Introducing Alex Twenge

Last season at the University of North Dakota, Alex Twenge struck out 14 batters in 15 innings of work, the best ratio on his Division 1 team.  Entering his sophmore year with UND, he looks to continue honing his curveball and cutter which Prospects scouts already tout as "plus pitches".

Before he makes his way out to Edmonton this summer, he kindly agreed to answer a few questions to help introduce himself to Prospect fans.

Name: Alex Twenge Hometown: Minnetonka, MN

 

1st choice position: Pitcher

 

2nd choice position: Catcher (caught the last 30 games for my squad last year and hit .275 with 2 HR's. They converted me to just a pitcher this year.)

 

Organized Baseball: Ive been playing organized baseball since I was 3.

 

Favorite MLB team now and growing up: Yankees

 

Favorite MLB player growing up/currently: Jorge Posada/Robinson Cano

 

What's your game? My strengths in the game of baseball are that I am a very vocal person and I will do whatever I can to help the team. If helping the team win includes me running 3 miles in bare feet, I will start running right away. Also I throw a lot of strikes which helps the defense stay active and keeps the game moving.

 

First thing you will buy after signing a million dollar contract? I would probably purchase either a new car or maybe a new house

 

Favorite TV show: Always Sunny in Philadelphia

 

Favorite Movie(s): American Gangster, The Other Guys, Green Street Hooligans

 

Superhero and Power: Hulk and super strength

Many Reasons for Optimism

Going into last season, the Edmonton Prospects featured one Division 1 player.  His name was Grant Glasser and he lead the team in Batting Average, Runs, Hits, Walks and Stolen Bases while finishing second on the team in Doubles, Homeruns and RBI.

The competition level at each roster spot has never been so deep for a Prospects club looking to snap its WMBL playoff drought. Entering the 2013 season, the Edmonton Prospects will be featuring fourteen (14) Division 1 players.  The best part of the upcoming summer is the other 13 players on the roster, will be just as hungry to prove themselves and have their names pencilled into the starting lineup on a nightly basis. 

Pitching

Adam Lambrecht and Adam Moorse come to Edmonton from North Dakota State while Alex Twenge comes from the University of North Dakota.  Tommy Harding and Houston Edwards come to Edmonton from Grand Canyon University. Joining them in the battle for the starting rotation spots will be Joey Bergandi from the University of San Diego and the opening day starter for Chapman University, Justin Hanks.

Tossing from the left side of the mound for the Prospects will be big 6 foot 7 left hander Caleb Henley of UNC Greenboro and Canadians Cory Duggan and Taylor Metzger.

Quality Canadian arms are in abundance this upcoming season as the Prospects will also feature Byryn Murphy, Tyler Harrison, and Connor Girard.

Catcher

Dwight Mack, a 2012 & 2011 All-Western Dakota Association selection and 2012 Class A state champion, looks to bring his big lefty bat to the heart of the Prospects order. Quoting Dwight Mack himself, "If we can score runs then winning games will just take care of itself." 

Nathan de la Feraude,  who Represented Team Canada at the 2005 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa, also has experience pitching the ball in the British Columbia Premier Baseball League.  He is the opening day starting catcher for Chicago State University.

Logan Wedgewood (originally from Edmonton) and Antonio Paolini will spend March through May in friendly competition for playing time at Douglas College in preparation for the Prospects season.

Infield

Andy Wicklund, a former Apollo Award winner—an honor that recognizes Hopkin's High School’s outstanding male senior athlete and Daniel Lockhert look to lock up their respective spots in the middle infield.  Lockhert's former high school coach is quoted in their local paper The Daily Dunklin Democrat as saying "Very good player that hits very well.  He was consistently getting better in the field when he left us. From what we understand he's really kept improving and he's going to be an outstanding player..."

 

Possibly manning the hot corner for the Prospects, a four sport athlete (rugby, basketball, and volleyball in addition to baseball) in which he earned MVP honors in each sport.  Greg Rodgers, one of two Canadian Division 1 players, looks to keep building on his stellar junior career.

This still leaves the Prospects with Creighton University's Tommy Clouthier, UNC Greensboro's Sean Guite and U of San Diego's Conner Jauch as Division 1 players to rotate in and out of the starting in-field.

The wildcard in the competition for playing time in the in-field is Sherwood Park's Tony Olson.  To borrow words from http://www.collegebaseballconnect.ca/ "Will layout and make highlight reel plays but is also consistent on the same hand.  Outstanding character student and player"

Outfield

 

Dean Olson, Tony's twin brother, "tracks the baseball down with above average routes and takes really good angles. Throwing arm is above average as far as throwing to bases and throws a large numbers of base runners out." via http://www.collegebaseballconnect.ca/

Brandon Mikulka of Creighton University, holds the record at Ponderosa High School for career Homeruns.  A left handed hitter with some power, a potential lethal combination this upcoming season for the Prospects.

