This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

[Sandgnats]

Can't wait for the first non-day Sandgnats game when we'll get 'Gnic at night' <ducks>

Haha! That's also a scary thought.

[Coqui]

This blog is full of win.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Sandgnats continue to fill role player positions this off-season.


3B Eddie Sargent

By: Stephanie Dole
January 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST

Eddie Who? Was the question today when the Sandgnats announced the organization will be trading its 7th and 11th picks for Imperial League Kentucky's 3B Eddie Sargent

The 29 year old Sargent looks to compete with the aging 34 year old 3B Henry Ellacot for playing time this season. He may also serve as a strong defensive back up at first base.

"Well we saw a move that could again increase our depth at infield this season and went for it" stated GM Ermola, while I caught him hitting the the club vending machine with his fist trying to dislodge the last Almond Joy stocked in the machine. "Now I think, I know why (Jim) Klein breaks his hand so much - this always happens to me!"

Retirees from Crystal Lake that have settled in Lake Mary, Florida will have a hometown guy to root for this season. Eddie is also familiar with the Great Lakes region as he was an collegiate All-Star with the Michigan Red Dawns. The former second round pick in 2015 has spent his entire career with Kentucky where in 5 years at third base he posted a .259/.309/.445 with 68 home runs at the PEBA level.

-- Fri Aug 19, 2016 12:58 pm --

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Season Ticket Sales Sore as Sandgnats Re-sign Crowd Favorites!

By: Stephanie Dole
January 8, 2024 at 11:00 PM EST

Sandgnats customer service has been working overtime today as the club announced contract extensions for crowd favorites 2B Jim Klein and RF Jerry Long. It was also announced that RP Jorge Martinez signed a 2-year extension. Season ticket sales have surged 12.5% with the exciting news that these star players will be with the Sandgnats into the 2025 season and beyond.



2B Jim "Bizarre" Klein signed a 1-year $9.5 Million dollar extension for the 2025 season. During his career Jim has batted .286/.366/.447. He's a sure hand at second base and the team's undisputed leader. We just pray that he does not break his hand again this upcoming season. Fans get ready for 2 more years of New Zealand musical group OMC's "How Bizzarre" when Jim comes up to bat!



RF Jerry Long signed a 3-year $21.2 million dollar extension. Jerry is a locker room favorite and leader in the outfield. The former 2019 first round pick out of Notre Dame was the 2022 PEBA SL Wunderkind Award winner. Over his short PEBA career he has batted .282/.370/.442. He's a staple at right field. In the off-season all the players visit his mother's house in Union, New Jersey for the annual team ugly sweater Christmas Party.



RP Jorge Martinez signed a 2-year $1.9 million dollar deal. The 2018 second round pick is the undisputed leader of the bullpen and well respected by his peers. With 224.1 IP, he holds a 3.21 ERA.

[roncollins]

I see our "no double post" script is running again.

I seriously don't get it.

[Sandgnats]

I see our "no double post" script is running again.

I seriously don't get it.

Well no one had commented on my last blog but I had a new post to make a couple days later...

[roncollins]

What I don't get is why we're so caught up in the double post thing that we've enforced a totally silly feature that has what is, in my opinion, somewhere between zero and negative 100 points of value.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Sandgnats Sign Yamamoto to 1-year 18.5 Million Deal


Catcher Norihide Yamamoto

By: Stephanie Dole
January 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST

After last season's infamous Grape Gatorade playoff game 7 blow-up between Catcher Norihide Yamamoto and Starting Pitcher Francisco Robles, fans wondered if Norihide would return this season. Well those questions were answered when we learned that he just signed a 1-year 18.5 Million dollar deal to return for the 2024 season.

"Well, when, I heard that Gatorade was banned by the new training staff from the clubhouse this year, I was thankful. Plus, GM Ermola gave me 18.5 big reasons to come back." Yamamoto stated at today's press conference. "I enjoyed last season here with Crystal Lake and look forward to working with this staff of professional pitchers. Also, I love "the Mayor", but I told him I dislike Grape Gatorade. I think Yogi took it the wrong way..."

