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Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Winnipeg will always have a special place in my heart'
It's been a long time coming for Dayson Croes. And this time, nothing is holding him back from living out his dream. The former Winnipeg Goldeyes' standout infielder acquainted himself with his new baseball home after signing with the MLB's San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Dayson Croes (centre) was a two-time American Association league all-star with the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Croes admits there were some nervous moments in the 48 hours between his physical with team doctors and officially putting ink to paper. It's the second time in the last 11 months that he received a serious look from a Major League organization. He nearly signed with the Minnesota Twins last June, but issues with his work visa prevented the deal from going through. None of that matters now. 'When I officially signed, it was amazing. One was relief knowing that this is actually happening and it's not a pump fake, but just happy man,' Croes told the Free Press from Scottsdale, Ari., where he'll start with the Giants' rookie ball team in the Arizona Complex League before jumping to High-A or Double-A. Shortly after signing, Croes took part in a team practice and then boarded a bus to Surprise, Ari., where he watched his new teammates face the ACL Los Angeles Dodgers. 'This is the one thing I've been working for my whole life,' he added, 'not even to make the big leagues, just the chance to play affiliated ball.' The 25-year-old put together back-to-back campaigns of sensational hitting for the Fish, and after an off-season where he continued to shine internationally, his talents finally became too great to pass over at the next level. Croes represented the Netherlands at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 tournament in November and played for the country in a pair of exhibition games against teams from the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan last month as a part of Team Netherlands' prep for next year's World Baseball Classic. He followed that with an otherworldly performance at the Baseball Champions League Americas tournament in April, when he registered 12 hits, three home runs and seven RBI on the strength of a .706 batting percentage in three games. 'First and foremost, just thrilled for him,' said Goldeyes field manager Logan Watkins, who has expressed that Croes belongs in a Major League organization. Croes hadn't reported to Goldeyes' training camp, which opened on April 26, as he finished up an off-season job. He expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season before joining the club at the end of the month. 'I was kind of anticipating hardly having him much at all this year,' Watkins added. 'I thought for sure a team in Mexico was probably going to offer him some pretty big money to go there, which hadn't happened. 'God has weird intentions sometimes. He kept Mexico away from him long enough that an affiliated team was waiting to make a deal. His patience, I know he was probably thinking, and we've talked about it, 'What more do I have to do to get picked up?' and I think his patience is finally going to pay off.' Indeed, it would've been easy to understand Croes's frustration about not being picked up by a big league organization after the last two summers. The product of Noord, Aruba, landed in Winnipeg in 2023 as a hungry 23-year-old after going unsigned out of Quincy College (Illinois). Former Goldeyes skipper Greg Tagert gave the left-swinging contact-hitter a chance, and he did so well — winning American Association Rookie of the Year after leading the league with 135 hits — that he became a top priority for manager Logan Watkins to re-sign once he took over the team. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Dayson Croes (8) was named the 2023 American Association Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Winnipeg Goldeyes after leading the league with 135 hits. He encored in 2024 by finishing second among all players with 128 hits and third with a .342 batting average. 'It's been a year or two coming for Dayson. He should have been probably gone already, but yeah, kind of bittersweet,' said Watkins. Tagert, who managed the Giants' rookie ball team in 2022, was instrumental in getting Croes to the organization. The longtime skipper has remained in touch with his old colleagues and repeatedly brought up Croes's name in conversation. 'He's the one who's been really pushing me to them,' Croes said. 'He texted me after I signed, he's like, 'It finally happened. I've been trying for two years now to get them to sign you.'' Croes, a two-time league all-star, strung together four different stretches of one hit in at least 10 consecutive games, including nearly setting a franchise record with a 25-game hitting streak in his rookie year. He becomes the second player in the Watkins-era of the Goldeyes to be scooped up by a Major League organization. Infielder Adam Hall signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after just six contests with the Fish last season. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'It hasn't really sunk in yet, because everything's been go, go, go, since that phone call, but it has been bittersweet,' said Croes. 'Obviously, Winnipeg is great. The people, the organization, the coaches, (Goldeyes general manager) Andrew (Collier), and even (team owner) Sam Katz called me personally to congratulate me. Stuff like that, you don't find that everywhere. 'Winnipeg has been such a special place for me. And I told Andrew, even if I'm in the big leagues one day, Winnipeg will always have a special place in my heart, because it was a special three years.' Croes's departure leaves the Goldeyes with 12 positional players, a perfect number in Watkins' eyes. The club begins its regular season on the road May 8 against the Cleburne Railroaders in Texas. Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Goldeyes' star Croes signs with Giants
WINNIPEG Goldeyes infielder Dayson Croes has a new baseball home after signing with the MLB's San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. The 25-year-old put together back-to-back campaigns of sensational hitting for the Fish, and after an off-season where he continued to shine internationally, his talents finally became too great to ignore at the next level. It's the second time in the last 11 months that Croes received a serious look from a Major League organization. He nearly signed with the Minnesota Twins last June, but issues with his work visa prevented the deal from going through. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Dayson Croes (centre) was a two-time American Association league all-star with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and is the 88th player in franchise history to make the jump to the affiliated minor leagues. He represented the Netherlands at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 tournament in November and played for the country in a pair of exhibition games against teams from the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan last month as a part of Team Netherlands' prep for next year's World Baseball Classic. Croes followed that with an otherworldly performance at the Baseball Champions League Americas tournament earlier this month when he registered 12 hits, three home runs and seven RBI on the strength of a .706 batting percentage in three games. Croes has been the American Association's model of consistency since arriving in Winnipeg in 2023. The product of Noord, Aruba, landed in the provincial capital as a hungry 23-year-old after going unsigned out of Quincy College (Illinois). Former Goldeyes skipper Greg Tagert gave the left-swinging contact-hitter a chance, and he did so well — winning American Association Rookie of the Year after leading the league with 135 hits — that he became a top priority for manager Logan Watkins to re-sign once he took over the team. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. He encored in 2024 by finishing second among all players with 128 hits and third with a .342 batting average. Croes, a two-time league all-star, strung together four different stretches of one hit in at least 10 consecutive games, including nearly setting a franchise record with a 25-game hitting streak in his rookie year. MIKE THIESSEN / FREE PRESS Dayson Croes was named the 2023 Rookie of the Year, stringing together four different stretches of registering one hit in at least 10 consecutive games, including nearly setting a Winnipeg Goldeyes franchise record with a 25-game hitting streak in his rookie year. He becomes the second player in the Watkins era of the Goldeyes to be scooped up by a Major League organization. Infielder Adam Hall signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after six contests last season. The Goldeyes open a six-game pre-season schedule this evening in Fargo against the Redhawks (6 p.m.). The club begins its regular season on May 8 against the Cleburne Railroaders in Texas. Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
San Francisco Giants pick up contract of Winnipeg Goldeyes infielder Dayson Croes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are losing the services of all-star infielder Dayson Croes. The Goldeyes announced on Wednesday his contract has been transferred to the Major League's San Francisco Giants after two seasons with the Fish. 'The entire Goldeyes organization would like to congratulate Dayson and thank him for his two seasons in Winnipeg,' said general manager Andrew Collier in a media release. 'On and off the field, he's just an outstanding person and it's great to see his hard work and dedication rewarded.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Croes was their leading hitter last season. His .342 batting average was good for third best in the entire American Association. The 25-year-old also hit five homers with 51 RBI. 'I'm extremely happy for Dayson,' said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins in a media release. 'This has been a long time coming and he deserves this. Story continues below advertisement 'We would have loved to have him play for us again this year, but he's proven that he's ready for an opportunity in affiliated ball and I hope he takes it and runs with it.' Croes is the Goldeyes' 88th player to make the leap to affiliated baseball. The Goldeyes made two other roster moves on Wednesday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Jesse Galindo on loan from a team in the Mexican Baseball League and they also released Tylor Jans after he suffered an injury prior to the start of spring training. The Goldeyes season opener is next Thursday against the Cleburne Railroaders.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Goldeyes' Croes signs with San Fransisco Giants
Winnipeg Goldeyes infielder Dayson Croes has a new baseball home after signing with the MLB's San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has pieced together back-to-back campaigns of sensational hitting for the Fish, and after an off-season where he continued to shine internationally, his talents finally became too great to ignore at the next level. 'First and foremost, just thrilled for him,' said Goldeyes field manager Logan Watkins, who has previously expressed that Croes belongs in a Major League organization. MIKE THIESSEN / FREE PRESS Dayson Croes was named the 2023 Rookie of the Year, stringing together four different stretches of registering one hit in at least 10 consecutive games, including nearly setting a Winnipeg Goldeyes franchise record with a 25-game hitting streak in his rookie year. It's the second time in the last 11 months that Croes received a serious look from a Major League organization. He nearly signed with the Minnesota Twins last June, but issues with his work visa prevented the deal from going through. That's now a thing of the past. 'I was kind of anticipating hardly having him much at all this year,' Watkins added. Croes hadn't reported to Goldeyes' training camp, which opened on April 26, as he finished his time at a job he secured during the off-season. He was expected to miss the first few weeks of the season before joining the club at the end of the month. He represented the Netherlands at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament in November and played for the country in a pair of exhibition games against teams from the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan last month as a part of Team Netherlands' prep for next year's World Baseball Classic. Croes followed that up with an otherworldly performance at the Baseball Champions League Americas tournament earlier this month when he registered 12 hits, three home runs and seven RBI on the strength of a .706 batting percentage in three games. 'I thought for sure a team in Mexico was probably going to offer him some pretty big money to go there, which hadn't happened,' Watkins said. 'God has weird intentions sometimes. He kept Mexico away from him long enough that an affiliated team was waiting to make a deal. His patience, I know he was probably thinking, and we've talked about it, 'What more do I have to do to get picked up?' and I think his patience is finally going to pay off.' Croes has been the American Association's model of consistency since arriving in Winnipeg in 2023. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Dayson Croes (centre) was a two-time American Association league all-star with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and is the 88th player in franchise history to make the jump to the affiliated minor leagues. The product of Noord, Aruba, landed in the provincial capital as a hungry 23-year-old after going unsigned out of Quincy College (Illinois). Former Goldeyes skipper Greg Tagert gave the left-swinging contact-hitter a chance, and he did so well — winning American Association Rookie of the Year after leading the league with 135 hits — that he became a top priority for Watkins to re-sign once he took over the team. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. He encored in 2024 by finishing second among all players with 128 hits and third with a .342 batting average. Croes, a two-time league all-star, strung together four different stretches of registering one hit in at least 10 consecutive games, including nearly setting a franchise record with a 25-game hitting streak in his rookie year. He becomes the second player in the Watkins era of the Goldeyes to be scooped up by a Major League organization. Infielder Adam Hall signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after six contests last season. 'It's been a year or two coming for Dayson,' said Watkins. 'He should have been probably gone already, but yeah, kind of bittersweet. Even last year when we lost Adam Hall, you're always happy for him, but in my situation, I'm kind of thinking in my head, 'Oh man, what would this team have looked like if we could have kept him?' That's kind of the same thing with Dayson.' The Goldeyes open a six-game pre-season schedule this evening in Fargo against the Redhawks (6 p.m.). The club begins its regular season on May 8 against the Cleburne Railroaders in Texas. Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
