Sports
Archives

Scout's honor: Peanuts' best could be signed

• Jon Zeringu leads a host of South Gergia players hoping to impress a Chicago Cubs scout later this week.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY — Jon Zeringue locked his hands behind his head, sunk into a fluffy couch in the back of the South Georgia Peanuts clubhouse and reflected openly about the last three years he spent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Just one month after being released and almost quitting baseball altogether, he looks as comfortable on the sofa as he does with his decision to come to Albany.

“I’m just glad I’m out of there,” Zeringue said of the Diamondbacks organization that granted his release after selecting him 56th overall in the June 2004 draft. “I was really bitter toward them. I feel like I never got a legitimate opportunity. I am having a good time here. I got that fire back to play again.”

But Arizona’s loss is South Georgia’s gain.

“He shouldn’t be here,” said manager Wally Backman, who watched Zeringue hit .335 for him during half of the 2004 season in Single-A Lancaster. “Why somebody didn’t pick him up is beside me.”

That time may finally be here, not only for Zeringue, but a number of the current Peanuts players.

Backman said a scout from the Chicago Cubs will be in attendance for the team’s three games at Charlotte County this week, marking the first time a scout has come out to see the team this season.

Zeringue actually is familiar with the scout, mentioning he recruited him out of high school in Louisiana. Now hitting .328 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 17 games with the Peanuts, Zeringue seems the most likely prospect to get signed. Also, second baseman Steve Garrabrants and center fielder Jasha Balcom, who originally came up through the Cubs’ system, are possibilities.

If any do ink a deal, they would join former Peanuts teammate Jared Sutton as the only two players signed back to affiliated baseball from the South Coast League.

Two SCL players were selected in the June draft — Tim Bascom (Bradenton Juice) Josh Thompson (Macon Music).

Sutton currently is 0-1 with the Single-A West Virginia Power with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings of work.

Backman believes four members of his pitching staff also will need to be seen, forcing him to tinker with the rotation to assure they pitch during the series.

Austin Weilep, Shannon Wirth and Dumas Garcia will earn the starts in hopes of impressing. The skipper will also bring starter Dustin Taylor out of the bullpen to assure he can be seen as well.

“I came here to help guys get back to affiliated baseball,” Backman said. “I feel like I am doing my job. I know we are in a dogfight for first place here, but I feel obligated to help these guys.”

Weilep and Wirth were both a part of the Texas Rangers organization before the season began and believe they belong in affiliated baseball. And while this could be a chance to return, Wirth is staying level-headed.

“We are going to keep playing like we have been playing whether a scout is there or not,” he said.

But an undeniable truth remains: A good series could mean relocation and return another step back toward the big-league dream.

“You work and work and work,” Garcia said. “The next day, you don’t know where you are going to be.”

Now that the draft is over and teams have begun to purge rosters and deal with signing issues, the next month could see the action heat up around Peanuts players.

Backman has also talked to scouts from the Brewers and Reds who have mentioned coming to visit, but are waiting to work out the details.

Even if players don’t sign, there is a possibility of playing out the season with the Peanuts and becoming a non-roster invitee to 2008 spring training.

As for Zeringue, he is happy here in Albany, but he would be happier anywhere else — as long as he is given a fair chance.

“People know I have the ability,” he said. “It’s just a matter of somebody having a roster spot.”

‘FIELD-ER’ OF DREAMS … IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Originally filling the role of SCL roving hitting instructor, former major leaguer Cecil Fielder has taken over as manager of the Charlotte County Redfish.

Manager Jackie Hernandez was fired after beginning the season 6-20, tied with Anderson for the league’s worst record.

Fielder won in his debut Sunday, 5-4, against Aiken.

“He’ll make the players play hard,” Backman said. “Not that Jackie didn’t, he can really help the Latin players, but it is in the best interest of the league.”

Back to today's Sports>>