Connor Battaglia, who led the Chapman University Panthers in batting average (.330) in 2012, also batted an impressive .378 with runners in scoring position.  The Prospects look forward to that type of clutch hitting this upcoming season.

Bryn Redhead led his Junior College team last season in team batting average at .338.  His versatility will be key to the Prospects as he has spent time at Catcher and both in-field corner positions.

June cannot get here fast enough!!

 

 

Caleb Henley

Introducing our third player, and first pitcher, Prospects fans please meet Caleb Henley. 

I am sure you would not believe if I just typed it, so here is a link to a bio of his, http://www.uncgspartans.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/bios/henley_caleb_ltie Yes, you read that correctly, Caleb stands 6 foot 7!!

He was kind enough to answer a few questions, here are his answers:

Name Caleb Henley

Nicknames? The Big Cat or Tiny

Hometown Salisbury, NC, USA

How long have you been a pitcher? 5 years

 

Who is your favorite MLB team? New York Yankees

Who is your favorite MLB player currently? CC Sabathia

You have also played football (offensive tackle and defensive end). Who you got in the Superbowl? Im going Ravens all the way because of my teammates from Maryland Christian Wolfe, Corey Taylor, and Dom Vattuone said thats how its going to be

What is your favorite Minor League Baseball fan promotion that you have heard of? Post game Fireworks

 

Thanks Caleb

 

TEAM NUGGET:  Be sure to sign up for the Prospects Newsletter (link is on the home page just under the Twitter logo) to be the first to know where the Prospects will be playing this summer.

Joining the Massacure

"It is no longer about cancer killing kids….It's about kids killing cancer!" Kyrsti MacDonald (Kali's sister)

This Valentine's Day marks the 11th year for the Hair Massacure event.  During the inaugraul year, there were 48 "proud victims" and $37,000 was raised for the Kids with Cancer Society.  Last year, there were over 2000 "proud victims" and $1.3 MILLION was raised.

With your Prospect players away in their respective colleges, I am stepping up to bat for your Prospects and becoming a "proud victim" to support this wonderful cause.  If you wish to support us supporting the Hair Massacure, the on-line registration page for donations is at the following link, https://www.registrationlogic.com/hairmassacure/Fundraiser.aspx?F=2041  If you wish to know more about the Hair Massacure, here is a link to their website, http://hairmassacure.com/

I will be getting "pinked" at Detailz Hair Salon this Friday at 11AM.  Detailz is located at 13708 Castledowns road.  Every customer going "pink" at Detailz will receive a 2 for 1 voucher valid for any regular season Prospect game this summer.

Meet Your Assistant Coaches

KRIS PACKWOOD
 

Personal:

I feel there is a time and place for everything in life and on the diamond including: having fun, being focused, and working hard.

I will not ask anything of our players that I would not ask of myself. I plan to lead by example and take complete part of all the conditioning and training which I ask them to do .

I am a firm believer in the power of positivity!  I am a fierce competitor in everything I do and want nothing more but to help our players reach their maximum potential and grow as athletes and human beings.

Career:

I attended Newport Harbor High School and graduated in 2006. I came in a scrawny 6 foot 100 pound kid who was told he would not even make the freshman squad. By the time I graduated senior year I had led the entire Sea View League in strikeouts per inning.

As a sophomore on Junior Varsity we had a rookie head coach with no experience in the sport. I took the initiative to basically be player/coach making the majority of the lineups, pitching changes, and rotations. As a senior I was the unofficial scorekeeper that did all the statistics, score keeping, defensive positioning, and player match ups. I was rewarded at our end of the year banquet where I received the only scholarship our school hands out in baseball.

Currently I am about to finish my Associate of Arts degree at Orange Coast College and working on transferring to get my bachelors in business administration.

JEFF LONEY

 

 

 Personal:

 

I went to Huntington Beach High School with Head Coach Cameron and played with him until we graduated in 2006. Playing with Cam was a blast and he always kept guys in the game.

 

I bring a good understanding of the game and hope to help players not only be in the right place and do the right thing, but know WHY they are doing these things.  I enjoy seeing young college players develop around me.

 

I will be coaching either first or third this summer with the Prospects. Playing 3rd base in high school and first base now in college, I will work with the corner infielders in depth about positioning, bunt defenses and footwork around the bag.

 

There is a reason for doing everything on the baseball field and Coach McMullen, myself, and the rest of the staff have already discussed how we want to be very efficient with the Prospects. I love the game of baseball and cannot wait to be up in Edmonton to help the Prospects win this summer!

 

 

Career:

 

 After graduating in 2006 I had not talked to anyone about continuing playing and my high school coach asked if I would help out with our incoming freshman camp and from there he offered me to join the staff and coach the lower levels. I went on to coach the Freshman team for 4 years at Hunting Beach High School and coaching the JV team during the summers. I also coached with a couple different travel teams from Huntington Beach ranging in all ages.

