The Quad Cities River Bandits made a historical hire, naming Stefanie Brown as their new general manager. Brown becomes only the fourth female GM in the 65 year history of the Midwest League and at Age 28 becomes the youngest general manager in full season minor league baseball. Brown has worked for the River Bandits, the St Louis Cardinals Low-A affiliate, since 2007. In the story Brown talks about taking the franchise over, her love of Iowa, and looking forward to adding to the fan experience going forward.
Bandits hire first female GM in franchise history — QCTimes.com
The Washington Nationals have traded journeyman pitcher Jason Marquis to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Zach Walters. The 21 year old third baseman is in the middle of a very solid season for Low-A South Bend. Walters is hitting .302 with 27 Doubles, 6 Triples, 9 Home Runs, 56RBI’s and has 12 stolen bases on the year. The biggest knock on 6’2″ switch hitter may be his plate discipline as he’s struck out 96 times in 361 at-bats. Walters made his pro debut last season at Yakima of the Northwest League where he hit .302 in 69 games. He was a ninth round pick of the Diamondbacks in the 2010 draft out of the University of San Diego.
Very good read on current Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Derek Dietrich. The Rays 2010 second round pick out of Georgia Tech is in the middle of a Midwest League All Star season for the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Dietrich is currently batting .287 with with 21 Doubles, 14 Home Runs, and 55 RBI’s. In the story Dietrich talks about growing up playing baseball in Cleveland, his decision to go to Georgia Tech instead of signing with the Houston Astros who drafted him in the third round out of high school, and being ready for his next step as a pro.
St. Ignatius High School graduate on track for the big leagues Cleveland.com
Former New York Mets and Detroit Tigers catcher Vance Wilson is looking to eventually join the long list of former big league catchers who have become major league managers. Wilson is currently the skipper of the Kane County Cougars of the Low-A Midwest League. In the story Wilson talks about his big league days, getting the chance to manage six months after his retirement from baseball and the challenges of coaching his Kansas City Royals affiliate through a rough first half.
Ex-Detroit Tigers catcher Vance Wilson finds ‘perfit fit’ as manager in Midwest League — MLive.com
Seth Stohs who runs the outstanding Minnesota Twins blog SethSpeaks.net and is a must follow on twitter @SethTweets recently spent a weekend behind the scenes with the Twins Class-A affiliate the Beloit Snappers. Stohs writes about his experience with the club and offers an inside look at the preparation that goes on for both the players and front office staff of a minor league baseball franchise, as well as provides his scouting report on a number of the Twins young prospects.
A Weekend In Beloit — StarTribune.com
Your link to the future of baseball