Spring Training Week 1

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Spring Training Week 1

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CRYSTAL LAKE HERALD

SPORTS – GNATS NOW
Spring Training Week 1
Updated: March 17, 2024 – 11:30AM CDT

By Howard Heskin, Staff Writer – Twitter @HowardHeskin1

The opening week of Spring Training brought joy to Crystal Lake fans excited to see a bunch of young hungry faces ready to contribute and make their mark in Great Lakes baseball.

Most notably was the devastating news that Jon Browning would need to undergo Tommy John surgery. The medical staff estimates that he will be ready to re-join the team by the beginning of the 2026 season. Sadly, this was to be Browning's year to contribute as a member of the Active Roster. He was slotted to be the long reliever and spot starter this season. After the club invested sending him to Winter Ball in the 2024 pre-season to learn a new pitch, Browning posted an 8-5 record with a 3.84 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in AAA. He was called up at the end of last season posting a 4-1 record in 34.1 innings pitched in PEBA ball.

"We really believed Jon would be the anchor of our bullpen this season. He's a guy that would give us the depth we need in those dog days of summer. We've sent him out to orthopedic specialist Dr. Izquierdo to perform surgery this week. These days Tommy Johns doesn't mean the end of your career. At almost 25 years old, Jon will be back." stated GM Ermola.

This week saw strong performances by Miguel Cantú who pitched 4 strong innings in his Crystal Lake debut.

Newly acquired catcher Noriyuki Suzuki hit 2 home runs this week and crowd favorite RF Jarrod 'Merlin' Ricks knocked in another. 2B Jim 'Bizarre' Klein chipped in with 3 doubles. Most impressively, newly acquired RF/DH Colin Crow posted a 1.351 OPS in 11 plate appearances.

Top prospect 3B Ed Brown impressed with his 11 plate appearances going .400/.455/.500 and scoring 3 runs.

Crystal Lake will continue Spring Training this week with 5 games and starting pitchers increasing their pitch counts from 50 to 75.
RJ Ermola
Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations
Crystal Lake Sandgnats

*2024 PEBA Champions*
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