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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Plenty of arms in Can-Am League

by Melissa Chodan
September 2, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals


The Can-Am League has been gaining more respect and credibility in the baseball world as more of its players are being drafted into affiliated ball and making it to the Major Leagues.

Pitchers, especially, have found homes in affiliated ball after spending time in the Can-Am.

On Aug. 2, former Quebec Capitales right-hander, Jeff Harris was promoted from AAA Tacoma to the Seattle Mariners bullpen.

A few weeks earlier, Craig Breslow, former New Jersey Jackals lefty, had his cup of coffee in the majors. Breslow, the first player from a Can-Am franchise to make it to the majors, made a relief appearance with the San Diego Padres going 1.2 innings, giving up one hit and striking out three.

But there are still many other strong young arms left in the league. And they have been battle-hardened as they have faced hitters with double-A, triple-A and even Major League experience. They know how to pitch to wooden bats and they know it takes more than a hard fastball to survive.

The New Jersey Jackals lead the league with the most lively young throwers at the helm. The late season acquisition of right-hander Randy Rapp from the Grays has helped solidify the Jackal bullpen even though the trade did not work out as expected.

The up-and-coming young closer has faced minor control issues since joining the Jackals but his stellar numbers with the Grays show Rapp's capability. Rapp, 23, was one of the few dependable arms the Grays had and saw more innings and games in his first professional season than in his college days.

Rapp is tied for the lead league with 37 appearances and is fourth in the league with 11 saves.

Rapp's teammate, southpaw Isaac Pavlik, has had a rubber arm for the Jackals as he has performed in multiple roles as a starter, reliever and closer during the season. Pavlik, 25, is 6-5 with three saves and is fourth in the league with a 3.26 ERA. He is also fourth in the league with 91 strikeouts.

The Jackals also have a pair of 26-year-old hurlers that have been more than impressive. Right-hander Joe Orloski (7-4) and Lefty Josh Brey (8-6) are ranked sixth and seventh in the league with a 3.44 and a 3.48 ERA, respectively, and have been a model of consistency for the team.

Buzz about the future ace of the New Haven County Cutters, Jarrett Stawarz's electric fastball has been circulating around the league since mid-season. Stawarz, 24, is still trying to perfect his approach but has been impressive enough to work himself into the starting rotation. He is 8-7 with a 4.70 ERA and a 2-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Can-Am Grays right-hander Lincoln Mincks has been impressive for the traveling squad this year. Mincks, 24, has been one of the few staples in the Grays rotation this season.

The warrior has fought some of the leagues toughest bats while having to survive with little offensive security behind him and has still managed to come out with a team-high nine wins in the considerable 120 innings he has logged.

The North Shore Spirit lefty Joey Siak, 23, has seen most of his work out of the pen with a few spot starts. Siak is 1-2 with a 2.38 ERA. He has allowed just 41 hits in 45.1 innings of work and has a 2-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Right-hander Reid Willet has been the ace of the Worcester Tornadoes staff. Reid, 23, is 10-4 with 3.56 ERA. He has outstanding control and location, allowing less than a hit per inning and produced a 3-1 strikeout to walk ratio

Steve Palazzolo has been nearly as impressive in relief. The lanky 23-year-old right hander is 2-1 with three saves and a 3.10 ERA.

These young arms barely scratch the surface of what the league has to offer. Undeniably, the Can-Am has a plethora of young arms in the system with the potential to reach the pinnacle of baseball success and thrust the Can-Am league into the forefront of independent baseball.

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