Rumor has it that Robles and Yamamoto have been working with Rosetta Stone in both Japanese and English to prevent the communication break down that ended in Robles's epic meltdown at the hands of Aurora last season.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Notable Transactions for June
By: Stephanie Dole
July 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM CST

6/29/24 - Sandgnats Sign Minor League Player SS Spencer Lewis to 2-year 1.7 Million Deal


SS Spencer Lewis

6/24/24 - Sandgnats Acquire Minor League Pitcher José Carmona in trade


SS Spencer Lewis

6/18/24 - Sandgnats Sign 1st Round Pick Pitcher Jeff Green for 1.7 Million signing bonus


P Jeff Green

6/5/24 - Sandgnats Trade for Starting Pitcher Tony Cuellar


P Tony Cuellar

Looks like the Sandgnats made some moves this month planning for the future. Notably was the deal to sign prospect SS Spencer Lewis to a 2 year 1.7 million dollar deal. Some are wondering if this was in preparation in case Juan Hernandez moves on in free agency this coming off season. Lewis was acquired in April as a minor league free agent after spending the 2023 season with Manchester. The 25 year old has posted stellar numbers in AA and AAA ball this season. Crystal Lake Scouts project him in PEBA level to be an average hitter but an outstanding defensive glove at shortstop.

We also saw Crystal Lake trade for 25 year old minor league pitcher José Carmona who with some more development could turn into a solid reliever in a year or two. Carmona who works hard and is known for being a strong leader projects to be an integral role player in the future.

In the 2024 draft, we saw Pitcher Jeff Green taken with Crystal Lake's first round pick and promptly signed for 1.7 million. The Pitcher out of Central Florida University has been assigned to SS-A Mauna Loa Vulcans. He will get his first start today after debuting in a relief role for a total of 3 innings.

Lastly, in another youth move, Crystal Lake traded for 26 year old starting pitcher Tony Cuellar who will take over at the 5th rotation spot. While he has been a PEBA level starter since age 21, it seems he was thrown to the wolves while still working on developing his craft. The Crystal Lake pitching staff sees that there is some room for improvement with his control and curve ball. Confident he will develop fully. Scouts are looking to him as a future mid-rotation pitcher.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Crystal Lake's Minor League Players of the Year
By: Stephanie Dole
December 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM CST

CL Minor League Hitter of the Year 2B John Shoemaker AAA

2B John Shoemaker

John Shoemaker was drafted in the second round of the 2017 Draft. He's been slowly working is way through the Crystal Lake system. Drafted out of high school he spent 18 years of age through 22 years of age in SA and single A ball developing and growing. He then quickly jumped from AA to AA ball ages 23 and 24. He might have been called up for a full PEBA season this year had 2B Jim Klein not have had such a spectacular recovery from a broken hand in the 2023 season. This year with AAA Evansville John posted a .309/.378/.458 and 58 RBIs over 421 plate appearances. Question is with the last year of Jim Klein's contact on the horizon will he see a call up this year or next. John definitely deserves it this year. His time has come.

CL Minor League Pitcher of the Year SP Greg Hughes A and AA

SP Greg Hughes

Greg Hughes was drafted in the 8th round of the 2021 Draft. He started the 2024 season at single A going 7-0 on 8 starts posting a 1.34 ERA with a .65 WHIP. He was pitcher of the month for June 2024 at single A. He was then moved up to AA where he posted a record of 10-4 on 20 starts with a 3.25 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He will need to improve on his movement if he wants to make it to the next level. Most importantly he's a team leader with a strong work ethic that will take him far.

2014:
SS Chris 'Jitters' Long
SP Curt 'Cobra' Turner

2015:
SS Emilio Manuel
SP Chris White

2016:
SS Emilio Manuel
SP Herb Martin

2018:
1B Ruben Memde (AAA)
SP Javier 'Random' Jimenez (AAA)

2019:
1B Roberto Pantoja
SP Javier Jimenez

2020:
1B Brandon Johnson
MR Edgar Merriam

2023:
AA SP Vicente Villarreal
AA CF Pedro Flores

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Notable Transactions Off Season Transactions
By: Stephanie Dole
December 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM CST

12/26/24 - Sandgnats Sign Star Pitcher Miguel Cantú to 5-year contract worth a total of $132,500,000


SP Miguel Cantú

12/26/24 - Sandgnats Sign Catcher Ken Tuttle to 1-year $869k contract


C Ken Tuttle

12/20/24 - Sandgnats Extend Pitcher Edgar Merriam with 2-year $2.02 Mllion contract


