Summing it up: How the Jews did in Spring Training

By Scott Barancik, editor As baseball fans celebrate Opening Day, Jewish Baseball News is taking a look back at the 21 Jews who participated in MLB Spring Training this year. Fifteen position players and six pitchers saw playing time, some as full-fledged team members, others as non-roster invitees, and several via short-term stints. Their stats are shown…

He’s back! Ex-MLB’er Aaron Poreda inks deal with Texas

By Scott Barancik, editor Aaron Poreda, a 6-foot-6-inch pitcher whose rapid rise to the Majors was matched by a swift decline, has signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers after a long layoff for “Tommy John” surgery. Poreda, 27, told Jewish Baseball News that Texas was one of 8 to 10 teams that sent scouts to watch…

New teams for Nate Freiman, Danny Valencia

Going shopping? Use our Amazon.com link ———————————————————————— By Scott Barancik/Jewish Baseball News A flurry of roster moves is taking place as Spring Training player evaluations near an end. The Oakland A’s picked up Nate Freiman on Saturday (3/23/2013) after the Houston Astros put him on waivers. The 26-year-old first baseman, who dominated opposing pitchers during Team…

Pittsburgh Pirates plunder two Jewish minor-leaguers

Buying something on Amazon.com? Please use our link JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — True to their name, the Pittsburgh Pirates plundered two Jewish minor-leaguers on the cheap in the recent Rule 5 draft. One target was St. Louis Cardinals prospect Charlie Cutler. In 2011, the 25-year-old catcher hit a team-high .333 with the Springfield Cardinals (AA)…

Our 2011 Spring Training Awards

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — At least 19 Jews got playing time during Spring Training 2011, including five pitchers and 14 position players. Here are our awards honoring the best, worst, and most surprising performances: Best All-Around Offense: Ian Kinsler. The Texas Rangers 2B didn’t look like the same player who sat out nearly 100 games…

The Jews of spring training: how’re they doing so far?

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Spring Training 2011 is just two weeks old. Many players are still shedding their off-season rust. But a couple Jewish players are already tearing the stitching off the ball. Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, who was hobbled by injuries last season, leads all MLB players with 4 HRs, is tied for…

Tally of minor-leaguers invited to MLB spring training reaches 9

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — The number of Jewish minor-leaguers who will be attending a Major-League spring training this year has reached nine. According to MLB.com, the invitees include: Sam Fuld (Tampa Bay Rays) Ben Guez (Detroit Tigers) Jason Hirsh (New York Yankees) Gabe Kapler (Los Angeles Dodgers) Jason Kipnis (Cleveland Indians) David Kopp (St. Louis…

At least 4 Jewish minor leaguers will attend MLB spring training

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — So far, at least four Jewish minor-leaguers have been invited to attend Major League spring training camps in 2011. According to MLB team web sites, four ballplayers have been identified as “non-roster invitees” — that is, they have been invited to attend spring training even though they are not on their…

POTD: Poreda, Lavarnway, Haerther, Rubinstein, Lorin, Kipnis

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Here are your Players of the Day for Monday (9/6/2010): In season-ending minor league games yesterday: RP Aaron Poreda of the “AAA” Portland Beavers (San Diego Padres) pitched 2 scoreless innings and gave up one walk in a 6-5 win over the Las Vegas 51s. The 6’6″ lefty, who was 1-0…

Mid-season minor-league leaders

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Midway through the 2010 season, Jewish minor leaguers are performing well. The 20 Jewish pitchers have a collective won-loss record of 59-52, a 3.85 ERA and a 2.17 strikeout-to-walk ratio through games played July 14. The 28 position players have a combined batting average of .274 and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of…

Monsters of the Mound

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS —  “Exceedingly tall” is not a common stereotype of the Jewish people. But nobody told the Monsters of the Mound. Of the 19 Jews currently pitching in baseball’s minor leagues, eight are at least 6-foot 5-inches tall, six are at least 6-foot-6, and five are 6-foot-7 or taller. Closest to the upper-deck…