Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Eight Jackals Selected to Independent League Prospect Tournament

Published on February 20, 2012 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, N.J. - Eight players currently on the New Jersey Jackals roster are part of the 19-man Can-Am League squad for the first annual Independent League Prospect Tournament, which will be held from February 24 through March 4 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The tournament will consist of four teams representing the Can-Am League, American Association, Frontier League, and North American League each playing eight to ten games, with doubleheaders each day at 1 p.m. The Semi-finals will be held on March 3 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Championship Game is March 4 at 1 p.m.

Tournament Director Nick Belmonte feels certain the format will be attractive to major league organizations, not just those who train in the area, because the players will be in one location instead of scattered across the United States and Canada.

New Jersey is represented by a pair of position players in outfielder Bryan Sabatella and third baseman Nick Giarraputo. A veteran of seven professional seasons, Sabatella is a career .306 hitter and has swiped at least 24 bases each of the past five seasons. Giarraputo, who was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets, is coming off a season in which he batted a career-best .308 while finishing third in the Can-Am League with 27 doubles.

Six Jackals hurlers will make the trip to the Sunshine State, including a duo that suited up for the team last season in Stephen Fox and Shaun Ellis. A former standout at Bergen Catholic High School, Stephen Fox tied for the Can-Am League lead with 41 appearances last summer and turned in a 2.28 ERA while striking out 63 batters and allowing just 38 hits in 51.1 innings. Ellis owns a 15-10 record over three independent seasons.

Additionally, four pitchers acquired by New Jersey this offseason are part of the squad. Southpaw T.J. Wink completed his first professional season with the Pittsfield Colonials in 2011, going 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA and allowing just 50 hits in 59.2 innings. Jake Hale, a 6-foot-7 righty who posted a 0.62 ERA at the Single-A level in the Arizona Diamondbacks system in 2010, saved 15 games for the Brockton Rox last summer. Jimmer Kennedy was tabbed by Baseball America as the 10th-best prospect in independent baseball following the 2011 season with Brockton. Mike Zenko went 6-2 with a 1.61 ERA out of the Pittsfield bullpen a season ago.

Additionally, former Jackal Jerod Edmondson, currently on the Worcester Tornadoes roster, will suit up for the Can-Am League squad as well.

Can-Am League roster:

PITCHERS

Shaun Ellis, Stephen Fox, Jimmer Kennedy, Jake Hale, Pat Moran, Alex Smith, TJ Wink and Mike Zenko.

CATCHERS

Billy Alvino and Patrick D'Aoust

INFIELDERS

Danny Bomback, Jerod Edmondson, Nick Giarraputo, Mark Minicozzi, Ryan Mollica and Matt Nandin.

OUTFIELDERS

Eric McGee, Bryan Sabatella and Bobby Wagner.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, N.J. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now by calling 973-655-8009. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from February 20, 2012


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