RP Edgar Merriam

12/16/24 - Sandgnats Re-Acquire 1B Rubén Memde with trade with San Antonio


1B Rubén Memde

12/16/24 - Sandgnats Acquire Star Prospect 3B Ed Brown with trade with San Antonio


3B Ed Brown

12/11/24 - Sandgnats Acquire RF Colin Crow with trade with Kentucky


RF Colin Crow

12/10/24 - Sandgnats Acquire 2B Hirohisa Inoue with trade with Reno


2B Hirohisa Inoue

12/10/24 - Sandgnats Acquire LF Roberto Ruíz with trade with Hartford


LF Roberto Ruíz

12/2/24 - Sandgnats Acquire Young Star SP Dean McNeil with trade with Florida


SP Dean McNeil

So far this off-season we have seen a complete dismantling of Crystal Lake's 2024 PEBA Championship team. Most notably was the release of Starting Pitchers Manuel Corona, Alfredo Velázquez, Francisco Robles. All were in their mid-30s and at the end of lucrative contacts that were set, if renewed, to be a combined $55 million between them for 2025. All, were to the disappointment of Crystal Lake fans, released into free agency.

In order to replace these strong reliable staples to the Crystal Lake rotation, Crystal Lake acquired 25 year old Pitcher Dean McNeil from Florida in exchange for sending 30-year-old PEBA Championship MVP first baseman Wilson Muñóz to Florida. Muñóz was in the last year of his contract and likely not to be re-signed by the Gnats in 2026 given his rumored contract demands. McNeil was then promptly signed to a 8-year contract extension worth a total of $151,340,000. McNeil finished 2nd in 2024 PEBA IL Wunderkind Award voting and Crystal Lake looks to him as the Ace of the Future along side Young Ace in his own right Starting Pitcher Jim 'Nitro' MacCowan

Also, Crystal Lake made a priority the recent free agent signing of Star Pitcher Miguel Cantú to a 5-year contract worth a total of $132,500,000. The 2024 All-Star and 2020 PEBA Champion with Florida will come to Crystal Lake as a 32 year old Ace with more left to prove after a broken hamate bone ended his 2024 Campaign with Palm Springs in September. A lifetime ERA of 3.12 and WHIP of 1.14 will be welcome. The first 3 years of his contract are guaranteed until he is 35 years old and there are team options for 2 more years with significant dollar amounts for a buy-out. His strong leadership will be welcome in the clubhouse for a team that has lost so much veteran leadership.

Along with other younger pitching acquired at the deadline last season, Crystal Lake's rotation looks to be as competitive as it was last season for the next few years.

Equally troubling has been the departure into Free Agency of Catcher Norihide Yamamoto; Power Outfielder Jarrod 'Merlin' Ricks; and SS Juan Hernández. Fan interest has crashed with the departure of these players. Rumor has it that Hernández jumped ship for a huge $37 million a year deal. He was only offered $17 million a year by GM Ermola and reportedly was laughed at by Hernández's agent. Hernández will now feel the "warm" welcome of Illinois fans when he returns this season in a Duluth uniform.

Right now it looks like free agent acquisition of 2B Hirohisa Inoue could be splitting time at SS with Spencer Lewis. Lewis, last year signed a minor league contract to join the Sandgnats. This off-season he signed a 2 year contract worth $850k a year. Lewis had a strong showing in AAA last season and an average showing when called up to PEBA while Hernández was on the DL last summer. This looks to be Lewis's chance to prove he can make it in PEBA. Lewis brings a strong defensive anchor to SS and scouts believe he will be an above average offensive contributor this year as the 26 year old appears to now be fully developed. Inoue will bring stability as a utility man and can also split time with aging 3rd baseman Josh Shaffer. Shaffer stepped in nicely last season when 3rd baseman Bobby Watson ended up being a bust of a free agent signing. For now it looks to be a rotation of Inoue, Shaffer and Lewis on at 3rd and SS for 2025.

On the other side of the infield 2B Jim Klein is entering the last year of his contract and will certainly be the team leader this year. Rumor has it that a trade is about to be processed for the acquisition of 2B Jack Speed, who could be Klein's backup and replacement following the 2025 season. Speed could also be competing for or splitting time at 3B in 2024. Inoue and Shaffer do have the upper hand as needed right handed batters this year however. Given the fluidity of any season with unexpected injuries - it's anyone's guess at this point. However, what the 2024 campaign proved for the Gnats was depth can make the difference between being a playoff team or being a few games out. Once you're in - anything can happen.

