Ryan LaPensee – undrafted player to MLB prospect
April 25th, 2012
Ryan LaPensee is the rarest of baseball players – an undrafted player out of college who has turned into a legitimate MLB prospect. He went from playing in a semi-pro league in Canada to Major League spring training games in one year. Click on “Share and Enjoy” below to read about Ryan’s amazing story as told to writer & blogger Devon Teeple:
Wells signs Triple-A contract with Rockies
February 7th, 2012
We are pleased to announce that former MLB pitcher Jared Wells has agreed to terms on a Triple-A contract with the Colorado Rockies. The big 6′4″ RHP pitched in 8 games in the Major Leagues in 2008 for the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners.
Jared’s signing with the Rockies comes on the heels of his excellent stint pitching for Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League after not pitching since his release by the Houston Astros during Spring Training. During their regular season, Jared had a 3.29 ERA in 29.2 IP as starter, short relief and long relief. He stepped it up a notch in the post-season Round Robin Tournament and had an ERA of 3.24 with 12 K in 15.1 IP and only walked 3. He also started Game 2 of the post-season and earned the W by going 5.2 strong innings, 0 R, 5 K and 0 BB.
Jared was originally drafted by the Padres in the 31st round of the 2002 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of San Jacinto College. In 2005, he was named the California League Pitcher of the Year, and he made his Major League debut in 2008.
Rayl named an Indians top prospect by “Baseball America”
January 28th, 2012
LHP Mike Rayl was recently ranked the 17th best prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization by Baseball America. Additionally, the esteemed baseball publication also declared that Mike has the best control of any pitcher in the club’s Minor League organization.
Mike was originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 41st round of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and drafted again in 2009 in the 15th round by the Indians. He was one of the top JUCO pitchers in the country while starring for Palm Beach (FL) Community College.
Mike finished his Rookie League year in 2009 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 G, while racking up 41 SO in 34 IP and only 10 BB. In 2010, he pitched at both the Short-season and Low A levels and had a combined 3.18 ERA. In 2011, Mike once again dominated at the Low A level, going 5-5, 2.83 ERA, 84 SO, 13 BB in 83 IP. For his efforts, Mike was named to the Mid-Season All-Star Team. Subsequently, he was promoted to the High-A club, where he finished out the remainder of the season.
We are looking forward to a huge 2012 season from Mike!!
Dunning receives invite to Major League Spring Training!
December 24th, 2011
Congratulations to client JAKE DUNNING on receiving an invitation to the San Francisco Giants Major League Spring Training for 2012!
Jake was originally drafted by the Giants as a SS out of Indiana University in the 33rd of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft. However, the Giants and pitching coordinator Dick Tidrow envisioned that Jake would be more valuable on the mound, similar to former All-Star closer Joe Nathan. So far, their vision has proved to be correct.
In 2010, in his first full season as a pitcher, Jake led all Northwest League relievers by averaging 11.3 K per 9 IP. He had an ERA of 2.95 in 37.0 IP, 46 SO and only 8 BB. His fastball consistently hit 94-95 mph, and he showed solid command of a curveball, slider and change-up. In 2011, Jake ended his season at High-A San Jose with an ERA of 4.74 in 76.0 IP, 71 SO, 24 BB. However, Jake flourished once he was named closer for the 2nd half of the season: 10 SV, 3.07 ERA in 29.1 IP, 32 SO, 6 BB, .231 OPP AVG.
We are looking forward to Spring Training to see Jake pick up where he left off, and are excited to watch him progress into a Major League pitcher. Good luck, Jake!!
Wells heading to Venezuela
December 10th, 2011
Former Major League Pitcher Jared Wells has reached an agreement with Caribes de Anzoategui to pitch for them in the 2nd half of the 2011 Venezuelan Winter League season.
Jared was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 31st round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft out of San Jacinto College, and was named California League “Pitcher of the Year” in 2005. On May 24, 2008, Jared made his Major League debut for the Padres. Shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Korean pitcher Cha Seung Baek.
