More from eastwood field

More from eastwood field

Roster uncertainty: Because the Indians have not yet signed their first eight draft picks — a common trend among MLB teams this summer — the Scrappers may have more roster turnover than usual in the coming weeks, Mahoning Valley GM Dave Smith said. “Usually we’ll see roster changes in the first week or so, but I think you’ll see our roster change throughout the summer.” Pitcher Jordan Cooper, a ninth round pick out of Wichita State, is the Indians’ highest pick to sign. He has been with the Scrappers since the beginning of the season. The Scrappers had eight of the Tribe’s top 10 picks last year and nine of 10 the year before. Third-year manager Travis Fryman said he’s not sure why there’s been so many holdouts this year. “Our scouts talked to me about that, that they didn’t expect to sign many before the middle of August,” he said. “It’s not something I pay a great deal of attention to. I’m focused on the guys we do get. That’s a big enough job for me without me worrying about what we offered guys.” Fryman said money is always the biggest factor in these situations. “Players are feeling out, seeing what other people sign for,” he said. “Once you get some precedents there, they tend to come in waves.”

Leading the way: Mahoning Valley’s top hitter thus far has been veteran catcher Wyatt Toregas, a 24th round draft pick in the 2004 draft out of Virginia Tech. Toregas, a 5-11, 210 pounder, is batting .375 in three games. He also leads the team in home runs (two) and runs (four) while he is second in RBIs to another Scrappers catcher, Diego Seastrunk, who leads the way with three.

Fans supportive: The Scrappers averaged nearly 3,500 fans in the three losses to Auburn, but that was dipped by a rain-threatened game Wednesday when just 1,600 were on hand.

Unlucky start: Former Phillies outfielder/broadcaster Richie “Whitey” Ashburn used to say it was bad luck to strike out the first batter of the game. In the last four games Mahoning Valley pitching has struck out the first batter of the opposing team — and lost every one.

Joe Scalzo, Pete Mollica