 

In the spring of 2010 I felt like I still had life in my legs and I began to find a place to play.  I landed in Raleigh, North Carolina at Wake Tech CC. I have been in Raleigh since the Fall of 2010 playing for the Eagles.

 

After the fall season of 2011, circumstances led me to have to focus on working instead of school and the head coach knowing my experience with the game and leadership with the team asked me to join the team in an assistant coach role. So for the 2012 season I was the assistant coach/ first base coach for Wake Tech. I re-enrolled and began playing again this fall and am ready to play this 2013 season before joining the Prospects this summer. 

 

AARON PINES

 

Personal:

Myself and coach Loney will be splitting the roles of base and defense coach. The last two years I have coached 3rd base at Rancho Alamitos HS and I played every position other than first base during my baseball career.

Career:
 

2B CF at Garden Grove High School(2006); 2B OF at Golden West JC (07-09) 2B at Chapman University (10-11)

 

Assistant football and baseball coach at Rancho Alamitos High School 2011-present.

 

Assistant coach for Seattle Mariners scout team 2011-present

       



Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Bryn Redhead

The mantra for your 2013 Edmonton Prospects is simple, best season ever! 

A step to accomplishing this feat is by bringing in some quality players from right here in Alberta.

 Last season, he led his Junior College team (the Rainy River Community College located in International Falls, Minnesota) in team batting average at .338.

Without further adieu, I introduce you to Bryn Redhead.

Name:  Bryn Redhead Nickname: Brynner
  
Hometown:  Leduc, Alberta

What do you feel are your strengths in the game of baseball?  How do you think this will help the Prospects prosper in the new season?  

Being able to play any type of role, on both sides of the ball and being able to think the game.

I just hope to bring my skills to the table this summer and help the Prospects win in whatever role I play.

Position: Utility based
Split time behind the plate and at 3rd base last year for my Junior College.  Spent all of my time behind the plate for my summer team.  This year I will split time behind the plate and at first base with some time in the outfield when needed.

When did you start playing organized baseball? Have played organized since I was 5

Favorite MLB team? Blue Jays

Who was your favorite MLB player growing up? Ken Griffey JR

 Who is your favorite MLB player currently? Brett Lawrie

First thing you will buy after signing a million dollar contract?  I would buy my parents plane tickets to my first game.

What's in the game console right now? The Show 2012, my roommates/teammates and I have some pretty heated battles.

Favorite Movie? Slap Shot
  
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be?  I would like to have super brain powers and be ridiculously smart.

Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Dwight Mack

Your 2013 Edmonton Prospects look to learn from the experiences of years past and reward our fans patience by the making the upcoming season, the best season yet!

Prospects General Manager Tracy Neumann and new Head Coach Cameron McMullen have their first roster player signed and his name is Dwight Mack.

Mack, from the North Dakota baseball program, comes with the following accolades:

1. 2011 American Legion state champion
2. 2011 Class A First Team All-State selection
3.  2012 & 2011 All-Western Dakota Association selection
4. 2012 Class A state champion.

The following is a transcript of an interview between Dwight Mack and myself.

 Name: Dwight Mack Nickname: Wighty

 

Hometown: Mandan, North Dakota

 

What do you feel are your strengths in the game of baseball?  How do you think this will help the Prospects prosper in the new season?  

 

I have always felt that my strengths come on the offensive side of the baseball. Being a left handed hitter sure gives me some advantages. Through the past couple years I have hit in the 2, 3, or 4 spot which usually carries a very big role. The last two seasons of playing American Legion baseball I hit just shy of .400 and this previous season nearly .450 also leading our team to a state championship in 2011. 

 

I think this will help the Prospects in a lot of ways. Offense is a very big part of the game. If we can score runs then winning games will just take care of itself.

 

Primary Position: Catcher

 

Secondary Position: I spent a lot of time at 3^rd this last summer while recovering from a broken thumb.

 

When did you start playing organized baseball? Just after I turned 4 years old.

Favorite MLB team growing up?  When I was little I loved watching the Los Angeles Angels

 

Favorite MLB team now? I normally don’t pick favorites when it comes to professional sports but if I had to I would go with the Minnesota Twins.

 

Who was your favorite MLB player growing up?  Darin Erstad was always my favorite player.

 

Who is your favorite MLB player currently?   When Erstad retired I began following Joe Mauer beings he is a catcher like myself and a quite successful one I might add.

  

Fun Stuff

 

First thing you will buy after signing a million dollar contract?  The first thing I will buy with a million dollar contract is a 1969 Chevelle SS.

 

What's in the game console right now?  In the game console right now happens to be Super Mario Kart. Me and my teammates have a lot of good clean fun trash talking while on the race track.

 

Favorite Movie? Either be Miracle (1980 USA Miracle on ice) or For Love of the Game.

 

If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be?  If I could have a super power it would be to fly. There are so many things we could do if we could get up and fly with the birds.