Frozen fish get into swing of things

It may feel more like hockey weather than baseball season around here, but that hasn’t stopped the Winnipeg Goldeyes from getting into the swing of things.

Sure, these Fish might be frozen during spring training, but optimism is already heating up about what these boys of summer could accomplish by early fall.

“I think we’ve got a really good team. I think we’re going to make a run at it,” veteran slugger Max Murphy told the Free Press on Wednesday at Blue Cross Park.

He’s talking about an American Association championship, which the Goldeyes last accomplished in 2017. They came close to winning it all in 2024 — the first year under skipper Logan Watkins — but ultimately lost in the final. Last year represented a step back, with a 48-51 record which led to missing the playoffs entirely.

Hope springs eternal, and Watkins has assembled a 26-man roster that includes 13 returning players and 13 fresh faces.

“Plenty of guys coming off good years, and a good mix of experience. Even the young rookies that we have all have maybe a year of pro experience,” said Watkins.

“We’ve got a pretty good idea of what we’re going to get from almost everybody. It’s just nice having options.”

Camp began this past weekend, and Winnipeg has already made a quick trip down to Fargo for a pair of pre-season games on Monday and Tuesday against the RedHawks, going 1-1 in frigid conditions.

The on-field workouts continue until Friday when they’ll board their sleeper bus and hit the road for four more exhibition contests leading up to start of the 100-game season next Friday in Milwaukee. The Goldeyes will then return after that three-game set for their home opener on May 19, which is already nearing a sellout.

“I would say it’s a really good mix this year with the returning guys and some new faces bringing a lot of energy to the clubhouse here,” said starting pitcher Mitch Lambson, who is returning for a seventh season.

“It’s good vibes. And a lot of fun to be a part of right now.”

Lambson was a member of that 2017 team, his first year in Winnipeg, and the longest-tenured member of the roster would love a repeat performance this season.

“That’s the goal. That’s why we’re here. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Lambson, who is originally from California, now makes Winnipeg his full-time home. He and his wife have a 19-month-old son. Murphy, who is from Minnesota, has also planted permanent roots in this city, along with returning catcher Kevin Garcia (born in Mexico, raised in California) and another starting pitcher in Landen Bourassa, who is from Alberta.

They are, in a sense, the “core four” of the Goldeyes.

“I think the best way to describe it would be community,” said Bourassa, who is about to begin his sixth season.

“The people that are around here, the continuity with the front office and people that have been here. You get close bonds and that keeps you wanting to come back. It’s been such an enjoyable experience for me.”

Other returnees including infielders Ramon Bramasco, Keshawn Lynch and Ray-Patrick Didder, outfielder Roby Enriquez, starting pitchers Luke Boyd and James Bradwell and relievers Derrick Cherry, Tasker Strobal and Weston Lombard.

There’s a real international flavour to the roster. Didder and new teammate Jiandido Tromp are both from Aruba and recently competed for their country at the World Baseball Classic. And the Goldeyes have new pitchers from the Dominican Republic (Willian Suarez), the Netherlands (Arij Fransen) and Japan (Ryo Kohigashi).

There’s also plenty of American and Canadian content as well.

“Every opening day comes with a lot of hope and a lot of potential. Seeing guys after they’ve been working their tails off all winter to really improve their craft and be the best ballplayers that they can be and seeing everyone out here at the start of the year is exciting,” said Bourassa.

“There’s just a lot of talent on the baseball field. Being from Canada myself there’s only so much baseball talent in our country, and it’s kind of cool we can bring in guys from other places, too, to be a part of this and try to put on the best possible show for the people in attendance.”

The Goldeyes were hit hard by injuries and illness last year which quickly depleted a roster Watkins admitted wasn’t deep enough. He believes they’re better prepared this time around.

Offensively, there’s a lineup that should be a bit more potent “one through nine… I think we’ve kind of built that,” he said. And the bullpen now includes some hungry young flamethrowers who have been in affiliated baseball and are fighting to get back to that level.

“This should be a good opportunity for them to come here and prove they should be back,” said Watkins.

And then there’s the likes of Lambson and Bourassa to lead a rotation that, at least on paper, looks to be among the best in the 12-team loop.

“Playing at home here is really an awesome experience and definitely keeps me coming back,” said Lambson. “The energy in the stadium here, in the city, the way the fans love the Goldeyes. It’s so much fun playing here.”

Knock on wood, but Bradwell is the only current injury they have. The Vancouver product threw a no-hitter last year through nine innings — a game the Goldeyes ultimately lost in extras which Watkins said perfectly reflected the frustrating type of season they had. He’s expected to be ready by the end of May.

“We’ll have a lot of versatility. Guys that can bounce around the lineup and play all over the field. It gives me a lot of flexibility,” said Watkins.

“I’m just trying to get 25 guys in here that can help us win, and not feel like it’s just 17 or 18 and we’re trying to make up the difference at the back-end of the roster that maybe isn’t as consistent as we need.”

winnipegfreepress.com/mikemcintyre