Captains Re-Sign Salazar, Trade For Three Others

Published on January 28, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVEPORT, La. - With the hot stove heating up for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains as they get their roster ready for the 2010 American Association season, the team announced two major moves this week, as they re-signed lefthanded pitcher Richard Salazar and traded for infielder/outfielder Bryan Frichter and pitchers Brian Henschel and Rhett Barber.

Salazar came to the Captains on August 17 of last season, but was stellar in his short stint with the club. The 29-year-old Venezuelan made his Captains debut that same day against first-place Pensacola, and shut out the Pelicans to the tune of just three hits in six innings, with nine strikeouts and no walks. After taking a tough loss in Fort Worth, where he allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, Salazar finished the season with another win over Pensacola, keeping the Captains season alive with six more innings of two-run baseball, with eight strikeouts and one walk.

The Captains acquired Salazar from Wichita for All-Star closer Justin Dowdy, with Salazar going 3-0 mostly out of the bullpen for the Wingnuts. He started his career in the Orioles organization, spending seven seasons with their affiliates, and reaching triple-A in 2007. He then went to Wichita in 2008, his first year in independent baseball.

In his career, Salazar is 27-20 with a 3.53 ERA, without becoming a regular starter until 2008. He has better then a 2:1 strikeout to walk rate, and has allowed opponents to hit only.245 against him in his nine pro seasons.

"We all saw what Richard could do in his short time with us last year," Captains manager Ricky VanAsselberg said. "I'm real excited to have him back with us for another season and I'm looking for great things out of him, both on the mound and as a leader of the pitching staff."

Shreveport-Bossier traded for Henschel and Frichter from the San Angelo (Texas) Colts of the United League, after both had stellar seasons in 2009, earning spots on Baseball America's All-Independent Team. Frichter, who won the rookie of the year award in ULB in 2008 when he hit.349 with 12 homers and 62 RBIs, was even better last year. The 25-year-old from Chalmette, La., hit a league-best.386 in '09, with seven home runs and 46 RBIs, despite missing time to injury and switching from outfield to third base.

Henschel, 33, completed his third professional season in 2009, with a career-best and league-high 11 wins (against only two losses). He also led the United League with a 2.29 ERA, six complete games and three shutouts. The native of Hartland, Wisc., was 8-7 with a 4.62 ERA in his debut season, and the righty was 10-3 with a 4.36 in 2008.

"I managed against these two guys for a couple of years, and I know that they both will definitely help our club this season," VanAsselberg said.

Barber, a 24-year-old righthander, spent last season split between Alexandria (La.) of the Continental League and Quebec of the Can-Am League. He was 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA in Alexandria, and 1-2 in five games with Quebec. He started his pro career in 2007 with Bradenton (Fla.) of the South Coast League, and then was with Harlingen (Texas) and Laredo (Texas) of the United League in 2008, where he played against VanAsselberg's Alexandria squad.

"Hopefully Rhett can continue his progress that he has made so far in his career and be a real solid member of our pitching staff this season," VanAsselberg said.

The Shreveport-Bossier Captains open the 2010 season in Fort Worth on May 13, and will be on the road for the first series of the year. The home opener is a day-night doubleheader against Pensacola on Tuesday May 18. All games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio, KRMD-1340 AM as well as streaming live on supertalk1340.com. For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the Captains, check out the team's Web site at www.sbcaptains.com, or call the Fair Grounds Field office at (318) 636-5555.

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American Association Stories from January 28, 2010


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