Around the Minors: February 15
By Jay Blue
Sep 15, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (64) dives back to first safe in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time to get you caught up on some of the more recent news from around the minor leagues. With pitchers and catchers reporting, it’s just about baseball time again!
In ballpark news, this piece at MiLB.com has info that the El Paso Chihuahuas will play their opening homestand (April 11-14) back in Tuscon’s Kino Stadium since the new stadium in El Paso won’t be ready until April 28. Benjamin Hill also reports that, while the groundbreaking for MGM Park, the future home of the Hunstville Stars when they move to Biloxi, Mississippi in 2015, occurred last week, they have finally been approved for the funding for the stadium.
The college baseball season is under way and if you’re a fan of the SEC, you can head to Minor League Ball for the beginning of Chris Slade’s preview of the conference, paying particular attention to draft prospects.
The Akron RubberDucks (formerly the Akron Aeros) have unveiled their new uniforms, which get a big old meh from me. If they’re trying to be old-timey with the socks, it just doesn’t work for me with the more modern piping on the jerseys. What do you think? Fashion faux-pas? or Fashion fantastic?
Kelsie Heneghan at MiLB.com reports that Dylan Bundy is well on his way to rehabbing by May. Only six months removed from Tommy John surgery, Bundy is already throwing 120 feet, apparently pain-free.
Minor League Signings of Note
Utility man Emilio Bonifacio appears to be on the verge of signing with the Chicago Cubs. While the deal is a minor league deal, Chris Wilmoth at MLB Trade Rumors reports that Bonifacio is likely to make the team out of spring training since he had been fielding major league offers from other teams. Bonifacio was released by the Royals after clearing waivers.
1B Matt LaPorta signed a minor league deal with the Orioles with no invite to major league spring training.
OF Roger Bernadina signed with the Reds. He’s on a minor league deal (with ML spring training invite) but will make $1 million if he makes the big club.
RHP Kyle Davies signed a minor league deal with the Indians that doesn’t come with a big league camp invite. Davies hasn’t pitched in the bigs since 2011 and was with the Twins minor league system in 2013.
RHP Todd Van Steensel signed again with the Minnesota Twins after having been released in 2011. He pitched in the Netherlands in 2012 and was pitching in the Australian Baseball League this winter.
RHP Jose Valverde signed a minor league deal with an invite to major league camp with the New York Mets.
The Texas Rangers are hoping that RHP Jason Knapp has been rebuilt after two shoulder surgeries. He signed a minor league deal and, though he hasn’t pitched professionally since 2010, he’s still only 23 years old.
Outrighted
Chicago White Sox: RHP Deunte Heath
Houston Astros: 1B Brett Wallace
Kansas City Royals: LHP Everett Teaford
Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Donovan Hand
Above information compiled from MLB Trade Rumors and Baseball America.