Goldeyes Deal for Talented Pitching Trio
January 7, 2020 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Goldeyes acquired right-handed pitchers Garrett Mundell and Garrett Harris, as well as left-handed pitcher Domenic Mazza from the Frontier League's (formerly Can-Am League's) les Aigles de Trois-Rivieres in exchange for cash considerations on Tuesday.
Mundell was voted the Can-Am League's Relief Pitcher of the Year after setting a Trois-Rivieres franchise record with 20 saves and posting a 2.32 ERA over 39 relief appearances. The Lake Forest, California native struck out 52 batters in 42.2 innings while walking 12 and allowing just two home runs. Mundell did not allow an earned run in 32 of his 39 outings, and had the fourth-lowest ERA in the Can-Am League among pitchers with at least 40.0 innings. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound right-hander helped les Aigles reach the Can-Am League playoffs where he contributed another three and two-thirds frames without allowing an earned run.
Mundell was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 23rd round in 2015 out of Fresno State University (Fresno, California). During his first five professional seasons, Mundell has compiled a 2.10 ERA and 40 saves in 119 appearances, all of them coming in relief. Mundell- who will be 27 on Opening Night- owns a lifetime 32 percent strikeout rate and has allowed just four home runs in 162.2 career innings. Mundell has finished with an ERA of 2.64 or lower in four of his five years as a professional.
Harris was voted the Can-Am League's Rookie of the Year after going 9-3 with a 3.75 ERA for les Aigles in 16 starts and four relief appearances (98.1 innings pitched). The College Station, Texas native ranked tied for fourth in the Can-Am League in wins, ninth in ERA, and fifth in strikeouts (105). Harris allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his 16 starts and allowed more than four earned runs in a start on just two occasions. Harris struck out seven batters or more six times, including a pair of 11-strikeout performances on June 4th versus New Jersey and June 14th at Quebec. 2019 marked the fourth time in as many professional seasons in which Harris finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched.
A 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-hander, Harris signed with the Kansas City Royals as a non-drafted free agent in 2016. After two seasons in the Royals' farm system in which he combined for 52 strikeouts in 44.1 innings, Harris signed with the Frontier League's Evansville Otters in 2018 where he fanned 50 batters in 47.1 frames. Harris is 14-7 lifetime with four saves and a 5.02 ERA in 77 games (16 starts, 61 in relief) while averaging 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Harris- who will be 26 on Opening Night- pitched two seasons at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, Texas) prior to signing with the Royals.
Mazza was 5-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 10 starts for les Aigles, and finished second in the Can-Am League in ERA among pitchers with at least 10 starts. The Walnut Creek, California native allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his 10 starts, and allowed more than three earned runs in a start just once. In 55.0 innings of work, Mazza struck out 60, walked nine, and yielded only three home runs. The 25-year-old Mazza made one start and one relief appearance during the postseason, and did not allow a run in seven and one-third innings.
Mazza is entering his sixth season of professional baseball and is 27-22 with a 3.40 ERA in 70 career appearances, 57 of them as a starting pitcher. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Mazza was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 22nd round in 2015 out of the University of California, Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, California). Mazza has averaged 1.8 walks per nine innings as a professional, and has walked two batters or less in 53 of his 57 career starts.
All three pitchers are classified below the "LS-4" tier, providing additional roster flexibility. Harris has been officially signed to a contract.
"I'm excited to add these quality arms to our staff," said Goldeyes' manager Rick Forney. "All three are coming off fantastic seasons, and I'm hopeful that they'll continue their recent run of success in a Goldeyes' uniform."
The Goldeyes now have six players under contract for the 2020 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 7th.
2020 Winnipeg Goldeyes Signings
RHP Victor Capellan
IF Wes Darvill
RHP Garrett Harris
OF Jonathan Moroney
IF Darren Seferina
RHP Andrew Vernon
Notes: The Can-Am League, which had operated since 2005, merged with the Frontier League following the 2019 season...the former Can-Am League franchises will exist under the Frontier League name moving forward...Mazza pitched a perfect game for the Low-A South Atlantic League's Augusta GreenJackets on April 25th, 2017, striking out nine and throwing 85 pitches over nine innings...at the age of 16 in 2010, Mazza placed second in the World Long Drive Championship which included a 436-yard shot during a qualifying event
The Winnipeg Goldeyes open the 2020 season on May 19th on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders. The Goldeyes' 2020 home opener is on Tuesday, May 26th versus the St. Paul Saints.
For information on 2020 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes' office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes' official website at www.goldeyes.com.
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American Association Stories from January 7, 2020
- Nate Samson to Play 2020 Season in Mexico - Sioux City Explorers
- Goldeyes Deal for Talented Pitching Trio - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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