Reds Sign RHP A-Baller Andy Weimer from the Can-Am League

[Unassisted]

http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3262969
Andy Weimer Sold to Cincinnati Reds
01/26/06 - Canadian American League (Can-Am) New Haven County Cutters

West Haven- The New Haven County Cutters proud members of the Can-Am League announced today RHP Andy Weimer signed with the Cincinnati Reds. The 6'2" pitcher compiled a 2-2 record, while recording 4 saves during the 2005 season.


Weimer a graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse New York, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 15th round in 2003. Andy spent two seasons with Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization splitting time between Hudson Valley (A) and Charleston (A).


Andy was one of ten pitchers who got an invitation for a special workout for the Reds, and he was the only one who got offered a contract. After off-season knee surgery in 2004, Andy came back and got stronger as the year went on, which played a key component during post-season play.


"This seems to be a really good opportunity for Andy. We are happy for him, and we always want to help our players advance their career. His special talent as a sidearm pitcher could take him a long way," said Bob Wirz Player Procurement for the New Haven County Cutters

[harangatang]

Good to see a pitcher not come out of the Houston organization. :)

[pedro]

I'm trying to get some info on him....


Birthplace: New Hartford, NY
DOB: March 20, 1981
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 180 lbs

[pedro]

PITCHER W-L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP OPP
AVG

Weimer, Andrew 2- 2 3.57 35 0 0 0 4 45.1 51 31 18 3 1 14 34 1 .271

[timmario66]

PITCHER W-L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP OPP
AVG

Weimer, Andrew 2- 2 3.57 35 0 0 0 4 45.1 51 31 18 3 1 14 34 1 .271


Some bad defense in that league:eek:

[CincyRedsFan30]

Nothing overly impressive there, but at least the HR rate is low. About one HR/15 innings.

[Jr's Boy]

Coming off of knee surgery?Seems par for the course in joining the pitching staff,least it was his knee and not his arm.Could be good help out of the pen.

[Doc. Scott]

Here's Andy's total (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/andy-weimer.shtml) line.

He gives up lots of hits and doesn't strike out many, but also has fairly solid control that will need to tighten going forward. But people forget that Kent Tekulve (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/T/kent-tekulve.shtml) (3/5 career BB/K ratio) was a successful major-league pitcher without great WHIP ratios simply by keeping the ball in the park (0.39 HR/9), while Dan Quisenberry (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/Q/dan-quisenberry.shtml)got by on never walking anyone, ever, despite very ho-hum H/9 marks and a ridiculously poor K rate. He also allowed a HR about every 14 innings or so (0.51 HR/9).

The thing that strikes me about Chad Bradford (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/chad-bradford.shtml)and Scott Sullivan (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/scott-sullivan.shtml) is that both are able to K more people. This offsets Chad allowing a few more homers (0.62/9) and Sullivan allowing a HR and walking 3.4 batters per nine. Scott has also allowed fewer hits per nine, the only one of the four to do so consistently throughout his career. (Of course, while he's been successful, Sully's career 3.98 ERA is considerably higher than the other three, even accounting for changing offensive conditions).

I'm not trying to build optimism for an indy-ball sidearmer coming off a serious knee injury donning funny glasses and scraping the Great American Ball Park dirt with his knuckles for ninety frames a year, but it is far from unheard of for guys to come from the nether reaches of oblivion, even the Can-Am League (never heard of it, eh) and make the big leagues as a sidearm reliever. The Reds spending a second-round draft pick on Sullivan represented a pedigree that very few of these guys ever had coming up.

[Chip R]

Some bad defense in that league:eek:

He'll be right at home here. :p:

[TeamBoone]

New Hartford is just outside of Utica.... not too far from Cooperstown.

I've never heard of that league... how would one get into it?

[Unassisted]

Nice numbers from his senior year in college.

http://www.lemoynedolphins.com/sports/bsb/2006/news/20060126_bsbWeimerReds


January 26, 2006

BASEBALL: LE MOYNE BASEBALL GRADUATE ANDY WEIMER ’03 SIGNS WITH CINCINNATI REDS ORGANIZATION

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. – Former Le Moyne College baseball pitcher Andy Weimer ’03 has signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. Weimer finished his Le Moyne career as the program’s all-time leader in saves (22), appearances (85) and Earned Run Average (2.13).

Weimer, a 15th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003, spent last season with the New Haven Cutters of the independent Can-Am League. Weimer received a contract from the Reds organization after pitching in an invite-only tryout camp at the club’s minor league facility in Sarasota, Fla. Rome, N.Y. native Jason Baker, who had seen Weimer pitch at Le Moyne College, set him up with the tryout.

“It’s a great opportunity to help me reach my goal of pitching in the major leagues,” Weimer said. “My season in the independent league has allowed me to stay in shape and I had the opportunity to play with a number of very talented, experienced players.”

To sign Weimer, the Reds organization purchased his contract from the Can-Am League. Weimer was 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA and four saves in 45 1/3 innings with New Haven in 2005. He reached the Single A level with Hudson Valley and Charleston.

Weimer, a right-handed reliever who pitched and played shortstop at New Hartford High School, converted to a side-arming style as a Le Moyne freshman. Weimer finished his career 20-7 with a 2.13 ERA with 22 saves in 85 career appearances. He went 7-1 with a 0.74 ERA and seven saves as a senior as Le Moyne won the MAAC Championship and earned a trip to the NCAA tournament.

Weimer’s contract gives him an invite to the team’s minor league spring training camp.

[Caseyfan21]

No real risk here, might as well give the guy a chance. He was a 15th round pick which means other teams thought highly of him before his injury. If he can bounce back and help the Reds out, whether in the minors or majors, then this will be a good signing. If not, no loss really.