OTTAWA-‘Down on the Farm’ is a regular feature on Baseball.ca that highlights Canadian’s in the minor leagues. This week we profile 3 veteran minor leaguers at the Double-A level.
Tim Smith (Toronto, ON) – Mississippi Braves (Double-A)
It didn’t take Tim Smith long to find work after he and the Kansas City Royals parted ways after Spring Training. The member of the 2011 Pan Am Gold Medal winning team signed with the Atlanta Braves in April and was assigned to Single-A Lynchburg where he hit .320 in only 15 games before being promoted to Double-A Mississippi. Smith has found a comfortable home with the Braves as he’s hit .286 with 2 home runs and 20 RBIs through 44 games. Smith was a key contributor to Canada’s bronze medal team at last year’s World Cup, while patrolling the outfield and scored the eventual game winning run as Canada defeated the United States 2-1 to claim gold at the Pan Am Games in late October.
James Avery (Moose Jaw, SK) – Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)
James Avery found himself with a new organization, the Detroit Tigers, in 2012 after seven seasons with the club that drafted him, the Cincinnati Reds. Avery has adjusted to life nicely with his new organization pitching with Erie in the Eastern League. The 2008 Olympian has recorded 10 victories already this season in only 20 starts and has a 4.24 ERA with 90 strikeouts to his credit. No stranger to international play, Avery played for Canada at the 2002 World Junior Championship in Sherbrooke, QC where Canada finished fourth with a team that included future big-leaguers Adam Loewen, David Davidson and Chris Leroux.
Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON) – Akron Aeros (Double-A)
Known for his keen eye at the plate and tremendous power, Nick Weglarz has been an intriguing prospect for the Cleveland Indians since they made him a third round selection in 2005. A slew of injuries have hampered the slugger’s career who is looking to get back on track now that he is healthy. Weglarz found himself back at Double-A Akron after Spring Training and has 13 homers in 85 games to go along with 46 RBIs and 43 walks to date. A healthy campaign has to be a positive for the 2008 Olympian and 2009 WBC participant who mashed 23 home runs in 2007 and hit .285 at two minor league levels in 2010.
To keep track of all Canadians playing baseball in the minor leagues this season check out their stats courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Network:
