.

 

Power starting pitcher Amuary Rivas appeared in the seventh inning, allowing two hits, a run and striking out one.

 

Power catcher Jonathan Lucroy started for the North and went 0-for-2.

 

Lake County pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz picked up the win for the North. Columbus pitcher Alexander Cobb was tagged with the loss.

 

Hagerstown first baseman Bill Rhinehart went 3-for-3 for the South, including a two-run home run in the first inning.

 

The Power returns to regular-season play to start the second half Thursday at Kannapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 (6:05 Central).

 

The Power's next home game is June 26 against the Lexington Legends.

[Mass Haas]

Jacob Messer of the Charleston Daily Mail does a fantastic job as usual --

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Wheeler, Haydel shine at SAL All-Star Game

North defeats South 13-4

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

As the first half of the South Atlantic League season came to a close last week, no West Virginia Power hitters were hotter than Zelous Wheeler and Lee Haydel.

 

Wheeler and Haydel each hit .400 (16-for-40) in their last 10 games. Wheeler had six runs and eight RBI during that stretch, while Haydel had three RBI and eight runs.

 

The duo maintained that momentum in the SAL All-Star Game, combining for three hits and accounting for five runs Tuesday night in the North's 13-4 win over the South in front of a crowd of 8,367 fans at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

 

Wheeler was 2-for-3 with one walk, two runs and two RBI after replacing Hickory (N.C.) shortstop Jose De Los Santos in the top of the third inning. Haydel started in center field and was 1-for-3 with two runs.

 

With Haydel on first base after a South error, Wheeler hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning.

 

"We were just having fun," Wheeler said in a telephone interview after the game. "There was a nice crowd. I just came out and performed for the crowd. I did the best I can do and I had a great night."

 

"I was fortunate enough to be picked for the all-star game, and I just came out and had fun and played hard because it was an honor to be there," Haydel added. "I appreciated the opportunity.

 

"I had a good game, and Zelous had a great game. It felt good for West Virginia to represent the (North) all-star team."

 

Hagerstown (Md.) first baseman Bill Rhinehart edged Wheeler to earn Most Valuable Player honors for the North. Rhinehart was 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in the first.

 

Wheeler and Haydel will try to continue their hot hitting at 7:05 (6:05 Central) Thursday night, when West Virginia is scheduled to begin the second half of the SAL season with the first of a five-game road series against Kannapolis (N.C.) at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium.

 

SAL teams are off today.

 

"We definitely want to do that," Haydel said. "Definitely, definitely, definitely. Me and him both finished pretty hot in the first half. We're looking to carry it over into the second half."

 

Power pitcher Amaury Rivas didn't fare quite as well as his teammates. Neither did former Power catcher Jonathan Lucroy, whom the Milwaukee Brewers promoted this week.

 

Rivas allowed one run on two hits in one inning with one strikeout and no walks.

 

Lucroy, who was expected to report to high Class A Brevard County (Fla.) today, was 0-for-2 with one strikeout. He lined out sharply to Augusta (Ga.) pitcher Madison Bumgarner in his other at-bat.

 

Lucroy also was one of seven players to participate in the home run derby, won by Hagerstown right fielder Michael Burgess.

 

Burgess beat Charleston (S.C.) catcher Jesus Montero, 2-1, in the final round. Burgess hit 16 home runs in three rounds. Montero had 11. Lucroy's total wasn't available.

 

* * *

 

WEST VIRGINIA will host the 50th annual SAL All-Star Game at Appalachian Power Park next year.

 

The Charleston franchise has been a member of the low Class A circuit for 21 years, but the Capital City has hosted the SAL All-Star Game only once. That was in 1989, when the North defeated the South, 14-4, at Watt Powell Park in front of a crowd of 7,318 -- the third-largest crowd in SAL All-Star Game history, dating to 1960.

 

* * *

 

SAL OFFICIALS inducted the Class of 2008 into the league's hall of fame Tuesday afternoon.

 

The class consisted of three players (Buddy Bell, Vince Coleman and Matt Winters) along with one executive (Bing Devine) and one umpire (Johnnie McKenzie Shives).

 

* * *

 

A PAIR of former Major League All-Stars served as honorary managers Tuesday night.

 

Andre Dawson, an outfielder who spent most of his career with the Montreal Expos, was in the South dugout. Tony Perez, a first baseman who spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, was in the North dugout.

 

Dawson and Perez now work as special assistants to the president for the Florida Marlins, whose organization is the parent club of the host Greensboro Grasshoppers.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

No Bull: Barch like the Power players -- he wants to move up

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

West Virginia Power radio broadcaster Andy Barch isn't much different than the minor league baseball players whose games he calls.

