Independent Baseball Chatter – by Bob Wirz
University of Michigan product Brandon Sinnery started his professional career by winning nine of 11 decisions in his rookie year (2012), including five of six for Lincoln, had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks and led the California League in wins (14-7, 4.02) in his second season (’14).
The right-hander, 25, moved up to Class AA this season, and allowed only one run and six hits in six innings in his debut for Mobile, AL Sunday although he did not factor in the decision.
Joplin High on Its Cuban Catcher
Cuban baseball players often attract huge attention whenever they get to the United States, and the new Joplin Blasters believe they have a gem in catcher Yenier Bello.
“Yenier is a tremendous talent that we are excited to bring to Joplin,” said enthused Blasters General Manager Shawn Suarez. “As we went through the offseason (a quality) catcher was one of our highest priorities, and we feel we found an outstanding one in Yenier.”
The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Bello came to the United States last season after a career in the Cuban National League, but the Atlanta Braves only used him in 15 games between rookie league play and Class A despite a combined .308 average (16-for-52, one homer) and a 1.000 fielding percentage that included 18 assists. Chances are the Braves decided not to keep him since he was turning 30 this past February, but the age factor will not be an issue in the American Association.
Joplin likes the fact Bello hit 18 homers and drove in 64 runs in 86 games five years ago, and has what the team says is an “absolute cannon” for an arm which produced a 50 per cent caught stealing percentage in the Cuban league.
