May 9, 2019

By Steve Schuster

Wes Darvill (Richmond, B.C.) is passing the early-season eye test.

The Canadian-born third baseman always has been lauded for his athleticism, but Darvill’s workout regimen this past winter has caught the attention of both his manager and teammates.

“He takes good care of himself,” Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said. “He’s noticeably bigger in his upper body. He’s always been a thin guy, but he’s wiry strong now. You can see that he’s finally getting some man muscles on him. The way he’s swinging the bat—he’s got a little more thump now.”

Darvill played a pivotal role in the Goldeyes’ back-to-back championship seasons in 2016 and 2017. During the latter, Darvill hit a career-best .309 while stealing 30 bases in 33 tries.

The well-rounded campaign led to an opportunity with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When an independent player’s contract is purchased in the middle of the baseball season, the Major League organization has a definitive need they are looking to fill at some level of their farm system.

That isn’t necessarily the case when a player is “picked up” in the off-season.

Since the MLB club has less invested in an independent player compared to its own draft picks, players signed out of leagues such as the American Association can find themselves squeezed out in the waning days of spring training, regardless of how well they performed.

Darvill managed to beat those long odds, and won a roster spot with the double-A Texas League’s Tulsa Drillers.

“I came into camp, and I don’t think (the Dodgers) knew what to expect from me as a free agent guy,” Darvill said. “But I think I competed and turned some heads, and played well enough to earn a spot. Unfortunately, I got hurt for a couple of months, but I think I’m a much better baseball player for the opportunity. Just playing for a first-class organization like the Dodgers was a great experience.”

Darvill refers to a lower-body injury sustained while trying to beat out a double play and limited him to just 58 games played.

There were still positives, however. In addition to making a roster out of camp, Darvill reached the triple-A level for the first time in his career during an early season stint with the Pacific Coast League’s Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Darvill also returned from his injury in time to help Tulsa win the Texas League championship.

Having won the back-to-back titles with the Goldeyes, and another two championships during his time in the Chicago Cubs’ organization, Darvill has won a ring five times in the last six years.

“I think I’m a much better baseball player for (the opportunity with Los Angeles),” Darvill said. “I got to cap it off with another championship. I’m just really happy to be back in Winnipeg, and can’t wait to get out there and interact with the fans again. Hopefully we’ll bring home another championship this year.”

Darvill’s workout program merged traditional strength training such as squats and deadlifts with exercises that are more functional and baseball-specific. On multiple occasions this winter, Darvill was even shown dunking a basketball on the Goldeyes’ Twitter account.

“I made some adjustments to my swing and some adjustments in the field that I felt were pretty effective,” Darvill said about his off-season programming. “Every year, you just learn new things. You make little adjustments to your approach that help you as a ballplayer. It’s another year of experience, and another year of growing into my body. I just think you’re going to see an improved player all around.”

SEVEN IN THE SEVENTH

The Goldeyes improved to 2-0 during exhibition play with an 8-7 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Shaw Park on Thursday.

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Winnipeg erupted for seven runs, highlighted by a Dominic Ficociello two-run double and a James Harris two-run triple.

Fargo answered back with three runs in the eighth to pull within one, but Jack Charleston worked a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory.

Joel Bender picked up the win with three innings of long relief. Parker French started for Winnipeg and took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs over four innings.

WINNING PITCHER
WPG: Joel Bender (1-0)

LOSING PITCHER
FM: Kevin Grendell (0-1)

SAVE
WPG: Jack Charleston (1)

HOME RUN
FM: Tim Colwell (1)

THE SKINNY:
The Goldeyes rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to take their first lead, and then held on for a one-run victory for a second straight night.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Shortstop Adrian Marin drove in two runs and started three double plays.

PLAY OF THE GAME:
Marin speared a sharp one-hopper to his backhand side in the top of the sixth to initiate an inning-ending double play.

NEXT UP:
The Goldeyes travel to Fargo and continue exhibition play at 6 p.m. Friday against the RedHawks. The game can be heard live on 93.7 FM.