The Voyagers are fresh off a controversial 3-game series against the Glacier Range Riders. It was a series that saw newcomers AJ Fritz and Kody Putnam play key roles in a victory for Great Falls. Fritz, the starting pitcher on Tuesday, and Putnam, the starting second baseman, both made their professional baseball debuts in game one, and both had admirable appearances.
However, there are a lot more new faces with the team other than just these two. Some of which you've seen already, and some we are still yet to see play in a Voyagers jersey. Today, we'll introduce all the new guys, and tell you a little more about them.
Kody Putnam is the new second baseman in Great Falls, and he has been off to a stellar start to his professional career. In his debut, Putnam went 2-4 with 4 RBI's. He knocked two singles that both brought in a pair of runs. The 3rd and 4th RBI's for him were crucial, as the team was down 9-5 going into the 8th inning. Kody started what was a huge rally for the Voyagers, who put up six runs that inning. Putnam proceeded to have two more good games to finish the series against Glacier. In 11 AB's, Putnam is batting .455 with 7 RBI's. You couldn't ask for a much better start for the rookie out of Indiana Southeast and Jacksonville State.
The next new player on the team is another reliever, Trae Robertson. Trae is a 5-year college player, who spent his first 4 years in the SEC with Missouri, and then his final year in the Big 12 with Kansas State. He is making his professional baseball debut this season, and is coming over from the Ogden Raptors.
Trae played against head coach Sean Repay a few years back in the Northwoods League. Robertson says he was contacted by Sean a few weeks ago to ask him if he wanted to come out to Great Falls and pitch for the Voyagers. Without hesitation, he agreed. Trae says he is beyond excited to be here in Great Falls, he said he loves the culture and loves the fact that the coaches are patient. "I would love to continue to play as long as possible, and the goal is obviously to move up."
Danny Galvan made his first start with Great Falls and his first start as a pro back on Wednesday against Glacier. He went 5.1, only giving up two earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts, in what was a great debut for the youngster out of Keiser University. After the game, all Danny said he could think about was the four walks, as he felt he could've performed better. The dedicated starter also spent some time in the Northwoods League before coming to the Pioneer League. Galvan was very happy to have his dad in attendance for his first pro appearance, who traveled all the way from Florida to see his son play. He also received the game ball of Danny's first professional strikeout. A day to remember for the Galvan family!
Also new for the Voyagers is catcher Hernan Yanez, a first year pro out of Mexicali, Mexico. Hernan, a 25 year old, is coming off of a 4-year college baseball career. He spent his first 2 seasons at Cochise College, a 2-year program in Arizona. After a stellar second year behind the plate, Yanez would go on to play for Division 1 University of Incarnate Word. In his senior season, he batted .314 with 37 RBI's. He also led his team in doubles. Yanez made one pro appearance last season in the Mexican Pacific Winter League. So, while this is not his pro debut, this is his first full look with a professional team.
Nick Marshall, a starting pitcher, was picked up by the Voyagers just a few days back, and makes his first start for the team today. Marshall comes from Indian Hills Community College and West Texas A&M. He has also spent time in the Coastal Plain and the Northwoods League. Marshall makes his professional debut with the Great Falls Voyagers tonight at 7 PM. Nick holds the all time record at West Texas A&M for most wins with the institution with 24.
The first new player to be added to the team was pitcher Nico Felber. Nico is a 5-year pitcher out of Coppin State making his professional debut, and was formerly coached by Sean Repay during his time in school. Nico praised Sean and his experiences with him at Coppin State.
"He's a player's coach and I can really appreciate that. When things are going wrong in the dugout, he always knows what to say, or when he comes out to see you on the mound."
AJ Fritz was the starting pitcher on Tuesday for Great Falls, making his first pro appearance. Fritz had a good first appearance against Glacier, going 4.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, just 4 earned runs with 3 strikeouts in a winning effort for the good guys. Fritz is coming over from LSU-Shreveport, where he was teammates with fellow Voyager Ryan Major for a season. In college, Fritz proved dominant as a two-way player. His senior season, he posted a sub-two ERA and a sub-one WHIP. He was all-conference first team and was a Gold Glove team winner. He also batted .333 at the plate.
Jose Torrealba made his first appearance with Great Falls a few days ago in relief of Danny Galvan on Wednesday. It's the only taste we've had of Jose on the field yet this year, and he was almost perfect. In an inning of relief, he gave up no hits and no runs, just one walk. Torrealba is a native of Acarigua, Venezuela, and went to school at the University of Houston for the past three years. The 26 year-old makes his professional debut this season with the Voyagers.