Dodgers Announce Release of Some Former Loons

Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced the release of some former Great Lakes Loons players.  Relief Pitcher Jason West, starter/reliever Matt Laney, and Catcher Andrew Edge were all given their release.  I had the unique opportunity of being the Clubhouse Manager for the  Low-A Great Lakes Loons for the 2012 season and was able to get to know these guys pretty well.  All three of them are first and foremost, great guys.  It was a pleasure to get to know them and work with them while they were with the club. 

Jason West, is a rare sidearmer with a big sweeping slider.  He pitched well for the Loons early on in the season.  In 14 games with the Loons, West threw 24.1 innings, had a 0-0 record with a 2.22 ERA.  He struck out 12, walked 16, gave up 16 hits and 6 earned runs.  He began to struggle with control which had to do with a lingering injury.  He was then demoted to Ogden in the Rookie Pioneer League where he struggled.  He appeared in 22 games, throwing 37.2 innings, posted a 3-0 record with a 5.02 ERA.  He struck out 34, walked 21, giving up 47 hits and 21 earned runs.  He was a leader among the relief corp while with the Loons.  Upon being sent down, his fellow relievers had a small statue that looked like West, painted and kept it in the bullpen throughout the rest of the season.  It was a great tribute to a great guy.  I hope he gets another chance with another organization, and if he finds his control, he can contribute nicely for another Minor League team.



Matt Laney is a big left handed pitcher that spent time both as a starter and a reliever.  The soft spoken kid from Chester, Virginia, had a tough season both with the Loons and the Raptors.  Overall he was 5-5 with a 5.55 ERA, while appearing in 26 games, 17 as a starter.  In 94.0 innings, he struck out 68, giving up 51 walks, allowing 107 hits and 58 earned runs.  Every team is always looking for a left-handed pitcher and hopefully he will catch on somewhere and fix his control problems.

Andrew Edge is a talented catcher, but for some reason, never received much of a chance last season.  The Dodgers control all roster moves and who is active on Minor League rosters.  He spent most of his time with the Loons on the inactive list.  When he did get into games, he produced.  In just 7 games with the Loons, he hit .421 in 23 plate appearances.  He had 8 hits (1 double, 1 triple), drove in 2 runs, scored 1 run, walked 3 times and had a 1.101 OPS.  He served as the bullpen catcher, put in a lot of hard work, and all though understandably frustrated at times, was always a positive teammate.  He was sent down to the Arizona League for some at-bats during the season, where he appeared in 16 games.  He had 57 plate appearances, had 10 hits (5 doubles), scored 8 runs and hit .208.  He rejoined the Loons for the final few games of the season.  I believe someone will pick him up and give him another chance in 2013.