Grizzlies draft five at Frontier League tryout
Published on May 6, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
The Gateway Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren and his coaching staff along with the 11 other teams in the Frontier League spent Tuesday evaluating talent at the annual Frontier League Tryout and Draft held in Washington, Pennsylvania.
The Grizzlies signed five players from the tryout, and all will report to spring training which opens Thursday at GCS Ballpark.
With their first pick in the draft coming in the second round due to a trade, the Grizzlies chose right handed pitcher Shaun Ellis. Ellis, a right handed pitcher out of Philadelphia, PA was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 32nd round in 2008. Shaun participated in the RBI Program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) in Philadelphia.
In the third round, the Grizzlies traded left handed pitcher Devin Collis to the River City Rascals for their third round pick, Joe Welsh. Welsh, a southpaw pitcher himself, was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 32nd round in 2006. Since then, Joe has been with the Hagerstown Suns (Nationals A) and Kalamazoo Kings (Frontier League).
Following the trade with River City, Gateway then drafted outfielder Jareck West. West was signed by the Oakland Athletics in 2007 and spent two seasons between the Arizona League A's (Rookie) and the Vancouver Canadians (A-Ball).
With the need for pitching, Warren chose right handed pitcher Scott Kelly in the fourth round. Kelly, a true rookie out of Belleville, Ont. attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO.
With their final pick of the draft, the Grizzlies chose left handed pitcher George Rohan. Also a true rookie, Rohan played his collegiate ball at the University of Findlay in Findlay, OH.
"I am excited to see these guys compete this spring," said Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren. "There is definitely some talent in this group and I fully anticipate them to push for a spot on our opening day roster."
The Grizzlies open their 9th season in the Frontier League Friday, May 22nd. Season tickets, Mini-Plans, and Group Outings are available now by calling (618) 337-3000.
Frontier League Stories from May 6, 2009
- Grizzlies draft five at Frontier League tryout - Gateway Grizzlies
- Families Win When Otters and Old National Bank Team UP - Evansville Otters
- RiverHawks draft two from tryout camp - Rockford RiverHawks
- ThunderBolts Select Four in Draft - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Miners, Withers Form New Radio Network - Southern Illinois Miners
- GLVC Tournament Opens Thursday at GCS Ballpark - Gateway Grizzlies
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