LHP Simonitsch Released by Minnesota Twins

New Britain Rock Cats Press Release

New Britain, CT – The New Britain Rock Cats announced this afternoon that LHP Errol Simonitsch, a 25-year-old Glendale, CA native who spent portions of three different seasons playing in New Britain, has been released by the Rock Cats' parent organization, the Minnesota Twins.

The New Britain fan and clubhouse favorite had his career set back by a shoulder injury that was discovered near the conclusion of the Twins' 2007 Spring Training. The 6'4"/230-pound southpaw was Minnesota's 6th Round selection in the 2003 Draft out of Gonzaga University.

Simonitsch made his first appearance in New Britain in 2005 when, following his June 22nd promotion from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League, he went 6-5 in his Eastern League debut season. Combined with his 8 victories at Fort Myers, his 14 total wins that year was the most of any pitcher in the entire Minnesota minor league system. He returned to the Hardware City in 2006 and led the club with 26 starts and 148.2 total innings worked. As the staff workhorse, he compiled an 8-14 record and his 22 decisions were the team high.

After starting the 2007 Season on New Britain's Disabled List, Simonitsch was returned to Extended Spring Training in Florida to continue his rehabilitation. He eventually was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Twins and then Ft. Myers where he finished strong, posting a combined 5-0 record and 3.72 ERA in 10 games.

After rejoining the Rock Cats on May 12th of this year, Simonitsch made six starts and compiled a 1-4 record with a 9.96 ERA. He allowed 49 hits and 12 walks while striking out 17 in 28 innings. His sole New Britain victory this year came last week in Altoona, PA; his final defeat came just last night at home when, against the same Altoona team, he surrendered 12 hits and seven Runs over five-plus innings of work.

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In related news, Luke Hughes was placed on the disabled list and RHP Yohan Pino was reactivated.

The 23-year-old Hughes was placed on the Disabled List (6/9) with a strained left groin; the 24-year-old Pino is returning to active status (6/10) after having been disabled on May 16 with a strained right shoulder.

Hughes has been New Britain's top offensive player since Opening Day/2008. He goes to the DL as one of the Eastern League's top hitters; he holds a .335 BA while also being either in sole possession or tied for the League lead in a range of offensive categories from Home Runs (13) to Slugging Percentage (.618) to Runs Scored (41). Hughes appeared in 47 total games for the 2008 Rock Cats and collected 64 Hits.

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· Matt Tolbert had the cast on his left hand removed and he's now donning a splint on his surgically repaired left thumb. Twins field manager Ron Gardenhire said Wednesday that a best-case scenario would have Tolbert back playing Aug. 1.

· Shortstop Adam Everett's stress reaction in his right shoulder has not calmed down as quickly as the club hoped. Everett likely will not begin a throwing program until after the team returns from its current road trip.

· Gardenhire said Wednesday that he still expects his team to reduce its pitching staff from 13 to 12 following Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Altoona crushs Rock Cats, Wings route Bulls

Altoona 10 at New Britain 2

W: D. Hankins (1-2, 4.17); L: E. Simonitsch (1-4, 9.96)
HR: ALT: B. Corley (6). NBR: E. Lis (5).

A day off did little for the New Britain Rock Cats who got pulverized by the Altoona Curve, 10-2. Errol Simonitsch gave up 7 runs (earned) on 13 hits while striking out 4 over 5 innings. Zach Ward got tagged for 3 more runs on 4 hits and a walk over the next 2 innings.

Simo couldn't wait to get out of the Fort Myers Federal Penitentiary earlier this year; I wonder if he wants back in yet.

New Britain would score in the bottom of the 3rd when Drew Butera was hit by a pitch with two outs. A wild pitch by Derek Hankins moved him to 2nd. Felix Molina would reach on a fielding error by Altoona first baseman Jason Delaney which also allowed Butera to come home. It would tie up the game after Brad Corely homered in the second inning, this sixth of the season.

The fourth would see the Curve putting four runs on the board with Anthony Webster, Jason Bowers and Shelby Ford all doubling, and Jason Delaney and Luis Cruiz getting picking up singles of Simonitsch.

