May 10, 2018 4 min read

A former major league first-round draft pick in center field, a starting pitcher who has won 17 games in the Frontier League, a catcher who is in his third year as a starter in Washington and a closer who saved 20 games last season.

Yes, the Wild Things have some experienced and productive players in key positions.

And they seem motivated to improve upon last year’s 53-43 record and trip to the league semifinals. Washington was eliminated in a best-of-5 playoff series by Florence, 3-1. The Wild Things lost the opening game, 5-3, in 11 innings and Game 3 by a 5-4 score, failing to protect late-inning leads in both games.

“The way last season ended left a bitter taste,” said pitcher Chase Cunningham, who had a 10-3 record and 3.45 ERA last year as Washington’s No. 2 starter.

“It gave me extra motivation. We were so close – maybe three pitches from playing for a championship. The returning guys have to keep that in the back of their mind for future reference.”

Cunningham, back for his third season, is one of 12 returning players – two are currently on the disabled list – and he is scheduled to be the starting pitcher when the Wild Things begin their 17th season tonight against the Evansville Otters on the road at Bosse Field.

The home opener is Tuesday night against the Gateway Grizzlies.

“We have guys who are hungry to win,” said third-year manager Gregg Langbehn, who has 597 career wins in the minors, including 366 in the Frontier League.

“I think it’s a deeper lineup. The bench is going to be better. Guys came into this camp fighting for jobs and didn’t disappoint us.”

Among the returning position players is center fielder James Harris, a former first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays. When Harris was signed at midseason last year, Washington’s offense took off. He batted a team-best .299 and stole 18 bases in 46 games.

“With his track record and skillset, James could have gone to any team in the country,” said Wild Things assistant general manager Tony Buccilli, “but he has bought into winning and Eastern Division title and playing for a championship in Washington.”

Harris is expected to be the hub of the offense, especially after Washington lost first baseman Kane Sweeney and outfielder Bralin Jackson, the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters in last year’s lineup. Jackson is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Class AA affiliate in Altoona and Sweeney, who set the franchise single-season records for walks, retired to take a coaching job at his alma mater, Morehead State.

The other returning position players are catcher Kyle Pollock, third baseman Mike Hill, right fielder Hector Roa and shortstop Justin Bohn, though the latter will start the season on the disabled list. Pollock, Hill and Roa combined for 39 home runs a year ago.

Among the newcomers who have impressed in camp are outfielders Roman Collins and Mick Fennell. Collins, a Charleston, W.Va., native played last year in the Kansas City Royals farm system while Fennell, a former standout at California University and a Butler native, was in the St. Louis’ Cardinals’ system.

Reydel Medina, the first Cuban-born player to sign with the Wild Things, can play both first base and the outfield. He spent four years in the Cincinnati Reds’ system and advanced as high as Class AA.

The pitching staff returns seven members but gone is Trevor Foss, who was among the top starters in the league each of the last two seasons. Foss had a 20-8 record in that span and 12 complete games. He has exceeded the Frontier League’s age limit and is playing for Somerset of the Atlantic League.

“You can’t replace a guy like that,” Langbehn admitted. “I know the rest of the managers in the league are glad he’s gone. He was a special guy. Chase has the mindset that he can replicate that. To do that, he has to be more pitch efficient and get deeper into games.”

Jake Eaton, who showed plenty of potential after being acquired in a late-season trade last year, was being counted on to take on larger role this season but he was placed on the disabled list and it is not known when, or if, he will be available.

That leaves four new starters in the rotation. The bullpen, however, returns reliable closer Zach Strecker, righthander Davis Adkins and lefty Frank Trimarco, but who fits into what roles before the ninth inning has not been determined.

“The biggest challenge is we have to put together a bullpen. We’re going into Friday with no set plan,” Langbehn said.

The goal, however, is clear. Washington is aiming for the first Frontier League championship in its history.

“Overall, we’re a pretty solid bunch,” Cunningham said.