Apr 29, 2019 4 min read

When Zach Strecker walked into the Wild Things’ clubhouse for the start of spring training last weekend, he noticed what was missing from last year, when Washington came up one win shy of the Frontier League championship.

Gone were some very good players from that team.

There was no James Harris, the Frontier League’s Most Valuable Player a year ago. Harris is now playing in the American Association with Winnipeg. Also missing was Thomas Dorminy, the Frontier League’s Pitcher of the Year, who signed with Somerset in the Atlantic League.

Also gone are some key contributors, such as catcher Kyle Pollock, who had been with Washington for three years.

“I’m still trying to learn the names of all the guys we have,” Strecker admitted.

One thing the Wild Things do have is a reliable closer. That would be Strecker, a righthander who is back for his third year in Washington. If Year 3 goes anything like the first two did for Strecker, then somebody will need an eraser for the Wild Things’ record book.

Strecker, a native of Louisville who played college ball in the Southeastern Conference at Kentucky, has pitched in 95 games for the Wild Things over two years, winning 11 and earning a save in 41 others. The latter mark is tied for the Wild Things’ career record with Jonathan Kountis (2014-15). With another big year, Strecker could approach the league record of 70 career saves held by former Evansville closer Eric Massingham.

Last year, Strecker had a 6-5 record with a 1.48 ERA, earning him a spot in the league’s all-star game. Strecker was good right from the start of the season as he didn’t allow a run in his first 20 appearances. He also pitched in five of Washington’s eight playoff games and did not allow a run.

Those kind of numbers usually get a pitcher a shot with a major league organization, or in Strecker’s case a second chance with one. He spent one year in the Minnesota Twins’ farm system. Those numbers also could get a pitcher a spot on a team in a higher-level independent league (see Harris and Dorminy).

Strecker, however, said he knew where he wanted to play this summer.

“I had no intention of playing anywhere else,” he admitted. “For me, it was going to be Washington or nowhere. When you are a guy who has little chance to play affiliated ball, then you want to play someplace where you can win and feel comfortable. I love the fans here. I love the team.

“What led me to return was the hunger for winning a championship. We were one game short last year and that didn’t sit well with me. … Last year was the most fun I had playing baseball. I didn’t want to quit.”

Washington manager Gregg Langbehn, who is back for his fourth season, likes that Strecker has returned.

“He’s fearless,” Langbehn said of his closer. “He’s not going to overpower you with his fastball, but he has enough velocity to beat guys and he has a secondary pitch that can get you out. His greatest asset is his short-term memory. He doesn’t dwell on something that goes badly. That’s not in his nature.

“He has an ability to pound the strike zone. The first thing we look at with a guy in Zach’s role is are they going to beat themselves with walks? Zach’s not going to do that. We’re clearly happy that he said he’d play another year.”

Not all the coaches in the league feel the same way. Langbehn joked that some of the coaches he saw at the Frontier League’s open tryout last week in Joliet, Ill., didn’t know that Strecker is back in Washington.

“They weren’t happy when I told them that he is back,” Langbehn said.

Extra bases

The Frontier League has contracted from 12 to 10 teams. Traverse City and Normal left to join college wood bat leagues. … The season opener is May 9 at River City. … Washington has 37 players in camp and must get down to 24 for the opener.