FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Add LHP BJ Sabol, Langbehn Will Serve as Rookie Manager at ASG

Published on July 5, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


FLORENCE, Ky. (July 5) - The Washington Wild Things have announced the signing of former Indiana left-handed pitcher BJ Sabol. In a corresponding move, the Wild Things have placed right-handed pitcher Sam Mersing on the 7-day disabled list. Sabol will be in uniform and active for tonight's game against the Florence Freedom.

A native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Sabol played his high school ball at Lake Country Lutheran. As a senior, Sabol posted a 13-0 record with a 0.72 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 67.2 innings of work. He was Conference and District Player of the Year that season and was honored as Second Team All-State. His team won conference titles all four years he played at Lake Country Lutheran, and won a state championship his senior year by posting a perfect 32-0 record.

He went on to pitch at San Joaquin Delta College, where he made 17 appearances as a freshman, accumulating 20.1 innings. He struck out 25 and walked just three on his way to a 2.21 earned run average. Sabol the pitched three seasons at Indiana University (In.), and was 7-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 68 career appearances out of the bullpen. He tossed 92.1 innings and allowed just 76 hits and walked 29 to go along with 99 career strikeouts.

As a senior in 2018, the southpaw fanned 29 opposing hitters in 28.1 innings, and had a career-best 2.54 ERA. He allowed just eight runs and walked only 12.

"BJ has been an effective reliever for a major program in a major conference for multiple years," said assistant general manager of team operations Tony Buccilli. "We were looking for another weapon out of the bullpen and we believe BJ has the ability to challenge hitters from both sides of the plate."

Sabol will be active in the bullpen tonight if needed for Washington in Florence. Mersing, who is 2-0 with a 4.23 ERA in 2018, heads to the disabled list to make room for Sabol on the active roster. The Wild Things look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Freedom tonight at UC Health Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Manager Gregg Langbehn To Serve As Manager for Frontier League's Rookie All Star Team Next Week

FLORENCE, Ky. (July 5) - Not only will the Washington Wild Things be represented by six players at next week's All Star Game in O'Fallon Missouri, but they'll have their skipper at the game as well, as the Frontier League has announced that Gregg Langbehn will serve as the field manager for the Rookie All Star team at CarShield Field. It will mark the third time Langbehn has served as an All Star Game manager. He did so in 2012 and 2013 while with the Traverse City Beach Bums.

"I am honored to be the Manager for the Rookie team at this years All Star Game," said Langbehn, who is in his third season in Washington. "We hope the new format will be unique and entertaining for all of those in attendance. I am looking forward to next week's events."

Langbehn will manage against five of the Wild Things in the game, but will have second baseman Carter McEachern in his dugout, as McEachern was one of the final additions to the rookie-classification team yesterday.

The managers of the All Star Game are determined by the first-place team in each division a week prior to the game, and the Wild Things hold a 1.5 game lead in the East Division after last night's action. With the new format for the game, the East Division first-place manager, Langbehn, will serve as the manager for the Rookie team, while the West Division first-place manager, Mike Pinto of Southern Illinois, will serve as skipper of the Experienced team.

Langbehn brings an impressive resume to the Rookie All Stars. He is in his third season as the skipper of the Washington Wild Things and his eighth overall in the Frontier League. The Wisconsin native spent five seasons as the manager of the Traverse City Beach Bums after he managed five seasons and coached a few more in the Astros organization.

He left Traverse City to take a position as the Video Replay Coordinator for the Cleveland Indians after the 2013 Frontier League season, and was with the big-league club for two years before arriving in Washington.

He had an impressive playing career as well, as he was drafted in the 11th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Draft by the New York Mets, and pitched in the farm system from 1988 to 1995, reaching the AAA level on three occasions.

Langbehn surpassed the 600 managerial wins plateau earlier this season, and was named the Manager of the Year in the Frontier League in 2012.

Langbehn's staff at the All Star Game will consist of River City's Steve Brook, Alex Ferguson, Josh Ludy and Dave Garcia. Washington athletic trainer Brittany Miller will serve as the Rookie team's trainer.

The All Star Game is slated for Wednesday, July 11 at CarShield Field in O'Fallon, Missouri. The six Wild Things and Langbehn will be a part of the week's festivities. More information and tickets are available at rivercityrascals.com. The Wild Things will have coverage of the events all week on their social media platforms, and you can watch the game by clicking the "Listen Live" link on the Rascals' website.

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Frontier League Stories from July 5, 2018


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