FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Add Pitcher And Catcher

Published on April 3, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


Washington, PA - The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, signed two more players for the 2008 season, according to officials. Pitcher John Leonard and Catcher Kris Rochelle will report for training camp in May.

Leonard signed with the Kansas City Royals as a non-drafted free agent in June 2007 from Virginia Commonwealth University. He made his professional debut at Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League posting a record of 3-2 with a 4.68 ERA, striking out 55 batters in 65.1 innings over 16 appearances (14 starts). He picked up his first win as a professional in his third start, throwing six shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out four versus Casper on July 5th. Had a 3.20 ERA in six August appearances, striking out 24 while surrendering 23 hits in 25.1 innings pitched.

The Virginia Beach, Va. native was 5-2 as the ace of the VCU staff in 2007, leading the team with 93.1 innings pitched during the year. He posted an ERA of 5.01 in 17 appearances, while walking just 40 and recording 69 strikeouts. Leonard became a two-way player for the first time in his four seasons and starred on both sides for VCU during his senior year. At the plate, he batted .295 with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, 25 RBI, and three steals.

For his career, Leonard notched 17 wins in his four seasons, with 268.2 innings pitched, a mark that ranks in the top ten in VCU history. He posted a career ERA of 4.32 in 52 appearances, walking just 108 and recording 218 strikeouts, another mark that ranks in the top ten in school history.

During his junior year in 2006, he had a career-year when he was the team leader with seven wins (7-5, 3.56 ERA) in 15 starts and 96 innings posting career-highs in every pitching category. He was second in the CAA with 15 starts, fourth with seven wins and 96 innings, seventh with 91 strikeouts and eighth with .249 opponent batting average.

"John is a guy that we received very good reports on while he was in college," said Ross Vecchio. "We are anxious to see him as he concentrates on pitching; he should be able to pitch successfully in the Frontier League. He has a plus fastball, and is a solid competitor."

Catcher Kris Rochelle was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round of the 2007 June First Year Player Draft from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. While he was with the Detroit organization, injuries limited his season; he appeared in eight games between Oneonta (NY) of the New York-Penn League and the GCL Tigers of the rookie Gulf Coast League.

"Kris had a fluke injury last summer that curtailed his professional debut," said Vecchio. "If you look at his college numbers, based on what we have heard, all indications are he should be able to come in and be a solid player for us this season. We are looking for someone to complement Pat O'Brien, and we feel that Kris will fit that bill."

Rochelle was The Atlantic 10 Conference leading hitter during his senior season in 2007, with an average of .404; he was the sixth 49er ever to hit above .400 for a season. He also finished the season with 18 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 50 RBI to go along with a team best 44 walks and a .502 on-base percentage as he was named to the A-10 All-Conference team. He caught 545 innings for the 49ers, which was 99.2 percent of the season's innings. Prior to the season he was a member of the Wallace Watch list for the prestigious Wallace award which is presented annually to the top college player each season.

At UNC Charlotte, he ranks 8th among the career leaders in games played with 215, 9th in hits with 290, and he is tied 6th with 54 doubles. He played for the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League during the summers of 2005 and 2006. He played for the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League in 2004 where he was a teammate of Wild Things infielder Chris Carrara. He was drafted in the 50th round of the 2003 June First Year Player draft by the Chicago Cubs following his senior year at Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Virginia.

The Wild Things open their exhibition season on May 15th when they host the U.S. Military All Stars. Open House, the first day individual game tickets go on sale, is set for August 19.

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