Latest news with #Goldeyes
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stellar reputation helps Goldeyes' reel in prospects
Matthew Warkentin didn't need much convincing to join the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The 28-year-old targeted the club as much as it did him. Warkentin, who grew up in Leamington, Ont., about 45 minutes east of Windsor, has kept tabs on Canadian teams in independent leagues since he turned pro in 2021. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS files Landen Bourassa will be the Winnipeg Goldeyes' starting pitcher on opening day against the Cleburne Railroaders. Earlier this spring, after being released from Rieleros De Aguascalientes of the Mexican Baseball League, he turned his attention to the American Association, and specifically the Goldeyes. It wasn't long before skipper Logan Watkins, who received a strong recommendation to look at the first baseman from Mexican League manager José Amado, came calling. 'I knew that I wanted to play at, most likely, the American Association, just because I think it's the best league, from everything I've heard from the guys,' Warkentin said after the Goldeyes' final dress rehearsal Tuesday afternoon against the Kansas City Monarchs in Missouri. 'I just know that the history of the Goldeyes is pretty— it goes back quite far.' It made for an easy recruitment for Watkins, who downplayed his role in helping Winnipeg remain an attractive destination for players. 'I mean, I'd say it's far less to do with me and more just the reputation the organization has. It's been one of the premier places in independent baseball for a long time, and that's absolutely outdated me,' said Watkins, who nearly guided the Fish from worst to first in his first full season as a professional manager. 'You have to give (GM) Andrew (Collier) and (owner) Sam (Katz) a lot of credit for keeping the reputation of this organization as high as it is.' Warkentin, who spent the last two summers playing for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League, joins a club that finished atop the West Division at 56-43 a year ago and backed up its top seeding all the way to the American Association championship series, where they ran into a buzzsaw in the Kane County Cougars. He is expected to provide some pop in a lineup that scraped by without much power last summer. The Goldeyes recorded a league-low 62 home runs, which limited their upside at the plate and put a lot of pressure on their starting pitchers. Fortunately, Watkins put together the best pitching staff in the league, which held opponents to a league-best 3.64 runs per game while allowing a league-low 816 hits. 'The Frontier League is definitely starting to produce a lot of players that translate really well to this league,' said Watkins. 'He had two really good years in the Frontier League, showed really good power numbers.' Defence has always come naturally to Warkentin, but an improved focus at the plate has paid dividends. The right-handed batter hit a combined 51 long balls over the last two years and led the circuit with 83 RBI last summer en route to being named the league's all-star first baseman. He also posted a .299 batting average in 2024. 'When you look at his numbers from previous seasons, (the home runs are) definitely the first thing that jumps out,' Watkins added. 'But then getting him here and watching him through spring, he's a really solid defensive-first baseman. He's not just a big guy over there, he's athletic, moves around, fills his position well. I think he'll be a big addition for us.' The real games begin for the Goldeyes Thursday in Cleburne, Texas, against the Railroaders (7 p.m.). Pitcher Landen Bourassa, one of the team's longest tenured players in his fifth season, has been told he will get the ball on opening day. It's the first time he's earned the first start. 'It's not a crazy thing or anything, because everybody's going to have their first starts and their first games,' said Bourassa, one of six Canadians and 13 returning players from last season. 'I think it's definitely a nod of confidence from Logan as the manager, and that means a lot. 'I think it doesn't matter really who's throwing, I guess, the mission is kind of the same, but I guess if they want me to take the ball first, then I guess it's my turn.' Following their four-game series in Texas, the Goldeyes head back to Missouri for a three-game set against the Monarchs before travelling to Lincoln, Neb., to face the Saltdogs for three contests. They will return for their first home game on May 20 against the Milwaukee Milkmen. Watkins knows it won't be easy for the Fish to reclaim their spot atop the West, despite returning nearly half of the roster from a year ago. The best collection of arms has been dismantled, with the most notable departure being the league's reigning Pitcher of the Year, Joey Matulovich, who retired earlier this year. The depth of this year's staff is also already being tested, as newcomers Aaron Shortridge and Marcel Renteria, two presumed starters, suffered season-ending injuries in their first spring throwing sessions. Meanwhile, Tyler Jans and Brady Rose, two young arms expected to be key contributors out of the bullpen, were injured before camp started and have not reported to the Goldeyes as they await more information on their future. 'The league, they should be finalizing roster cuts here in the next two days, so we'll be kind of on the lookout, looking to see if any guys come on waivers that we might claim, and we're kind of taking that day by day,' said Watkins. 'I'm not gonna lie, it's been a little bit of a tough-luck spring as far as injuries go, but that's part of the job.' Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up The most recent blow came last week when all-star infielder Dayson Croes signed with the MLB's San Francisco Giants. Ramón Bramasco will start most days at third base, while Ray-Patrick Didder and Andy Armstrong are used at shortstop and second base. Watkins, who was anticipating Croes' departure, remains optimistic about his bats. 'We still should have a really good defensive infield, and then, again, we'll see how everyone hits, but I still feel pretty good,' Watkins said. 'I mean, don't get me wrong, losing Dayson Croes is a huge loss, but we stacked the lineup, we feel like, with some bats that are going to be productive this year.' Joshua Frey-Sam Reporter 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.
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.
