By now, Internet addicts should know SS Tyler Grimes is out. He will be in a cast 6-8 weeks with a broken right wrist. It will likely cancel his plans to play for Kenai (Alaska) this summer. WSU couldn’t afford any injuries and it is particularly thin on infielders. Just when the Shockers got some momentum rolling, bad news takes its chunk of flesh.
Taylor Brown will likely take over at short. It is nice to bring in an experienced (he is a sophomore with 10 starts at shortstop this season) guy who is hitting .354. Brown has played all over for WSU and considers shortstop his best position. He has led WSU in batting average most of the season and was one of the team’s few bright spots for a good chunk of 2009. He went 1 for 16 in a five-game stretch and dropped out of the starting lineup. Brown doesn’t have Grimes’ arm or quickness, but he should be solid at shortstop. Playing Chance Sossamon at third helps. His range is so good it eases some of the burden on Brown. As a hitter, WSU will miss Grimes’ pop. Brown hits for a good average, but has eight extra-base hits – all doubles. Grimes has five homers and 12 doubles. Brown will likely hit in the bottom third of the order, as he did late in the season while playing left field. He did pull a five-game stint as the leadoff guy. I would guess Will Baez will return to the leadoff spot in Grimes’ absence.
Here’s the list of summer assignments for WSU. Players not listed are likely idle for injury or summer school reasons:
Will Baez, Liberal
Dalton Banwart, Wichita Braves
Bret Bascue, Derby Twins
Taylor Brown, Wichita Braves
Mitch Caster, Liberal
Jordan Cooper, Falmouth (Mass.)
Ryan Engrav, Luray (Va.)
Brian Flynn, Rochester (Minn.)
Cobey Guy, El Dorado
Kevin Hall, Derby Twins
Remington Johnson, Newton
Ryan Jones, Falmouth (Mass.)
Tim Kelley, Santa Barbara (Calif.)
Justin Kemp, Anchorage (Alaska) Glacier Pilots
Cody Lassley, Wichita Braves
Andrew Letourneau, San Luis Obispo Blues
Charlie Lowell, Falmouth (Mass.)
Cameron Maldonado, El Dorado
Clint McKeever, Derby
Chris O’Brien, Falmouth (Mass.)
Josh Rosecrans, Liberal
Josh Smith, Hannibal (Mo.)
Johnny Coy, St. Joseph (Mo.)
2 Comments
MAN! Charlie O’Brien is back?
Good catch. I think that’s the first time I’ve done that after numerous close calls. May it be the last.