I try on a daily basis to check the Major League Baseball transaction wire. With the start of the Northwoods League season I’ve been focusing my time elsewhere and haven’t checked it in almost a week. Well, I was very pleased when I looked today.
Danny Herrera, known as Danny Ray Herrera to many, had his contracted “selected” today by the Cincinnati Reds. Less than three years ago he was pitching for the La Crosse Loggers. In 2005, the 5’8″, 145 pound (that’s not a misprint) left-hander joined the Loggers in early July. He appeared in seven games in the second half of the season going 5-1 with a 3.13 ERA.
Herrera was drafted by the Texas Rangers and quickly became one of their top prospects. He was traded to Cincinnati this offseason in the deal that sent American League Triple Crown and MVP contender Josh Hamilton to the Rangers.
With the call up of Herrera, 47 Northwoods League alumni have suited up in the Major Leagues.
For more on Herrera click here.
Several other NWL alumni have been listed in the transactions the last week or so. Blue Jays C/1B Curtis Thigpen was called up when Greg Zaun was placed on the DL. Rays SS Ben Zobrist had been activated from the disabled list but he has since been sent to AAA. Mets RHP Carlos Muniz was up and is now back down when the Mets activated Pedro Martinez over the weekend. Phillies OF T.J. Bohn is back in the minors after his second stint up with the big club. Rockies LHP Josh Newman had been up for a few weeks but was sent down recently. Twins RHP Pat Neshek was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. He’s likely to miss the rest of the year with an arm injury. Rockies SS Clint Barmes, Blue Jays RHP Jeremy Accardo, Marlins OF Josh Willingham, and Blue Jays LHP Casey Janssen all currently are on the disabled list.
Overall there is more bad news than good news there with the majority of players being hurt or sent down. Still, especially in the last week or two, to see so many NWL alumni scattered on the MLB transactions means that a lot of players have made it already. Herrera becomes the first from the class of 2005.
Curt Carstensen
Director of Operations
Northwoods League
