Frank Finn Invitational Tryout
Due to a family matter, I was not able to attend today’s Frank Finn Invitational Tryout. My son did go and he had a couple things to report.
I’m sure there were a few contract offers today, but the only signing he witnessed was when Bourne’s head coach, Harvey Shapiro, offered a contract to Rollins College second baseman Josh Band just minutes after Band hit a homerun during the scrimmage. Band is from Peabody, MA. and just completed his freshman year at Rollins.
The other bit of news is that apparently the Brewster Whitecaps previously signed University of San Diego sophomore pitcher Kyle Blair to a temp. contract. Blair played for Chatham last summer. He should be a good addition to the Brewster rotation. This spring he was 8-4 with a 3.86 ERA. Opponents only batted .221 against Blair and he struck out 99 in 74.2 innings. Blair appeared in 4 games for Chatham last summer but only threw 10.2 innings. He was 1-1; 4.22. Word is, he will be offered a permanent contract as soon as a roster spot opens, as it inevitably will.
In looking at the list of players who were invited, as usual most of them were from smaller schools in the New England and New York area. Schools like Dean College, Babson, Curry, Mass. Maritime and Stonehill were represented along with a few larger schools such as Michigan State, Ohio State and Maryland. 27 pitchers were invited. There were 6 catchers, 17 corner infielders, 12 middle infielders and 22 outfielders.
A couple of familiar baseball names were on the list of invitees. Charlie Pagliarulo is a junior second baseman from Bentley University who batted .330 this spring. His uncle, Mike, played eleven years in the majors, most notably with the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.
Matt Gedman, a junior second baseman/shortstop batted .345 at UMass this year. Gedman’s dad, Rich, played parts of eleven seasons with the Boston Red Sox and had a short stint with the Houston Astros before ending his thirteen year career in 1992 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Just saw on Gatemen site where they signed a pitcher from St. John’s. (Bruce Kern)
The stats for Kyle Blair are actually inaccurate.
The stats you have presented were his freshman year stats in 2008.
His numbrts were even more impressive this year; unfortunately, he missed almost half of USD’s 2009 season with a minor injury.
Go Whitecaps!
You’re right, Jerry. Thank-you for pointing that out.
This spring, Blair was 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA. Opposing batters hit .225 off him and he struck out 62 while issuing 18 walks and hitting 10 batters in 54.2 innings. He appeared in 10 games, starting 8 and picking up saves in two others.
Where could I find a full list of the invitees?