Mick Fennell

BUTLER TWP — Mick Fennell is returning home — with the hope of leaving again.

The Butler graduate and 22nd-round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 was released by the Redbirds in late March.

The outfielder was signed by the Frontier League's Washington Wild Things Friday and will compete for a starting spot. The Wild Things begin camp in late April.

“Best-case scenario is a (major league) team sees me play in indy ball, likes what it sees and picks up my contract,” Fennell said. “The way I see it, I put too much work in to just call it quits right now.

“My goal right now is to do what I can for the Wild Things and help get them into the playoffs.”

Fennell hit .254 in 46 games with the Class A Peoria Chiefs last season and figured to return there this season. But toward the end of spring training, the Cardinals cut him loose.

“That's never an easy thing to hear, but you have to realize it's a business now,” Fennell said. “They can't keep everybody.

“They explained to me they have a lot of priority players at my level and they wouldn't be able to give me many at bats, so they were letting me go.”

Fennell will be playing his home games with the Wild Things at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington. That's the same park he played in for California (Pa.) University.

Fennell graduated from California as one of three players in program history with over 200 hits and 150 runs scored. He hit 27 triples in four seasons for the Vulcans, tied for second all-time in NCAA Division II history

“I know that park well and I'm looking forward to returning there,” Fennell said.

Wild Things assistant general manager Tony Buccilli contacted Fennell after he was released.

“Obviously, Mick is very familiar with us and and our facility, with his college career at Cal U,” Buccilli said in a released statement. “He is a high energy player who looks to use his dynamic speed to create chaos. We look to give him more freedom and allow him to showcase his strengths.”

Fennell hit 16 homers and collected 98 RBI during his college career. He played second and third base with the Vulcans along with the outfield.

“I told them I'm willing to see time at second and third base with them — whatever's best for them, I'll do,” Fennell said of the Wild Things.

As for his prospects of being in the starting lineup, Fennell said: “If I hit, I'll play. That's what they told me.

“When this season is over, I'll assess where I'm at.”