With the loss of Muñóz at first base, Crystal Lake moved to acquire first baseman Rubén Memde. Memde originally signed as a minor league free agent with Crystal Lake in 2015. He was selected to the 2018 Great Northern League All-Star Game and Crystal Lake's Minor League Hitter of the Year for 2018. in 2019 he was selected to the Global Baseball Brotherhood All-Star Game in AAA. He was then traded to San Antonio in 2019 where he was named the IL Rookie of the Month for September. After spending his PEBA time with San Antonio he returns to Crystal Lake with a lifetime .256/.334/.443 averaging 19.5 HR/Yr.

Crystal Lake also moved to acquire RF Colin Crow as a replacement for Merlin Ricks. Although not bringing the same star fire power. Crow is a solid hitter posting a career .277/.347/.479. Last season with Kentucky he hit 20 HR and drove in 75 RBIs. Importantly, his leadership presence will be important for the club house.

One of the only question marks remaining will be at catcher where Crystal Lake has yet to make any moves. Promising prospect catcher Tony Parker is rumored as a possibility to be sent to Winter Ball training to work on his catcher ability and possibly power hitting. He has strong potential, but this might or might not be his season. Crystal Lake did sign catcher Ken Tuttle who will most likely serve as a backup or AAA option catcher this season.

Go Gnats.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Sandgnats Say Goodbye to Yogi Robles


Francisco Robles

By: Stephanie Dole
January 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST

Starting Pitcher Francisco Robles has been a staple of the Crystal Lake Rotation since he was traded to Crystal Lake from London in the 2014 off-season. That year he had been selected to the Imperial League All-Star game at 24 years of age and was on the verge of breaking out as one of PEBA's star pitchers. With 5 strong pitches that Yogi could place anywhere over the plate, He was known for keeping opposing batters off-balance.

Perhaps Yogi's nickname should have been Iron Man as he never sustained an injury during his 9 year career with Crystal Lake. He consistently pitched over 200 innings and always starting over 30 games each season. Arguably 2 of Yogi's best seasons occurred in 2018 and 2022. In 2018 Yogi posted an ERA of 2.62, 1.02 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and only 20 home runs allowed over a career high 251 innings pitched. In 2022, he had a career high 21 wins and a ratio of .8 HR/9.

Yogi's career in Crystal Lake almost ended in the 2023 playoffs when he melted down in game 7 of the SL playoffs against rival Aurora and his grape Gatorade fight that followed with catcher Norihide Yamamoto. "I credit manager Joe Matterson with bringing us together last season", stated Yogi in a press conference today. "Norihide and I each studied English and Japanese last off-season and threw in Portuguese for good measure."

Last season with Crystal Lake, Yogi redeemed himself with 3 clutch playoff performances in the Conference and Championship Series. He came through in the Conference Championship with masterful game 2 and game 7 performances. In game 2, Yogi pitched 7 strong innings throwing 103 pitches and giving up 4 runs in a 5-4 victory. But most memorable will be game 7 where he pitched 8 innings, throwing 106 pitches, allowing only 2 runs, no walks, 6 strikeouts in a 3-2 victory that sent Crystal Lake to the PEBA Championship. That performance earned him player of the game honors and a place in Crystal Lake's history books. "I credit Norihide for that win", said Robles. "He knew all the right matchups for us that game"

"He was the first one to practice and last one to leave" stated former teammate Manuel Corona. "Yogi was an example for everyone. He's just a great guy."

The Portland, Oregon native was drafted out of high school by the former PEBA Connecticut Nutmeggers as the second overall pick in 2009. He was selected to the 2009 Surf and Snow Amalgamation All-Star Game in his first season of pro-ball. He was then traded that season to London where he spent the next 5 years. He saw his first PEBA call up in the 2012 season and then things got scary for his career. In his rookie season Yogi started 31 games going 6-15, but posting a 3.36 ERA. He then proved with hard work anything is possible. He returned in 2014 to post a 18-10 record with a 2.71 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and an All-Star game appearance.

In his career with Crystal Lake, Yogi threw 2 - 1 hit game shutouts, but was well known for being a staple of consistency. He collected his 2,000 strike out last season and the highlight of any player's career a PEBA Championship.

