FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Add Two To 2008 Roster

Published on April 22, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


Washington, PA - The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, announced the signings of RHP Mike Eisenberg and RHP Chris Rivera.

Eisenberg was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 8th round of the 2006 June First Year Player Draft from Marietta College where he led the Pioneers to the NCAA Division III National Championship. He was named the Division III pitcher of the year that season with a record of 13-2 and a 1.33 ERA in 21 games (16 starts) striking out 138 batters while surrendering 35 walks and 70 hits in 115 innings pitched. He is the fifth player from Marietta to sign with the Wild Things following David Bradley (02-03), Jay Coakley (02-04), Chris Sidick (05-present), and Jarrod Klausman (2007).

Eisenberg made his professional debut with Mahoning Valley of the Class A New York Penn League where he went 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA in 15 games with 44 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. During the months of June and July he went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his first nine appearances, surrendering 40 hits and 16 walks while striking out 24 in 36 innings pitched.

The Florida native split the 2007 season between Lake County of the Class A South Atlantic League and Mahoning Valley. With Lake County he appeared in eight games striking out 34 in 32.1 innings pitched. With Mahoning Valley he finished 3rd in games started (15), and 5th in innings pitched (79.1) with a 4-7 record while striking out 50 and allowing 76 hits and 17 walks. He went 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his first five starts from June 20 to July 12 over 28 innings allowing 23 hits and three base-on-balls and striking out 19 batters.

Rivera re-joins the Wild Things from the Chicago Cubs organization where his contract was sold by Washington on July 2nd last season. Upon signing with the Cubs, he reported to the Mesa Cubs of the Arizona Rookie League where he went 1-1 with 3.57 ERA and one save in 13 appearances. He struck out 14 and walked eight while surrendering 22 hits in 22.2 innings pitched. With Mesa, he was a teammate of current Wild Thing pitcher Corey Bachman. In his two appearances with the Wild Things Rivera was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. In nine innings of work, Rivera struck out five batters and held batters to a .226 batting average. For the year between Washington and Mesa, he went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA striking out 19 batters and allowing 29 hits in 31.2 innings pitched.

He joined the Washington Wild Things after finishing his senior season at Virginia Wesleyan College with an impressive 8-0 record and a 2.44 earned run average, starting 14 games in 17 total appearances. He struck out 64 batters, increasing his career total to 197, the second highest in program history.

Rivera set VWC's appearance record last season with 31 and finished with 88 in his career, setting a VWC record. He pitched 250.1 innings, the fourth highest total in Marlin history and closed out his career with a 21-5 record, marking him as only the fifth VWC pitcher ever to record 20+ wins in a career. His .806 winning percentage is the third highest in program history.

"These two will be a great addition to our pitching staff," said Ross Vecchio, Wild Things' General Manager. "Mike has a great arm, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do for the Wild Things. We've always been impressed with Chris, and we're glad to have him back."

The Wild Things begin the season with exhibition games, including one against the U.S. Military All-Stars on May 15th. They'll host the Chillicothe Paints for three exhibition games on May 16 and 17. The team's home opener is set for May 24th. Tickets for all games are available at the CONSOL Energy Park box office.

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