Savage Headed to Big League Camp with Dodgers
January 16, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- Former Wichita Wingnuts' pitcher Will Savage has been invited to Major League camp with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Savage--who has pitched in the Dodgers' organization each of the last two years--will compete for a Major League roster spot this spring, and has the chance to become the first Wingnuts' player to reach the pinnacle of professional baseball.
"It's very surreal," said Savage. "I kind of have to put it all in perspective. Having the setbacks that I've had really makes me appreciate the opporunity."
After starring for the Wingnuts' in 2009, Savage was purchased by Los Angeles in February of 2010. Since then, the 27-year-old right-hander has made two all-star teams, and risen through three levels of the Dodgers' farm system.
"I'd take 22 of him," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "When he took the mound, he was fierce. He wanted the ball at all times, and he was going to give you everything he had. He had a true passion for the game. He took a lot of pride in what he did, and he took a lot of pride in what he did during the four days that he wasn't pitching. As a skipper, I can't ask for much more. Now he gets his first invite to Big League camp, which is a huge deal, because he's going to put himself in front of that whole Major League staff and have a chance to shine."
Any baseball player would consider it a dream come true to simply reach the Major Leagues. But for Savage, a native of Los Angeles' West Hills, the chance to do it with the team he grew up rooting for would be extra special.
"You've got Don Newcombe and Sandy Koufax coming in to talk to you," said Savage. "It just gives you goosebumps. These guys are legends in the game that you hear about growing up. Then you get to meet them face-to-face and actually have them share their experiences and trying to help you get to where they were. It's unbelievable.
"Every night I would go to bed as a little kid dreaming of pitching at Dodger Stadium. Hopefully that dream will be realized here pretty soon. Anytime I slip on that Dodgers uniform, I don't take anything for granted. With my whole family being Dodgers fans, and the chance to be able to go back home to Los Angeles and pitch in front of them, it would make everybody's dream come true.
This past season, Savage went 12-6 for the Double-A Southern League's Chattanooga Lookouts. Savage led the Southern League in wins, while finishing eighth in ERA (3.95), and second in both WHIP (1.25) and walks allowed per nine innings (1.84).
Savage allowed two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 25 appearances, and yielded more than four just three times all season. Savage also logged at least 6.0 innings in 17 of his 23 starts, and was voted to the Southern League's mid-season all-star team.
Savage earned two promotions within the organization in 2010, climbing from Low-A Great Lakes to High-A Inland Empire, and eventually finishing in Chattanooga. Savage was a mid-season all-star for Great Lakes, leading the Midwest League in wins at the time of his selection. His 2.80 ERA with the Loons fell 23.0 innings shy of qualifying for second in the league.
Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of the University of Oklahoma in 2006, the 26th-round pick pitched exclusively out of the bullpen during his first three professional seasons. Savage signed shortly after the draft, and posted a 2.68 ERA in 40.1 innings during his first pro summer. The season concluded with Savage helping the Low-A South Atlantic League's Lakewood BlueClaws capture a championship.
In 2007, Savage was promoted to the High-A Florida State League with Clearwater, and had another strong year. He worked 62.0 more innings with a 3.63 ERA, and again helped his club to a championship.
Two succesful years in the Phillies' system led to another promotion in 2008--this time to the Double-A Eastern League with Reading. But an arm injury limited Savage to just eight and two-thirds innings, and his season was cut short for good on May 15th. Savage rehabbed his way back into playing shape, but was released by Philadelphia the following spring. It was during his cross-country trip back home that Savage and the Wingnuts made contact.
"We fell on him really late that year," said Hooper. "We were getting ready to start camp, and he was driving back after getting released. It was a close stop with him living in Oklahoma at the time, so he came in and threw a bullpen for us. The rest is history."
Signing with the Wingnuts presented Savage the opportunity to re-establish himself within the baseball community. It also opened the door for him to do something he had never done professionally--become a starting pitcher.
Prior to 2009, all 70 of Savage's professional outings came in relief. Even during his final two years at Oklahoma, Savage had made just six starts in 72 appearances. But a strong frame--Savage is 6-foot-4 and a former junior college quarterback--and deep arsenal of quality pitches made the decision mutually intriguing for both parties.
"Sometimes, that's what it takes to get a guy back to affiliated ball," said Hooper. "You move him into a rotation where he's going to pitch every fifth day, and he's going to log seven innings a night. Scouts are going to be able to come out and watch him do that and get a gauge on how he responds. For 'Savy', it's been nothing but great, and hopefully he's on his way to bigger and better things."
The results were nothing short of terrific. Savage was a major component of a Wingnuts' club that went a league-best 58-38, and a pitching staff that dominated the American Association with a 3.52 team ERA. Savage finished fourth in the league, and first on the Wingnuts, with a 2.94 ERA.
"The Wingnuts were a launching point for me," said Savage. "When I got released by the Phillies, I was out of the bullpen, and 'Hoop' gave me the opportunity to be a starter. The guy was so knowledgeable having played for a long time. I enjoyed being around him and learning the intracacies of the game. Luke (Robertson) was also instrumental in helping me with the transformation from being a bullpen guy to a starter. That helped me out tremendously."
On June 23rd, Savage earned a piece of baseball history when he no-hit the Sioux City Explorers in the midst of a pennant race. The feat was even more impressive when you consider that it was just the eighth start of Savage's pro career, and it came on the road in a 1-0 contest.
"I was fortunate enough that they made a plaque for me. I have it hanging in my office, and I get goosebumps every once in a while when I look at it. It's something that doesn't happen very often, and there's a lot of luck involved. I remember Mike Thompson making a backhanded, diving play down the line to save the no-hitter. 'Hoop' gave me the lineup card, so I definitely remember all of those guys that were a part of it, and it's something I'll never forget."
Just five days after the no-hitter, Savage started and won what proved to be the clinching game of the Wingnuts' first half division title. As Savage continued to build his resume as a starter, he also earned more and more trust from his manager.
With a playoff spot assured, Hooper had the luxury of setting his postseason rotation exactly how he wanted. It was Savage who was chosen to start Game One of the Division Series, emerging from a staff that boasted four all-stars, four top-10 ERA finishers, and both the Right- and Left-Handed Pitchers of the Year. Savage once again rose to the occassion, pitching seven strong innings to earn the victory in the franchise's first ever playoff game.
Savage--who currently resides in Oklahoma with his wife Lacey and their four-month old son Maverick--is just weeks away from starting Big League camp with the Dodgers. Over the last four years, Savage has overcome both injury and disappointment in taking his career to new heights, and he has done it in a completely different role. His former manager could not be more proud.
"I got a taste of the Major Leagues," said Hooper, "and I want every single guy to have that opportunity. 'Savy' was a joy to be around, and I couldn't be happier for him. It would be truly special seeing him on TV pitching in the Major Leagues. It would be a special day for our entire organization."
The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
American Association Stories from January 16, 2012
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