At the end of Spring Training, Madison GM Chris Wilson was looking to move some borderline players. Las Vegas was looking to move veteran Eric LaFrance. Wilson was extremely interested, and the main target was quickly identified in return: the Hustlers wanted 26 year old reliever Eric Craigston. He also thought that outfielder Tim Wallace (pictured, above) could help and proposed Craigston and Wallace for LaFrance. Wilson then wanted left-hander Theron Ratzlaff included as well, and we quickly agreed on a classic change of scenery deal for all four players involved.
The Hustlers were focused on Craigston. They really liked his stuff, and felt they could help him. With a crowded staff and options remaining, he was sent to AAA and we haven't really thought about him since Spring. He's pitched nicely in AAA, saving 24 games thus far with a 3.23 ERA. Not bad!
The real player, however, has been Wallace.
Wallace made the Opening Day roster. In Spring, it was becoming clear that veteran Ross White was going to be better served as the Designated Hitter for the club. This gave Wallace an opportunity to play. He hasn't looked back. In his first full season in the big leagues, Wallace has shown both power and speed. Through 8/21/08, he's batting .272 with 17 HR, 51 RBI, and 23 SB. He's become the Hustlers primary leadoff hitter against RHP (displacing Jeff Washington) and the primary right fielder (showing a positive ZR there). He can't hit lefties a lick, and thus sits versus them, giving way to White in right field.
Sometimes it's the "throw in" guy in a trade that turns out to be much more valuable. While the chapter hasn't yet been written on Craigston, Wallace's story has had a wonderful and promising beginning.