 

Well, there is his self-described lack of athleticism.

 

"I have two brothers -- one older and one younger -- and both of them are super athletes," Barch said recently before one of his broadcasts from the Appalachian Power Park press box. "The athletic genes in my family skipped over me.

 

"That's the reason I talk about this and don't play this."

 

Barch grew up listening to WKNR (850 AM) in his hometown of Cleveland.

 

"When I was 5 years old," he said, "I figured out this is what I wanted to do."

 

Barch and West Virginia will begin the second half of the South Atlantic League season tonight with the first of a five-game series against Kannapolis (N.C.) at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium.

 

Barch and the Power players share a common goal: They all want to make it to the Major Leagues.

 

"In baseball, you want to be able to climb that ladder," said Barch, a Bowling Green State University graduate who got his first on-air experience at 17.

 

"The higher you go in this game, the nicer the hotels are, the more money you get, the bigger the stars and all of that good stuff. You get more luxuries as you climb that ladder. That's not to say I don't have luxuries here because I do.

 

"You're trying to reach the pinnacle of your profession."

 

His situation, however, isn't as pressure-packed as theirs.

 

"A lot of these guys go at-bat to at-bat," said Barch, whose nickname is "Bull" because of his resemblance to Richard Moll's tall, bald character of the same name from "Night Court," a popular television comedy that aired from 1984-92.

 

"I have 54 at-bats a game. If I screw up, I have 30 seconds to redeem myself. I can't sit here and say I understand the pressure these guys are going through because mine pales in comparison to theirs."

 

The 27-year-old Barch has a strong rapport with the players because his relatively young age helps him relate to them.

 

"I do a good job of meshing with these guys," said Barch, who also handles media relations for the Power. "Now, my time is running out. I'm not going to be able to relate to them forever."

 

This is his sixth season in minor league baseball, including his fifth with Charleston's Class A club.

 

Barch was the radio broadcaster and media relations director for the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers of the New York Penn League in 2003.

 

"They were looking for a radio announcer and I was looking for an internship," said Barch, who had an inside connection - he is friends with the general manager's brother. "It was a perfect match.

 

"The GM there knew (Palisades Baseball Executive Vice President Andy) Milovich. When the job opened up here in 2004, I called Andy and the rest is history."

 

Barch doesn't know when he will leave the Power.

 

"I don't have a crystal ball," said Barch, who eventually wants to return to Cleveland or the surrounding area to be closer to his friends and relatives. "So, I can't answer that question.

 

"It has become tougher and tougher to move up in baseball. A lot of the guys who get Double-A and Triple-A jobs don't move. They are waiting for their call-up to the Big Leagues.

 

"I'm comfortable here because I'm close enough to go back there when I want to or need to. And it's a good situation here. I have been here a while and developed a reputation. It has worked out well for me.

 

"When you're working at this level of baseball, it's still baseball. You're still calling the same sport. As far as that goes, I don't mind doing what I do here."

 

Barch prefers football over baseball. He and some buddies run www.pigskinpodcast.com.

 

"I can talk about football all day long," said Barch, whose favorite NFL team surprisingly is the Green Bay Packers instead of the Cleveland Browns. "That's probably my favorite thing to do as far as broadcasting.

 

"But baseball is different. Baseball is a lot of fun because baseball personalities are a lot of fun to be around. You're around these guys every day. When you get to know them on a personal level, it's a lot more fun to follow them as they climb that professional ladder.

 

"In some ways, baseball kind of is a talk show. You have to be a good storyteller. When you're describing the action, as long as you don't get too far away from the field, you can still carry on a discussion and make the broadcast somewhat conversational."

 

Barch is striving for longevity more than anything else.

 

"Right now, baseball is a lot of fun," said Barch, whose broadcasts can be heard live on the Internet at www.milb.com. "If I don't ever get the call to the big leagues, well, there are a lot of guys who don't get the call to the big leagues.

 

"If I can stay in the business in some way, shape or form, whether it's doing a talk show or sports update or something like that, then that's what I'm going for.

Being a success in radio ... that's the ultimate goal.

 

"Whether it's as a Marty Brennaman or a Jim Rome, you're trying to get to a point where everybody is listening to you."

