Announcement
SIXTEEN ADDED THROUGH TRYOUTS
Sixteen players, including some with previous Palm Beach League experience, were selected in the league's spring league draft, following Open Tryouts held on Sunday, March 7 at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The top selection was 19-year old first baseman/outfielder Donnie Fitzgerald, who was tabbed by the Wellington Twins, who will be moving up to the 18AAA league this season after a successful campaign in the 18AA circuit this past Fall. Fitzgerald has lots of experience already for such a younger player. Originally from the Chicago area, Fitzgerald played high school ball, college ball at Harper College and Adult League ball before moving to West Palm, where he is attending Palm Beach State, formerly Palm Beach Community College. Fitzgerald demonstrated good hitting, including a nice power stroke, and impressed Manager Eddie Vazquez with his glove work as well. He should add power to the Twins' lineup.
The Brewers took 38-year old Roy Anderson of Coconut Creek, who was impressive as both an infielder and pitcher with their first round pick, and added a smooth fielding middle infielder in 20-year old Joseph Acosta, who played high school ball at Forest Hill High School with their second selection. Only two other players were selected by 18AAA teams.
The Royals, who will be losing two outfielders for the spring season, picked up an experienced one in 35-year old Jay Evans of Royal Palm Beach, who has played several seasons in the Palm Beach League. And, the Leones, who will be managed this season by star pitcher/infielder Kyle Merritt, tapped 33-year old corner infielder/outfielder Peter Khanna of Delray Beach. The Leones are coming off a fine season in which they finished in third place in the league's most competitive division. Merritt is replacing Fernando Miranda, who is taking the spring season off to devote more time to his job and family.
The White Sox attended the tryouts, but did not make any selections, while the Orioles and Pirates, both eligible from the 18AA league, did not participate.
18AA League teams picked up twelve new players. The Braves, under new manager Mike Silvas and coach John Aquino, selected William (Alex) Sanabria, a 23 year old with previous league experience, but traded him to the Dodgers for future considerations. Sanabria played last season with the now defunct Cubs and before that with the Super Sox, who are now the Dodgers. Allen Fox will be taking over as manager of the Dodgers, with Glenn Siesser as the GM, and Bobby Anderson as coach.
Two other tryout candidates were assigned to the Braves, including 31-year old Lucas Bonchick of Lake Worth. Bonchick, a shortstop, played at Cardinal Newman High School in the mid 90's, in the Palm Beach League in the late 90's, and the Men's Senior Baseball League in Long Island, NY. The other is 59-year old pitcher Larry Flaster, whose background includes pitching in the Fort Lauderdale Senior League.
The Tigers, about to enter their second season in the 18AA league, picked up three new players, including two catchers. Danny Spidalieri of Wellington, 35, and 28 year old John Bravo of Wellington, who played with the Mariners in the Fall. Bravo was seeking a new team after the Mariners decided not to enter a team for the spring session. The Bengals took a third player in 32-year old Wayne Pavid of West Palm Beach, who has some league experience. In addition to Sanabria, the Dodgers got three other new players. Outfielder Ramon Jimenez, 38, of West Palm Beach was their first selection. First baseman/outfielder Phil Nelson of Royal Palm Beach, 22, formerly played in the league with the Scott Cobb-managed Marlins, right out of high school. Infielder Vincent Mancini of Boca Raton, 46, will be given a look by the Dodgers in practice sessions.
A new team, Akadema, managed by Jose Pena Jr, with Kelvin Jimenez serving as his coach, picked up one player in 42 year old first baseman Miguel Diaz of Boynton Beach, who was with the Pirates in the spring 09 season. And, the Marlins, hoping to improve on their 7-7 Fall league season, tabbed 31-year old Adam Medina of Lake Worth. Formerly a pitcher and player/manager, Medina will play first base or third base this season. Medina managed the Expos to two Fall League championships in 2001 and 2003, but has been away from the diamond for the past few seasons. .