Simo would come out for the sixth inning and give up a double to Cruz and singles to Bowers and Miguel Perez before Zach Ward would come out of the bullpen. Ward would get Shelby Ford to ground into a double play, but Melvin Dorta doubled to bring in Bowers for the second run of the inning.

Ward would walk Delaney and allow singles to Webster and Cruz to load the bases in the top of the 7th. Bowers fly ball single scored Delaney. Perez would get hit by a pitch to force in another run, and Ford's ground out would plate Cruz for the 3rd run.

Trailing by nine, the Cats finally found another run in the bottom of the 9th then Erik Lis hit is 5th home run of the season. Brock Peterson would double and Matt Moses single, but David Winfree and Dustin Martin both popped out to end the inning.

Ryan Mullins (5-4, 3.48) is reported to be the unlucky recipient of a trip to the mound tonight for the Rock Cats, while the Curve counter with former Rock Cat Josh Hill (4-6, 3.94).

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Durham 2 at Rochester 14

W: F. Liriano (2-2, 3.94); L: C. Mason (2-7, 5.32)
HR: DUR: J. Weber (5). ROC: D. McDonald (9), B. Buscher (8), R. Ruiz (8), J. Morales (4).

The Rochester Red Wings provided plenty of support for Francisco Liriano to pick up his second win of the season as they crushed the Durham Bulls, 14-2.

Liriano limited the Bulls to 1 run on six hits and a walk while striking out 7 in six innings worth of work. Caisey Daigle worked 2 innings of relief, allowing 1 hit and fanning 2.

Fernando Perez singled in the top of the 1st, stole 2nd, then came home on Joel Guzman's line drive to right for the only run Liriano would allow.

Ryan Jorgenson, and Tommy Watkins singled, but Jason Pridie would hit into an unassisted double play. Darnell McDonald then walked, a a single to Jones brought in Jorgenson. Brian Buscher followed up by going yard to bring in 3 more, making it 4-1 Wings.

Jorgenson singled in the bottom of the fourth, then came home on a Tommy Watkins double for the fifth Red Wings run.

Buscher would reach on a throwing error in the bottom of the 5th, then come home on Randy Ruiz's eighth home run of the season, which went over the center field fence.

In the end 4 different Wings went yard. Watkins finished up 3-for-5 with a run, a pair of doubles and 3 RBIs. McDonald was 3-for-4 with 3 runs and 2 runs scored. Jorgenson was also 3-for-4 with 3 runs. Jones finished up 2-for-5 with a run and a run scored.

Howie Clark (abdominal strain) did not play and remains unavailable for at least the next few days.

RHP Philip Humber (sore right elbow) will miss his scheduled start Wednesday as a precautionary measure, and reliever Julio DePaula (1-2, 5.94) will make the spot start. The Bulls will send out RHP Jeff Niemann (2-2, 3.65).

The Red Wings and Batavia Muckdogs both landed in the top 25 of all Minor League Baseball clubs for merchandise sales in 2007.

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The Twins have signed six players from the 2008 First-Year Player draft: second round pick (60th overall), Tyler Ladendorf, an infielder from Howard College, third round pick Bobby Lannigan, a right handed pitcher from Adelphi University, 10th round pick Evan Bigley, an outfielder from Dallas Baptist University, 13th round pick Michael Harrington, an outfielder from College of Charleston, 21st round pick Steve Blevins, a righthanded pitcher from Marshall University and 25th round pick Alex Curry, a righthander from Cypress College. All six players have reported to the Lee County Sports Complex in Ft. Myers, where the Twins Mini-Camp started Tuesday.

New Britain struck by Thunder, 10-3

Trenton 13 at New Britain 3

W: M. Melancon (2-0, 1.84); L: E. Simonitsch (0-3, 12.18)
HR: NBR: L. Hughes (12), B. Peterson (5).

Not surprisingly, the Trenton Thunder demolished the New Britain Rock Cats 13-3. Errol Simonitsch is clearly not himself and well my initial suggestion would be to put in Kyle Aselton instead, it seems that Mr. Aselton gave up his fair share of runs as well.

Simo would give up 6 earned runs on 8 hits over 2.2 innings, while striking out 2.

