Wild Things Pick Three, Sign Two From 2006 Frontier League Draft
May 8, 2006 - Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release
The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, added two names to their roster during the 14th annual Frontier League Draft in Crestwood, Ill on Monday. Second baseman Kyle Werman, left-handed pitcher Justin Mattison and right-handed pitcher Richard Riley were all selected by the Wild Things. The San Diego Padres, however, purchased Mattison's contract immediately after the draft concluded.
Werman was selected by the Wild Things with the fourth pick of the first round out of the University of Virginia. A team captain, Werman started 60 of 61 games, hit .272, and had eight doubles, four triples and 27 RBI in helping UVA reach the NCAA regional tournament last year. Werman, a Vienna, Virginia native, also appeared in 11 games for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League in 2005. The UVA graduate hit .271 with two doubles and 28 RBI in 2004 for the Cavaliers.
Mattison was taken by the Wild Things with the eighth pick of the first round. He was a 35th-round selection of the Florida Marlins in the 2003 MLB draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University. Mattison appeared in 54 games as an outfielder for Jamestown of the Class A New York-Penn League in 2003 where he hit .211 with one home run and nine RBI. Mattison was converted to a pitcher while with the Gulf Coast Marlins in 2004 and was 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA and two saves in 12 innings. He did not play in 2005. The Wild Things own the rights to Mattison's Frontier League contract.
Richard Riley is a native of Jefferson, Georgia and was selected by the Wild Things in the third round. Riley is a recent graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University, where he was 5-2 with a 1.52 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 19 walks in 52 innings this year.
The Washington Wild Things open the 2006 season in Chillicothe on May 24. The home opener is scheduled for May 27 when the Beach Bums travel to Falconi Field. Season and group packages as well as individual game tickets are available at the Falconi Field box office or by calling 724-250-9555.
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