[wvpowerblkwel]

Great article about a great guy. I'm a guy that grew up listening to Marty and Joe, and for some strange reason, I have really enjoyed listening to Bull call the road games for the Power. I am as "relaxed and interested" listening as I was as a kid with Marty an Joe. It's hard for me to explain, but when you listen to a guy call a game, you have three degrees, love em, hate em or tolerate em....I rarely keep the radio on long for the last two. Keep up the good work Bull, I'd love to see you "move up", but stay in the Brewers Org so I can hear you call my guys! Jacob Messer is quickly becoming my favorite local writer also! Kudos for your work with the Power this year. I have often thought over the last 2 years, that you are the only local tv/news guy that has any business even talking about the Power! Thanks to both you guys!

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Power's Rindal hunting, fishing for base hits, too

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, West Virginia Power first baseman Curt Rindal became an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing as often as possible.

 

Patience plays a pivotal part in both of those pastimes. The person waits on the animal or fish, not vice versa. And even then, there is no guarantee the person will bag a buck or catch a carp.

 

Lessons learned in the woods and on the lake have helped Rindal on the baseball field, particularly at the plate.

 

"Whether I'm hunting or fishing or playing baseball, I can't control what will happen out there," said Rindal, who is from Mount Vernon, Wash. "I can prepare and I can do my best to follow that plan, but I can't change the outcome.

 

"It doesn't help to get frustrated. An 0-for day hurts and it ain't pretty, but it won't keep me from playing baseball or hunting or fishing."

 

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Rindal has needed an outlook like that this year.

 

His batting average didn't top the .200 mark until April 22, 19 games into the South Atlantic League season. It stayed between .204 and .221 through May 31, twice dipping below .200 at .194 and .198.

 

However, he has hit .313 in June compared to .228 in April and .214 in May to raise his batting average to .249 -- an increase of 28 percentage points in 18 games.

 

"I think it had to do with me coming in here and expecting a lot," said Rindal, a 24-year-old University of Washington product whom the Milwaukee Brewers selected in the 35th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.

 

"All of a sudden, I'm hitting balls hard, but they aren't falling. When your batting average isn't where you want it, it hurts your confidence. I know I'm capable of hitting. So, I stopped looking at it like, 'I'm 0-for-8 in my last three games.' Instead of three games, I look at it as one at-bat.

 

"Now, every time I step up to the plate, I have a plan and a better approach. I'm definitely getting my swing off the way I want no matter what the outcome is. I'm not letting it bother me if I don't get a hit as long as I get a good swing and get the pitch I want. You can forget about it easier if you did what you were trying to do."

 

Rindal has one triple, four home runs, 12 doubles, 23 runs and 25 RBI in 62 games.

 

"For the most part," he said, "I feel like I'm in a groove right now."

 

Teammate and roommate Steffan Wilson said Rindal preaches what he practices.

 

"He's a positive influence when you're down on yourself," Wilson said. "He will tell you, 'There are so many more games and so many more at-bats left this season. What you did today doesn't matter.' He's good about pointing out the positive things that you did that day."

 

"And he leaves everything at the clubhouse or in the dugout. He doesn't bring it home with him. This game can get the best of anybody for a split second. Everybody tries to pick each other up. He's very steady and very level."

 

The Power will have an off day Wednesday, and Rindal wouldn't mind spending it on one of the Mountain State's beautiful lakes.

 

"When I heard I was coming here, it definitely crossed my mind that this was a good place to go fishing," said Rindal, who used his signing bonus to buy a top-of-the-line shotgun for duck hunting. "I have been wanting to go since I got here, but I haven't had a chance. One of these days I plan to head out somewhere and go fishing."

[Mass Haas]

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A rotation at catcher seems to suit Power

West Virginia takes South Atlantic League divisional lead with win

by Michael Dailey

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

For much of this season, penciling in a starting catcher wasn't among West Virginia Power Manager Jeff Isom's most difficult decisions.

 

More often than not, Isom tabbed Jonathan Lucroy as his starter.

 

And Lucroy didn't disappoint while batting .310 with 10 homers and 33 RBI in 65 games, with a South Atlantic League All-Star selection along the way.

 

However, on June 19, filling out the lineup card became a little more challenging for Isom as Lucroy was promoted to the Milwaukee Brewers' High Class A club in the Florida State League.

 

Now instead of one central figure behind the plate, the Power will rely on the trio of Uly Snijders, Anderson De La Rosa and Eric Fryer to handle the pitching staff during what, at least early on, appears to be a promising second half of the season.

 

West Virginia currently sits atop the SALNorthern Division standings with a 9-4 record following a 4-3 win Tuesday night over Greensboro (N.C.) in front of 2,412 fans at Appalachian Power Park. It was the Power's fifth straight win.

 

Greensboro dropped to 5-8 with the loss.

 

"It's going to be kind of a three-headed monster, if you will," Isom said of the Power's catching situation. "But for the majority of the games and repetitions, it's going to be Uly and De La Rosa. Those are two guys that they (Brewers) want to see catch.