Luke Hughes hit is 12th home run of the season for the Cats to start out the bottom of the first. Simonitsch had managed to get through the first inning unscathed, but the second, well...

Kevin Russo doubled with one out on the board, followed by back-to-back singles by Jose Tabata and P.J. Pilittere, which plated Trenton's right fielder. Chris Malec then double to drive in the pair. Reegie Corona's single would move Malac to 3rd and Ramiro Pena would sacrifice him in for 4 runs.

That Simo went back out to the mound in the 3rd in is surprising.

Colin Curtis singled. Edwar Gonzalez ground out which moved Curtis to 2nd. A wild pitch moved Curtis to 3rd and he was doubled in by Russo. Tabata struck out swinging. Pilittere singled to bring in Russo and Jason Miller - for the Rock Cats, of course. Sarasota's native son gave up a single to Malec, who tried to stretch it for a double and was taken out at 2nd.

Brock Peterson in the bottom of the 4th would homer to give the Cats another run, in what seemed a lesson in futility.

Russo would reach on a throwing error by third baseman Toby Gardenhire. Tabata and P.J. Pilittere both singled before Malec ground into a force out that plated Russo and took Pilittere out at 2nd. Corona would reach on a fielding error by Miller before the lefty got Pena and Jackson out on strikes.

Gardenhire would single in the bottom of the fifth, move to 2nd on a Jeff Christy ground out and to came home on Hughes line drive to right. Unfortunately, this failed to spark the Rock Cats at all.

Aselton would replace Miller in the top of the 7th, and got through the inning despite a single to Malec and second fielding error by Gardenhire that saw Corona reach. Jackson and Curtis would both single in the 8th. Gonazalez hit into a force out, but Jackson scored on the play. A throwing error by Hughes allowed Gonzalez to progress to 2nd, but Russo and Tabata where taken out on strikes.

Trevor Plouffe would walk in the bottom of the 8th and Eric Lis would double but both would be left stranded.

Pilittere and Malec both hit singles to start out the top of the 9th. Corona ground into a force out, and Pena was walked to load the bags. Jackson reached on a force attempt that allowed Pilittere to score. Curtis singled to bring in Corona and Pena, and Gonazalez singled to bring in Jackson. Armando Gabino was brought in as well, to the mound, to replace Aselton. He'd get Russo to fly out and Tabata to ground out to end the Thunder's attack.

Down by 10 runs, Dustin Martin would single off Eric Wordekemper to start off the inning. 2 outs later, Luke Hughes would walk, but Plouffe flew out to center to end the game.

Steve Tolleson was 2-for-3 with a walk, while Hughes was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run and 2 RBIs. The Cats managed only 8 hits to Trenton's 21 and five errors hurt them as well.

Much as they dislike the idea, the two teams face off today for a 1:35 PM game. Jason Jones (7-1, 2.36) will start for Trenton, while Oswaldo Sosa (2-4, 6.46) will handle the pitching for New Britain.

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Pending Pinstripes Blog
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Who writes these things? According to the Rock Cats.com farm report "David Bromberg also starred in May (2-0, 3.03, 38 K, 29.2 IP) for the Miracle." I wonder if he knows this?

Sea Dogs Rock Cats Pitching Staff

New Britain 11 at Portland 15

W: K. Jackson (3-0, 5.08); L: E. Simonitsch (0-2, 10.67)
HR: NBR: E. Lis (4), D. Butera (2). POR: B. Bell (7), S. Madera (4).

Monday's game at Hadlock Field proved to be less than memorable for the New Britain Rock Cats. Sure, they had offense - knocking out 11 runs on 12 hits. But their pitching failed them, including a 10-run fifth inning.

Steve Tolleson led off the game with a double to left, and moved to 3rd on a Luke Hughes single. Erik Lis would send a ground ball to center scoring Tolleson to put the Cats on the board first.

The first tremor of things to come came in the bottom of the second. Sandy Madera and Aaron Bates hit back-to-back singles off starter Errol Simonistch. Bubba Bell then sent his 7th home run of the season over the center field wall to give the Dogs three.

