Fennell joins Wild Things
BUTLER TWP — Butler graduate and former St. Louis Cardinal minor league outfielder Mick Fennell is back with the Washington Wild Things.
Fennell, who turns 25 April 30, played 22 games for the Frontier League team last year, hitting .200 in 75 at-bats with a double and two stolen bases.
A 22nd-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2016, Fennell hit .254 with Class A Peoria in 2017 before being released by St. Louis at the end of spring training last year.
“Last year was a strange one for me,” Fennell admitted. “The Wild Things needed pitching midway through the season and a team in that league is only allowed to keep so many experienced players.
“They signed a pitcher and I was placed on the 'phantom' DL. I was there for the rest of the season.”
The Wild Things begin spring training camp Friday. Their first game is May 9 at River City.
“They sign 40 guys or so and they keep 25 on the final roster,” Fennell said of the Wild Things. “I consider this my last opportunity to show I can still play this game I've loved since I was 3 years old.
“Basically, everyone gets 25 to 30 at-bats (in spring training) to show what they can do. We'll be playing intra-squad games and a couple of exhibition games against other teams.”
Fennell spent the off-season training and coaching youth ballplayers. While doing so, he worked out himself and kept in shape.
He spent some time at La Roche College working with Knoch graduate and Redhawks baseball coach Chase Rowe on his swing.
“Last year ... really, since I left college, I've been pulling off the ball too much,” Fennell said. “Chase and I worked on adjusting my swing so I drive through the ball, keep the bat in the hitting zone as long as possible.”
Ideally, Fennell will make the Wild Things, get off to a fast start and have his contract picked up by a major league organization.
“That's always the goal. That's why you still play at this point,” he said.
Fennell also discovered he has an eye disease known as Keratoconus, a thinning of the cornea that affects one's eyesight. He will eventually require surgery to correct the problem.
Approximately one of every 2,000 persons gets this disease.
“I found out I don't need the surgery right away. I've got some specialized contacts coming in that will correct my vision for now,” Fennell said.
“As a hitter, it may help me pick up the spin on the baseball, determine what type of pitch is being delivered a little sooner. My strikeouts were way up over the past couple of years and I'm known for rarely striking out. That disease might have had something to do with it.
“I'm sure playing baseball at that level did, too,” he added.
Fennell is one of three players in California (Pa.) University baseball history to collect 200 hits and score 150 runs with the Vulcans.
When his playing career does end, Fennell's baseball career won't.
“I'll still find a way to coach baseball, teach the game in some capacity,” he said. “I'll always be involved with baseball.”