Jared spent 2009 with Seattle’s Triple-A and Double-A affiliates, and spent 2010 with the Houston Astros’ Triple-A and Double-A affiliates.
Sing sets Mexican Pacific League record
November 27th, 2011
Brandon Sing of the Mazatlan Venados in the Mexican Pacific League set a record when he homered in the first four (4) games of the 2011 Winter season. He was named “Player of the Week” for the first week of the season.
Sing, who played for the independent Sioux Falls Pheasants in 2010, also holds the American Association single-season record for HR (27) and the record for single-season SLG (.702). Over the past four (4) seasons playing independent ball, Brandon has averaged 24 HR, 80 RBI, 29 2b, and a .300 avg.
Brandon was a 20th round draft selection by the Chicago Cubs in the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft.
Twitter updates
November 27th, 2011
Be sure to follow us and our clients on a daily basis on Twitter – @npgsports:
TIFFANY BROOKS MAKES PRO BASEBALL HISTORY
July 7th, 2011
TIFFANY BROOKS MAKES PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL HISTORY
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2011) With her participation in the Arizona Summer League set to begin July 12, 2011 in Yuma, AZ, TIFFANY BROOKS will become the first female professional baseball player in history to participate in the California Winter, Arizona Winter and Arizona Summer professional baseball leagues.
Tiffany is a 6’2”, 195 lb. RHP/1B from Spokane, WA who has transcended professional baseball and helped pave the way for women to competitively participate in America’s favorite pastime.
Tiffany has been featured in film (“Throw Like A Girl”) and literature (“The Bus Leagues Experience”), and has numerous accolades on her baseball resume, most notably:
• First female to play in 100-year history of Dutch Men’s Baseball League (2007)
• 2-time Silver Medalist in the Phoenix Cup Women’s International Baseball Tournament (2008 & 2009)
• Only female to participate in the NABA Men’s World Series (2009)
• First female on Hollywood Legends Barnstorming Baseball Club (team comprised of ex-MLB players including Bill Madlock, Darrell Evans & Bill Lee, 2010)
• First female to play in American men’s professional baseball league in 21st Century (2010)
The Arizona Summer League is 4-team professional league playing a 16-game schedule, plus playoffs and a championship scheduled for August 1, 2011. A modified “Spring Training” will begin on July 9, 2011, and the regular season will commence on July 12.
Tiffany is sponsored by Akadema Professional, 3n2 Sports, Jaeger Sports & 90 MPH Club.com.
For more information or interview requests:
Nello P. Gamberdino II
773.294.5532
ngamberdino@yahoo.com
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NPG Sports welcomes RYAN COPELAND, Cardinals organization
March 11th, 2011
We are pleased to welcome our newest client, RYAN COPELAND, St. Louis Cardinals organization, to the NPG Sports family!
Ryan was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft out of Illinois State University. He was assigned to their Rookie team in the Appalachian League and simply dominated his opponents. He finished with a record of 7-0, 48 SO, 7 BB, OPP AVG of .202, and an ERA of 1.86. For his efforts, Ryan was named to the Post-Season All-Star Team, and was named league Pitcher of the Year.
We are looking forward to seeing what Ryan does for an encore in 2011!
NPG Sports signs Jose Canseco as new client
December 29th, 2010
Nello P. Gamberdino II is proud to announce that he has been hired by 1988 American League MVP Jose Canseco! During his illustrious and unforgettable 17-year Major League career, Jose slugged 462 Home Runs for eight different teams. Additionally, he earned 6 All-Star selections, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, was 1986 AL Rookie of the Year, 1994 AL Comeback Player of the Year, and is a 2-time World Series champion.
Jose has retained Mr. Gamberdino and NPG Sports to assist in the procurement of endorsement and marketing opportunities, as well as to help regenerate his baseball playing career, and allow him the chance to once again participate in the game that he so passionately loves.