Hughes would draw a walk with 2 outs on the board in the top of the 3rd. David Winfree sent a long single to center field that got Hughes to the plate, to cut the Dogs lead to just one.

In the top of the 4th, Trevor Plouffe would reach on fielding error by shortstop Ryan Khoury. Evidently it was a bad day for Khoury as Toby Gardenhire also made his way onto the bags when Khoury fumbled his play a second time. After a pop out to Drew Butera, Tolleson took a walk to load the bags. The Dogs would bring in pitcher Kyle Jackson to replace Matthew Goodson to get them out of the jam, but a single by Matt Moses put two more over the plate to give the Cats a one run lead.

Jeff Corsaletti struck out to start out the bottom of the fifth. Then the wheels came off. Tony Granadillo singled and Zach Daeges took a walk. Medera went yard for the 4th time this season over the center field wall to give the Dogs another three. Bates and Bell hit back-to-back singles, and the pair would be plated by Mark Wagner's double. Andrew Pinckney hit a single to bring in Wagner for the for the sixth run of the inning. At this point, Simonitisch was pulled from the mound in favor of Jay Sawatski, which, given Jay's record on the season was a questionable move at best. However Sawatski would get Khoury out on strikes before allowing a single to Corsaletti. Granadillo then doubled to drive in 2 more, and Daeges followed that up with his own double to bring in Granadillo. A fielding error by Gardenhire at 2nd allowed Madera to reach and Daeges to score before Bates would strike out swinging to end the slaughter.

How do you bounce back from that? Well, you start by letting Plouffe take walk. Gardehire singled to follow him onto the bags and Drew Butera put one over the center field wall, his second yarder of the season, but bring in three. Tolleson would strike out swinging for the first out, but Moses followed that up with a walk. Hughes struck out swinging for the second out, but Lis would go yard to bring in 2 more runs. Winfree walked and after a pitching change which brought Chad Rhoades to the mound, so did Dustin Martin. Plouffe then singled to drive in Winfree, but Gardenhire's ground out ended the inning, leaving the Cats with some catching up to do.

Jason Miller replaced Sawatski in the bottom of the 7th, and allowed a double to Corsaletti to start off. Granadillo would single to bring in the runner, and advance to 2nd on a fielding error by Matt Moses. Daeges singled but Madera ground into a double play, which still brought in Granadillo, giving the Dogs a total of 15 runs.

The Cats needed five, but would only find one when Plouffe doubled in Winfree.

Lis would lead the offense, going 2-for-3 with 3 walks, 1 run and 3 RBIs. Plouffe would go 2-for-4 with a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. and Tolleson was 2-for-5 with a walk and a run, but also struck out 3 times. Moses batted in two while Butera plated three. Hughes was 1-for-5 with a walk, a run and a pair of strike outs.

Simonitsch saw his average balloon to 10.67 after allowing 10 earned runs on 11 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 4 over 4.1 innings. Sawatski was charged for the 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits and 3 walks over 1.2 innings.

Anxious to put the Sea Dogs behind them, the Cats will now scamper back to New Britain Stadium to face the Connecticut Defenders for a 6:35 PM game on Tuesday. I have no doubt they will be screaming for help from Fort Myers despite the fact that the FSL All-Star break is still two weeks away.

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Cats fall in extra innings

New Britain 6 at Binghamton 7

W: E. Camacho (2-2, 2.05); L: B. Julianel (0-2, 3.05)
HR: NBR: L. Hughes (10). BIN: S. Paniagua (1).

It appears the the Twins were unhappy with Yohan Pino's last performance and according to New Britain Herald writer Ken Lipshez in his blog Lip Service, he was skipped Thursday in favor of Errol Simonitsch, fresh off the disabled list after a very brief (one game) stint in Fort Myers.

The strategy didn't work to well for the road kill Rock Cats who, despite the change in pitchers and despite return of Luke Hughes to the line up, still lost to Binghamton, 6-7.

Simonitsch would surrender 5 runs, 4 earned on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 5 innings.

Hughes opened up the game with a home run in the first inning. Steve Tolleson followed that up with a single then stole 2 and 3rd with David Winfree at the plate. Winfree would ground out, but Tolleson came home on the play. Following a fly out to Brock Peterson, Trevor Plouffe drew a walk then stole second. Erik Lis would hit a double to plate Plouffe. Toby Gardenhire followed that up with a single, but the runners would be stranded when Felix Molina ground out.

