Things trade Kountis to American Association’s T-Bones
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The Washington Wild Things announced Thursday that they have traded relief pitcher Jonathan Kountis to the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association in exchange for two pitchers and a player to be named.
Kountis played one season in Washington and was the top relief pitcher in the Frontier League. He set the league record with 32 saves, converting all but two opportunities. Half of Kountis’ saves came while protecting a one-run lead. He had a 1-4 record, a 2.51 ERA and struck out 50 batters in 43 innings.
Kansas City is managed by former Wild Things manager John Massarelli. Kountis played for Massarelli in 2012, when both were with the Frontier League’s Lake Erie Crushers.
“Jonathan Kountis was a tremendous asset to the Washington Wild Things. Jonathan was the ultimate professional on and off the field,” said Washington manager Bob Bozzuto. “Jonathan’s physical and mental preparations were major reasons for his success in becoming the record holder for saves in the Frontier League. The Wild Things will miss his athleticism and leadership in 2015, but realize the importance of advancing his career as a professional baseball player.”
In exchange for Kountis, the Wild Things will receive left-handed pitcher Hamilton Bennett and right-hander Andy Noga.
The 26-year-old Bennett has played five seasons of professional baseball. He was drafted in the 29th round out of Tennessee Wesleyan by the New York Mets in 2010 and advanced as high as Class AA. Bennett made eight relief appearances for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate in Binghamton (N.Y.) last season and had a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings.
After being released by the Mets, Bennett pitched in 15 games for the T-Bones and had a 10.07 ERA.
Bennett played parts of three Class A seasons (2011-13) in the Mets system under former Wild Things second baseman Ryan Ellis, who was his manager at Savannah (Ga.) and St. Lucie (Fla.). In two of those three seasons, Bennett had a sub-2.00 ERA.
Noga is a Pennsylvania native who played college ball in the PSAC at East Stroudsburg. In two seasons in the American Association, Noga had a 6-18 record.
Frontier League enters deal with California League
The California Winter League and Frontier League have agreed to a 2-year partnership for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The deal will make the California Winter League the official winter league of the Frontier League.
The Frontier League will have a minimum of 31 Spring Training spots specifically for players who participate in the California Winter League. Frontier League managers and coaches will participate in the California Winter League as instructors during the month-long season that runs from Jan. 19 to Feb. 15 in Palm Springs, Calif.
“The Frontier League is proud to sign this affiliation with the California Winter League,” said Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. “The Frontier League is the oldest Independent League and the CWL is the most established Instructional Showcase League. Both leagues have the ultimate goal of giving players a good opportunity to play professional baseball.”
The California Winter League will enter its sixth season in 2015, and the league has seen exponential growth every year since its inception in 2010. The league had more than 220 players last season. Through five seasons, the CWL has helped more than 300 players get signed to professional contracts. Many of those players ended up playing professionally for Frontier League teams. Also, 15 Major League Baseball teams have picked up players from the California Winter League.