Headed to the IL now with Florida, Yogi signed a 3 year, 9 million per year deal with team options for the second and third years - much lower than the hometown discount that Crystal Lake would have been allowed to re-sign him prior to free agency.

"I understand the economics of this game. I knew 2024 was our last chance with Corona and Alfredo"

"One thing I won't miss are those 30 degree games in October", Yogi stated "I'm looking forward to moving to Jacksonville, but I will always look fondly upon my time in Crystal Lake"

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Sandgnats Opening Day


Miguel Cantú

By: Stephanie Dole
April 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM CDT

The Sandgnats will begin the 2025 season as defending champions for the first time in club history. However, this year's roster looks significantly different with Miguel Cantú as opening day pitcher away at Fargo. The Sandgnats will face Fargo with a 3 game series and then continue on the road for a 3 game series against Reno before heading back to Crystal Lake for the home opener on April 14th against Okinawa. Baring any injuries, it looks like new coming young star Dean McNeil will start the home opening game.

Of note, the Sandgnats start the season with two players on the DL. Young pitcher Jon Browning is out for the season with Tommy John's surgery and Hirohisa Inoue out for 1-2 more weeks with a torn hamstring.

"We'll probably send Inoue for a rehab assignment after he comes back from this hamstring injury", stated Ermola at the pre-season press conference. "Hamstring injuries can linger and we want to make sure he is 100% before we call him back up so it doesn't turn into something more serious."

Notably, and strange for a defending champion to see a plummet in season ticket sales. Season ticket sales dropped from 24,908 in 2024 to 18,457 this year.

"Well, I got very nervous after we let go of "The Mayor" and "Yogi". Our fan support just plummeted." stated Ermola. "I was looking over our financials this off-season and all of a sudden last year's surplus was about to turn into a massive deficit. I was very worried the PEBA board would sanction us at the end of the season if we didn't do something."

Crystal Lake's ticket prices have been lowered from $31.50 last season to $26.90 to start this season.

"Well we lowered some ticket prices and that helped, but we also began a massive marketing campaign with Gnic and Jim 'Bizarre' Klein on a bus trip all over Illinois, through Indiana and Wisconsin. I think the free hot dogs from a juiced up bug really did the trick."

Crystal Lake saw fan interest skyrocket after the marketing campaign with projected attendance now back to where it was last season, but with only a slight drop in revenue. The key will be keeping the fans in the seats, which only winning can do.

"Well last year I took all the credit for winning, but if we are terrible, I'll just blame the last GM... I get a 3 season grace period right?", as Ermola zipped up his CL hoodie and walked out.

Opening night, April 14th will be the first Gnic at night promotion with Gnic racing around the bases pre-game with every fan under 10. See you at Dole Park!

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Post-Season Questions

By: Stephanie Dole
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM CDT

It was a magical ride for the 2025 Sandgnats this season. After a 2024 Championship run, the 2025 Sandgnats did not match up as favorites in the SL after a plethora of off-season moves rebuilding the starting rotation and a youth movement within the infield. The 2026 Sandgnats will look probably look very similar to this season's squad as all starters in the outfield, infield and pitching staff are still under contract for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The only question marks for moves for next year will be certain DH, Infield and Outfield Bench and Role players as well as a critical decision for the Sangnats at the closer position.


Ramón 'Doberman' Contreras

Closer Ramón 'Doberman' Contreras has been the Sandgnats closer since the 2019 season when he was 26 years of age. The 2023 off season brought the dollar signs to Contreras where he signed a 3 year deal for $53,580,000.00 dollars for an average $17,860,000 average salary per year. This season the Sandgnats will need to decide if they will exercise the 2026 team option or pay the $4,465,000.00 buyout. Contreras has seen his ERA take a gradual up tick from at or below 3.0 to now 3.78 for 2024 and 3.91 for 2025. This season saw an unusual 33 of 40 saves this season for the Doberman with a few key blown saves that hurt Sandgnat fans down the stretch. Despite a tough season that saw the Doberman stronger down the stretch, he did convert 6/7 save opportunities in the playoffs with the sole blown save a critical loss against Florida costing the Sandgnats their second every Championship. Question for the Sandgnats will be, is the Doberman still worth his high price tag?

Other players up for free agency include:

RP Roberto Bustamente
RP Ismael Hernández
LF Javier García
LF Enrico Heredia

The only player of significance up for arbitration is 2B Orlando Barrón but rumor is that there's a pending offer on the table before arbitration.

