Beach Bums Add Three Arms at Frontier League Draft
Published on May 5, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- The Traverse City Beach Bums added three pitchers to their spring training roster at the Frontier League Draft hosted by the Washington Wild Things at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa. on Tuesday. The Beach Bums chose David Hurst, Kyle Stahlberg, and Eric Theisen.
Selecting eighth overall, the Beach Bums chose Hurst, a left-handed pitcher, in the first round. Originally drafted out of high school by the Colorado Rockies in the 40th round of the 2003 MLB Draft, Hurst did not sign, but later signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as a free agent following his college career at the University of Florida in 2007.
Hurst appeared in 21 games with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League during the 2007 campaign, his first as a pro. He was 3-3 as a reliever with three saves and a 5.21 ERA in 40.2 innings of work. Hurst showcased good control, recording 31 strikeouts while walking only seven hitters. As a senior at Florida, Hurst saved six games and was 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA while appearing in 27 games as a reliever. He will hold Rookie-2 status in the Frontier League.
"Hurst showed command of both sides of the plate," Beach Bums director of baseball operations Jason Wuerfel said. "He has very good secondary pitches, and has posted solid numbers in the past. We feel he can make an impact on our pitching staff."
The Beach Bums grabbed Stahlberg, a right-handed picher, in the second round. Stahlberg pitched this winter in the Golden League's Arizona Winter League for the Saskatchewan Silver Sox. He was 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in seven appearances, making three starts. He threw 22 innings and struck out 16, limiting opponents to a .230 average.
During the summer of 2008, Stahlberg played semi-pro baseball in the Northern Ohio Semi-Pro Baseball League with the Ohio Fightin' Titans and was chosen as the Pitcher of the Year. He went 5-0 with a 1.94 ERA in 36 innings.
"Stahlberg hides the ball well and has good movement," Wuerfel said.
With their final choice, the Beach Bums went with right-hander Eric Theisen from Illinois State University. Hailing from Adrian, Mich., Theisen's father, Gordie, is the pitching coach at Adrian College in southeast Michigan.
As a redshirt senior at Illinois State in 2008, Theisen appeared in 25 games, the second most in school history. He posted a 5-5 record to go along with three saves and an ERA of 3.74 in 53 innings. Theisen is the Illinois State University career leader in appearances. He was used as both a starter and reliever during his career.
"He throws from all arm angles," Wuerfel said of Theisen. "He is a very smart pitcher who had success in college that should translate well in the Frontier League."
Players chosen previously in the Frontier League Draft have had success in Traverse City.
Pete McEneaney was selected by the Beach Bums in the first round of the 2008 draft with the sixth overall pick. McEneaney went on to appear in 29 games for the Beach Bums, making a pair of starts. He posted a 3-2 record to go along with an ERA of 3.33 in 48.2 innings of work.
Nick Pepper is entering his third spring training in Traverse City after being selected in the first round of the 2007 draft by the Kalamazoo Kings before being released in spring training. Pepper has appeared in over 70 games in two seasons with the Beach Bums.
Hosted by the Washington Wild Things, the Frontier League Open Tryout and Draft was initially scheduled for two days. After rainy weather yesterday, the tryout camp was shortened to just one day. A total of 233 prospects had the day to impress the coaching staffs of all 12 teams. Teams are required to add at least two players to their spring training roster. The draft order was based off of reverse finish from the 2008 season.
Spring training for the Beach Bums will begin on Friday under first year manager Gregg Langbehn. The addition of three players brings the total number to 35 with 18 pitchers in camp.
Traverse City opens the Frontier League season on May 22 at Kalamazoo. The home opener is May 26 against Southern Illinois.
Tickets are now on sale for all games on the 2009 slate.
Frontier League Stories from May 5, 2009
- Beach Bums Add Three Arms at Frontier League Draft - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Belvedere to Hold Meet and Greet - Lake Erie Crushers
- Individual Tickets on Sale May 9 - Southern Illinois Miners
- Freedom Add Exhibition Games At Blue Ash - Florence Y'alls
- Otters And Old National Bank Team-Up - Evansville Otters
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