July 15, 2019

By Steve Schuster

Winnipeg Goldeyes

Wes Darvill will represent the Winnipeg Goldeyes at the American Association All-Star Game next Tuesday in St. Paul.

Darvill was voted in as the starting shortstop for the North Division. Longtime St. Paul Saints’ manager George Tsamis leads the North squad and has high praise for the Canadian infielder.

“Wes Darvill, he’s a top-10 player for me in all the years I’ve been managing,” said Tsamis. “He plays third, plays short, and we can never get him out. He always gets hits (against the Saints). We talk about it in the dugout how we can never get him out, and we still don’t get him out. He’s an excellent player.”

Following a 7-for-13 performance at CHS Field last weekend, Darvill is now a .353 career hitter in 41 games against St. Paul pitching.

Darvill has hit 12 home runs during his three seasons with the Goldeyes, five of which have come against the Saints.

“Enjoy the greatness”

Goldeyes’ outfielder Tyler Hill takes a 15-game hitting streak into tonight’s series-opener versus Sioux Falls. Hill grew up in Delaware, but is an avid fan of the National Football League’s New England Patriots who recently won their sixth Super Bowl in the last 18 years. It can be difficult to find middle ground among football fans when it comes to the defending champions, and Hill is steadfast in his support for anyone that is opposed to the dynastic nature of the franchise. “Stop hating and enjoy,” laughed Hill. “Enjoy the greatness. It’s awesome. This is a once in a lifetime thing. (Patriots’ Head Coach) Bill Belichick, he’s running something unreal over there. Whether you hate them or think they’re cheaters, they’re doing it right. They’re winning, and that’s all that matters.”

Immediate impact

Infielder Dominic Ficociello was 4-for-12 in his return from injury, and is batting .326 in his last 23 games dating back to June 9. In addition to his own production, Ficociello’s presence has helped stretch out the middle of the Goldeyes’ lineup. “He changes our lineup,” Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney said on Ficociello. “With Dominic being a switch-hitter, we have a little balance (in the lineup) right now. We’re trying to find the right pieces and get the right connections in there to get things going. We haven’t really been able to do that all year because of injuries, but I really like what’s happening with the first three guys at the top of the order in Hill, Darvill, and Harris.”

Paying it forward

St. Paul Saints’ pitcher Eddie Medina tossed a no-hitter earlier this season, and will join six of his teammates in his home ballpark at next Tuesday’s All-Star Game.The Staten Island, NY native has reached the American Association Championship Series each of the past three years and has grown into both a premier starter and a clubhouse leader since first joining the league in 2015. “This is my fifth season (in the American Association),” Medina said. “It’s a great place to play. I try to do my part as one of the older guys now, taking the younger guys and letting them know that, ‘hey, with this indy ball route, there’s opportunity here. Guys do get signed.’” “What I’ve come to find from a lot of guys that have played affiliated ball is that they’re much happier in these independent leagues,” added Medina. “They get to be themselves. You get to grow and figure things out on your own and learn who you are as an individual.”