By MARC MALKOSKIE
Press Enterprise Writer
MOOSIC — The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are set to begin their 30th consecutive season, and they’re hungry for their third International League title.
With an abundance of talent within the Yankees’ organization, a lot of players on the Triple A squad are expected to play in the big leagues this season.
The promotions to the majors began sooner than expected Monday, with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre outfielder Clint Frazier and shortstop Tyler Wade making the two-hour commute to the Bronx after being called up.
It's also metaphorically brilliant that their lockers at PNC Field are right next to each other, and are strategically placed as the two lockers closest the door that leads outside of the clubhouse.
The pair of 24-year-olds were called up when New York’s Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps strain) and Miguel Andujar (right shoulder strain) were be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Frazier received his call when he arrived in Scranton late Sunday night, and Wade wasn’t called up until after media day Monday.
Wade was expected to be called up for a third season at some point this year.
“We have so much depth and talent, we basically have an all-star team as our starting lineup,” Wade said of the New York Yankees. “So I like our chances for sure.”
New man in charge
As for the RailRiders, Jay Bell has taken over as manager. He’s the team’s third skipper in as many seasons.
Before being promoted in January, Bell managed the Class A Tampa Yankees (now the Tarpons) in 2017 and the Double A Trenton Thunder in 2018.
Bell played 18 seasons in the major leagues, which included two-all star selections as a shortstop and a World Series title with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.
After coaching the Thunder to an Eastern Division title last season, Bell is well aware of what his team brings to the table.
“We have high expectations for our players,” Bell said. “Here in Scranton, the fans have high expectations as well. Having had the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh as long as I did, I know that part of the culture here in the great state of Pennsylvania is the fact that they appreciate hard work. It is no different organizational-wide. We expect our players to go out there and win and succeed. But at the same time, we want them to give a good solid effort, and that’s what we expect.”
Despite Bell’s new job, several Railriders have played under the direction of the skipper. Among them are Wade and catcher Kyle Higashioka.
“I met (Jay Bell) a couple years ago, he’s great,” Wade said. “He’s got a great mind, he loves the game of baseball and he has a good energy. It’s something that we can all feed off of. He understands the game, that’s the biggest thing. He’s a manager that a lot of guys are going to want to play for.”
“It’s great,” said Higashioka when asked about playing for a new coach. “I played for him a couple years ago in spring training and kind of got a taste of what he’s like then. He’s a great guy, great manager and really easy to play for, so I’m looking forward to this season.”
‘Take advantage’
Both Wade and Higashioka are looking to build on their impressive spring training outings.
After going 16-for-52 (.308 average) at the plate this spring with seven doubles, Wade was the favorite to claim the 25th spot on New York’s roster. But New York elected to go with Mike Tauchman, an outfielder the Yankees acquired from Colorado in a trade March 23.
Wade commented on how he planned to use losing the battle for the roster spot as extra motivation. Little did he know, his time would come just a few hours later.
“I put in a lot of work this offseason, so I’m not going to really let a decision that’s out of my control affect anything,” he said. “So I’m going to work as hard as I can and get better every single day, and whatever happens, happens.
“I think I have versatility. (A left-handed batter) is one of those things we need in that (Yankees) lineup. Whenever my time comes, I’ll take advantage of it.”
Likewise, Higashioka opened eyes during spring training, hitting 7-for-19 (.368 average) with a pair of home runs.
“It’s always good to do well in spring training,” said Higashioka, the only minor league catcher on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. “You never want to start your baseball year on a rough note. It’s definitely good because you can take that momentum and carry it over into the beginning of the season, and everyone wants to get off to a hot start.”
The RailRiders' backstop also reported to Moosic with his electric guitar, which he likes to "jam out" with in his free time to relieve some of the stress that comes along with the grueling schedule over the course of a six-month season.
“I started really playing guitar my first spring training," Higashioka said. "I had a guitar earlier, but I never put any effort into it until my first spring training. So it’s been about 11 years now. Sometimes during rain delays or on an off day, it’s cool to jam out a little bit.”
Welcome aboard, Gio
A few weeks ago, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman pulled the trigger on adding a much-needed veteran starting pitcher by signing Gio Gonzalez to a minor-league deal.
Gonzalez, who has started 307 games in 11 major league seasons with Oakland, Washington and Milwaukee, will be a mentor to his younger teammates in the clubhouse. He also plans to learn from his less-experienced peers.
“I just want to keep picking brains here,” said the 33-year-old Gonzalez said. “The guys here have so much knowledge and talent. I think they have the advantage because they’re young and are better adapted to the innovation of baseball.
“For me, I think that’s the beauty of what’s going on here. All these guys have that experience and the gameplan to execute, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I’ve seen the evolution of baseball throughout my career, and I’m hoping to continue to evolve. For me, I want to believe in who I am and trust my stuff. I think this is the right team to help bring the best out of me.”
According to Bell, Gonzalez will get the start in the Railriders’ season opener in Buffalo on Thursday.
Then on Friday, No. 2 starting pitcher Chance Adams is scheduled to get the nod.
Gonzalez is well aware of the wintery weather he'll have to pitch in on Thursday, but also is confident about it, having pitched in the conditions before. The current forecast projects a 30-degree wind chill at the time of first pitch (2:05pm) in Buffalo.
“I’ve pitched in the cold weather before," The RaildRiders' ace said. "Obviously, it takes a little longer to warm up, but you still have to throw strikes and they still have to swing the bats. People still have to get their job done. For me, I’ll try to go out there and overlook the cold and just try to go out there and work on what I was working on in spring training and go from there.
“I’ll have a bullpen tomorrow and a day off before the game and hopefully be ready to go. For me, it’s just about enjoying the ride while I’m still here until someone takes the ball out of your hand.”
Adams, currently ranked 12th among prospects in New York’s pipeline, plans on learning visually from mentors like Gonzalez.
“I’m not a big talker, so I probably won’t annoy (Gonzalez) too much,” Adams said. “I’m sure there will be times in the dugout where we’re sitting next to each other and I’m listening to what he’s saying. That’s how I like to pick up things. I don’t like to be too pesky and ask questions a whole lot. I like to just look at how they do stuff and keep my mouth closed. Gio is definitely going to be a guy that I’ll be taking stuff in from.”
‘A simple message’
Bell doesn’t plan on changing the message he’s lived by since his playing days.
“My message to my players has always been the same,” Bell said. “It’s a message that I’ve lived by over the course of my career. It comes down to four things — be on time; play hard; empathize with your teammates, take as much pleasure in their success as you would in your own; and respect your opponent. If you can do those four things, you’re going to do some good things.
“It’s a pretty simple message and I believe in it. I think that if there’s a message you truly believe in, there’s no reason to change it.”
Marc Malkoskie covers sports for the Press Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @mmalkoskie.
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