 

"What we plan on doing the remainder of the year is having them (Snijders and De La Rosa) go two (games) on and two off."

 

For Snijders, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound Curacao native, Lucroy's departure was bittersweet in that he lost a friend but gained valuable playing time behind the plate.

 

"The more you play, the better you'll get," said Snijders, who went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's win. "Lucroy is a good catcher and an awesome guy, but now he's gone and that gives me more opportunity to play. I just want to go out and play, do my job and do what they (Brewers) want me to do. Right now I feel pretty good about the way things are going.

 

"I'm getting more comfortable at the plate. I wasn't playing as much before and it's hard to get a rhythm when you're playing one out of five games. Now I'm more relaxed and I'm just trying to do my job."

 

De La Rosa, who came to West Virginia when Lucroy was promoted, will provide Isom with a more athletic option behind the plate.

 

"De La Rosa is more of an athlete than Uly is," Isom said. "Uly's a power type guy, while De La Rosa is a little like Jonathan Lucroy. He can run a little bit and he can play multiple positions. He can play corner infield and he can play corner outfield. He'll be in there some playing multiple positions.

 

"De La Rosa's been around the organization for a while and he's never had a starting spot. He's always been kind of an extra or third catcher. This is an opportunity for the organization to see what he's capable of doing.

 

"And Uly's in the same boat. He's a young kid that offers a lot with the bat. He's a power-hitting type of guy and the organization wants to see what they have in him. This is just a good opportunity for the organization to see what both guys are capable of doing."

 

Fryer has just five appearances behind the plate this season, but he has settled in nicely in left field and as a designated hitter.

 

In 48 games, Fryer is batting .325 with 6 homers and 23 RBI, including a two-run blast Tuesday evening.

 

Fryer's fourth-inning homer tied the game at two apiece in the bottom of the fourth inning, before Lee Hayel's sacrifice fly gave the Power a 3-2 lead later in the same frame.

 

After the Grasshoppers knotted the game at three in the fifth, West Virginia plated the game's final run with two outs in the eighth, when Curt Rindal was plunked by Greensboro reliever A.J. Battisto (5-1) with the bases loaded.

 

Power pitcher Reed Dickert (1-2) earned his first win of the season with three innings of one-hit relief, while Corey Frerichs recorded his sixth save after working a scoreless ninth inning.

[Mass Haas]

The link includes a nice audio package from Andy "Bull" Barch with Eric Fryer's five base hits Sunday --

Power's Fryer cooks up six RBIs

By Daren Smith / MLB.com

Eric Fryer made a big adjustment earlier this season when he shifted from catcher, the position he's played most of his life, to left field. For most of the last month, South Atlantic League pitchers have been trying to adjust to Fryer.

The former 10th-round draft pick went 5-for-5 with a career-high six RBIs on Sunday to lead a 14-hit attack as the West Virginia Power pounded the Hagerstown Suns, 16-1, at Appalachian Power Park.

"I never had the combination," Fryer said. "I had five hits before at Ohio State and I've had [six] RBIs in the Cape Cod League, but the combination is pretty new to me."

Fryer doubled in each of his first three plate appearances, clearing the bases to cap a five-run second inning and driving in two more in a six-run third. He singled home Eric Farris and scored in the fifth, then capped his perfect evening with another base hit in the seventh.

"I just got a couple of hits early and it kept rolling for me," Fryer said. "A couple weren't maybe the strongest [hits], I had a little dink here and there."

Dinks have been the exception for the Ohio native, who is hitting .507 (36-for-71) over his last 20 games.

"I take the same approach every day, the same number of swings in batting practice," Fryer said. "When I get in the game, I'm not thinking about much, just trying to put the ball in play. I'm not a big power threat, but I've been finding holes, finding the gaps."

Fryer has raised his batting average from .269 on June 12 to a South Atlantic League-leading .363. Asked if he made any changes before embarking on his current tear, he said, "Nothing in particular."

"Since I've been here, I've stayed with the same approach. [before] I was a little down, nothing too spectacular. But I'm seeing the ball well and not missing pitches."

Fryer's biggest adjustment came at the beginning of the season, when the Brewers organization moved him out from behind the plate to left field.

"That was a transition period," he said. "As far as hitting, the transition was just staying within yourself and just doing what you can. When you do catch, the first thing you learn is whatever happens at the plate, let it go. So I just put it behind me."

Eric Fryer was drafted as a catcher but moved to left field at the start of the season. (Photo Courtesy of the West Virginia Power)

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