Still a 3-run first seemed like a pretty good way to start the game. A fielding error by Gardenhire at 3rd let Jose Coronado reach for the Mets. Simo would walk Jonathan Malo and a bunt single by Dan Murphy would load the bases. Nick Evans would fly out, while Coronado would score on a Caleb Stewart ground out. Ambiorix Conception ground out to end the inning, with the Cats still maintaining their lead.

Drew Butera doubled to open up the top of the 2nd and Hughes would reach on a fielding error by Murphy. Tolleson ground into a force out that scored Butera, but that was all the New Britain squad would find in that inning, with a pair of fly outs to Winfree and Peterson retiring the side.

Salomon Manriquez doubled off Simonitsch, who then walked Emmanual Garcia. Salvador Paniagua went yard over the left field fence to tie up the game. Two outs later, Murphy singled then stole 2nd. Evans would triple him in to give the B-Mets the lead.

The Cats took it back in the 3rd though with Plouffe singling and Lis doubling. Gardenhire's bunt single scored Plouffe and Molina sacrificed in Lis.

Simo would get through the next three innings well enough despite allowing a triple to Malo in the bottom of the 4th. Kyle Aselton would come on in the bottom of the sixth and allow a triple to Garcia. Still, following a strike out to Paniagua, Gardenhire would make the play at home to Butera to take the runner out, allowing Corando to reach on a fielder's choice, preserving the Rock Cats' lead.

It was short lived. A single to Evans and a double to Stewart in the bottom of the seventh lead to the tying run when Concepcion hit a grounder to short. Armando Gabino would be brought in to replace Aselton to get the final two outs in the inning.

Despite a push in the ninth to get the winning run over the plate, the Cats came up empty and the game headed to extra innings.

In the bottom of the 11th, Murphy would double. Evans follow-up single would plate him for the game winning run.

The Cats lick their wounds and return back to New Britain Stadium, where they will take on the Portland Sea Dogs in a four game series, including a split-game double header on Saturday.

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Strike Out for Troops

I appologize for my lack of posts, but I'm getting over Strep throat -- I'm down to the nasty summer cold stuff now, and have been sleeping rather a lot.

This article showed up in the Herald today and reminded me that I forgot to include in my article on Errol Simonitsch:

Barry Zito providing for troops

It seems Zito is not the only one with a generous soul.

Miracle pitcher Errol Simonitsch has pleged $10 per strike out to SFT this season. He and Zito share an agent.

If you don't think that sounds like a lot, consider this: Simonitsch had 9 strikeouts Sunday for a total of $90. Yet he only makes around $250 a week and needs to provide not only his food and personal expenses, but his housing from that amount as well.

Drafted in the Sixth round of the 2003 draft, Simonitsch joined the team with a modest $140,000 signing bonus. He's not rich by any means. Yet when he heard about this deal well...

"It was just something I had to do." he says.

Simonitsch is not the only Miracle member contributing. Catcher Kyle Phillips, taken in the 19th round of the 2002 draft, has pledged $10 per hit.

"I'm not donating too much though, as I'm not getting any hits," he says. It's a stituation he hopes to change.

Phillips donation was only $50 last week, a total of $200 to date.

Simonitsch's $470 though is outstanding for a minor league player.

Miracle pitcher gives $10 per strike to troops

Strikeouts for Troops was at William Hammond Stadium Sunday to watch Simonitsch pitch and accept donations.

You can pledge per pitch if you want, or just make a one time donation. To get involved, visit their website at www.strikeoutsfortroops.org which unfortunatly, seems to largely ignore the minor league contribution to this effort.

If you're "pitching" in with a donation, please also take a moment to "pitch" in and write to kathy@kj-pr.com and ask her to include minor league content on their website.

Hang tight, I should have some updates coming shortly including a feature on a little known minor league prospect.

While, your waiting, also check out GCL Twins for an interview with minor league pitching prospect Eduardo Morlan which was included in a recent edition of At the Yard magazine.