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Indians’ draft picks set to debut with Scrappers
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Mahoning Valley Scrapper pitcher J.P. Feyereisen, a recent draftee, talks with Madison Bucko, 9, of Austintown, Thursday during the team’s media day at Eastwood Field in Niles. Madison will throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener Tuesday against the Auburn Doubledays. The season opener is tonight against the Jammers in Jamestown, N.Y.
TRIBE DRAFT PICKS TO DEBUT WITH SCRAPPERS
By Steve Ruman
NILES
For David Speer, Austin Fisher and J.P. Feyereisen, the waiting truly was the hardest part. Now that the wait is over, the trio hope that their patience is rewarded with a successful summer at Eastwood Field.
Speer, Fisher and Feyereisen were among the 28 players present Thursday when the Mahoning Valley Scrappers hosted media day. All three were recently drafted by the Cleveland Indians, and were assigned to the Scrappers earlier this week.
The Scrappers open their season tonight at Jamestown. The game will mark the first of a four-game series against the Jammers.
Speer was drafted by the Indians last Saturday in the final day of the June draft. Just days earlier, the left-handed pitcher earned a degree in economics and political science at Columbia University.
“It’s been a crazy week,” Speer said. “Heading into the last day of the draft, I didn’t know where or if my name would be called. I had a few teams show interest, but the Indians weren’t really one of them. I was shocked when I saw my name come up on the internet. I couldn’t be happier.”
When informed that he would be playing for the Scrappers, Speer admitted that he had to again turn to the internet for information.
“Honestly, I didn’t know where Mahoning Valley was,” Speer said. “I had to go to Google maps. Then it was like, bang, bang, bang. Book a flight, get here, get a physical and two days later I’m in uniform.”
This past spring, Speer went 7-2 with a 1.86 ERA at Columbia. In 87 innings, he recorded 75 strikeouts while issuing just seven walks.
Fisher was selected in the 13th round of the June draft out of Kansas State. The infielder batted .300 with the Wildcats this spring as a junior. He played third base as a freshman, but was moved to shortstop the past two seasons.
“I like the shortstop position, but I’ll play wherever they want me to play,” Fisher said. “I’m just thrilled to be here. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove myself.”
Like Speer, Fisher’s transition from college to professional baseball was quick and to the point.
“It’s like, yesterday I was in Kansas and today I’m here,” Fisher said. “I think the longest part of the process was being delayed in the Chicago airport for almost five hours.”
Feyereisen was a 16th-round selection out of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The right-handed pitcher compiled a 15-5 record in 36 appearances, including 26 starts, with a 3.05 ERA while at UWSP.
“Every day growing up you dream to play professional baseball,” Feyereisen said. “I was pretty small in high school, and caught up junior and senior year, but playing pro never came to my mind until this past year.
“Then all of a sudden, I’m drafted, signed, on a plane and here all in the span of a couple of days.”
The Scrappers’ 28-man opening day roster includes 10 players who previously played in the Mahoning Valley. Among them are catcher Martin Cervenka and outfielders Joel Mejia and Josh McAdams, all mainstays in the 2013 Scrappers’ lineup.
The Scrappers will once again be guided by manager Ted Kubiak. The 72-year-old former big leaguer managed the Scrappers in 1999 and 2000. He returned in 2003, then began his third stint with the franchise in 2012.
Tonight, Kubiak will take part in what he believes is his 42nd opening night in professional baseball. He said the thrill of a new season never gets old.
“I love the game, I just love being here and having a uniform on,” Kubiak said. “I love being around the guys. Where else would I be if not here?”
Following the four-game series in Jamestown, the Scrappers return to the Mahoning Valley for their home opener. They will host Auburn in a three-game set beginning Tuesday.
This marks the 16th year the Indians’ Class A affiliate of the New York-Penn League has played its home games at Eastwood Field.