Looking forward to another season of growth for the 2026 Sandgnats. Go Gnats!

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Stability in Crystal Lake's Staff Builds Consistency

By: Stephanie Dole
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM CDT

After GM RJ Ermola took over in the 2023 off-season, there was only a shake up at manager and with the training staff. Most all staff positions stayed the same as Ermola felt he was only here to help Crystal Lake take the next step, not reinvent the wheel. The only changes at that time were more stable play calling, more sane game time decisions by the manager, and a new training staff to keep a handle on injuries that were taking their toll on Crystal Lake down the stretch year-after-year. Most staff are presently signed to longer term deals except for minor league staff that will be coming up for renewal soon at the end of 2026. Question could be for many of them, wait a few more years to move up to the major league within or move on to other PEBA organizations?

Jaime Barrón

One contract that will be up in 2026 is long time Sandgnat bench coach Jaime Barrón. (No relation to SS Orlando Barrón) Barrón has been with the Sandgnats as bench coach since the 2019 season after being the manager of Tempe for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

He started his coaching career at 45 years of age coaching for Klein-Collins HS, his son's high school team for 2 seasons. Then, Barrón made his way into pro-caching with 3 years at AA Calgary and 2 years at SS-A Fairbanks. Unfortunately, he took 5 years off to care for his wife who was gravely ill with cancer and after her passing, returned to Fairbanks in the 2016 season. He was then hired by A Calexico mid-way through the 2016 season before getting the call up to manage Tempe. At 63 years of age this season, he runs a tight ship, perfect for this younger Sandgnats team, where the only starting batter presently over 30 is 31 year old 2B Jim 'Bizarre' Klein. Notable is his close relationship with CF Jerry Long. Long credits him with his break out PEBA career since being called up 4 years ago at age 23. Barrón was also a key part of bringing manger Joe Matterson to town. Matterson has been quoted as saying "When you have a guy like Jaime on your staff, it makes it easy for me to be the good guy. He's that solid force, every team needs."

Rumor has it that Barrón will agree to come back for 2 more years at a reduced Salary of $650,000 per year. "You know its not about the money any more at my age. I just want to see these young guys develop into winners.", stated Barrón when I interviewed him for this blog post.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Crystal Lake's Minor League Players of the Year
By: Stephanie Dole
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM CST

CL Minor League Hitter of the Year 1B Will Smith (A)

1B Will Smith

Will Smith was drafted in the 2020 first-year player draft in Round 5, Pick 19, 121st overall pick by the Crystal Lake Sandgnats out of high school with 2020 Interscholastic Federation Super Prep Champion Union City HS Hillers out of New Jersey. He was selected to the 2020 Interscholastic Federation All-Star Game. After signing he spent the 2020 through 2024 seasons with Mauna Loa Short-A with early struggles until 2024 where his performance began to hit its stride at age 21. He was promoted to single A, El Cajon part way through the 2024 season and put up respectable numbers. This season Will broke out with .320/.385/.475 including 12 home runs in 303 at bats with strong medium to high leverage numbers. He's considered one of the team leaders with a good work ethic.

CL Minor League Pitcher of the Year SP Ángelo Torres

SP Ángelo Torres

Ángelo Torres was drafted in the 2022 first-year player draft Round 6, Pick 28, 201st overall pick by the Crystal Lake Sandgnats after spending his college years with the East Carolina Sea Dawgs. He spent his first season of professional baseball with Mauna Loa - Short-A before quickly being promoted to AA last seasons where he posted respectable numbers. This season his second in AA were impressive with a record of 13-6, 2.40 ERA and .90 WHIP in 146.0 innings of work. He was also given a shot a AAA for 3 games of relief work where he gave up no earned run in 5.1 innings pitched.


2014:
SS Chris 'Jitters' Long
SP Curt 'Cobra' Turner

2015:
SS Emilio Manuel
SP Chris White

2016:
SS Emilio Manuel
SP Herb Martin

2018:
1B Ruben Memde
SP Javier 'Random' Jimenez

2019:
1B Roberto Pantoja
SP Javier Jimenez

2020:
1B Brandon Johnson
MR Edgar Merriam

2023:
SP Vicente Villarreal
CF Pedro Flores

2024
2B John Shoemaker
SP Greg Hughes