Clones Moving on Without Vogl, Richey and Kawal

July 20, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

On Jul. 7 and 9, the New York Mets released three Cyclones, infielder Brandon “El Huerte” Richey and outfielders Will Vogl and Brandon Kawal.

While their stats alone don’t attest to how valuable they were on the team, their character, passion and candor on the field made all three special players in one way or another.

The so-called “funny” guy on the team, Richey was never given a real opportunity to play shortstop when Mets first round pick Reese Havens went down with an injury and in part-time duty, amassed only 9 hits in 40 ABs. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old, who spoke fluent Spanish, made sure that the handful of Latino players on the team were never out of the loop and did his best to make them feel comfortable on the bench.

A devastating power hitter during his college career at St. Johns, Vogl never recovered from a late-season slump last season that sent his batting average to a mediocre .240. This season, it looked like Vogl would stick around as the team’s fourth outfielder, but with John Servidio being recalled and Darren Clark sent to Brooklyn, the 24-year-old’s time in the organization was numbered. Known for his grit and clutch hitting, Vogl too set an example while on the field, never letting up, even when times were dark.

Of the three players released, Kawal was the only one that could say he was an All-Star with the Cyclones. Hitting .302 with 14 RBI in only 32 games last season, Kawal was a NYPL All-Star and was quickly climbing the organization’s depth chart. As a matter of fact, many saw the 23-year-old as the team’s leader heading into the 2008 season. However, just like Vogl, Kawal too was lost in the shuffle in the Keyspan outfield.

Releasing the trio in an effort to rehash the roster and turn the season around, the Cyclones were hoping some new faces would brighten the increasing dark skies around Keyspan Park this season. Going 2-8 in their past ten games, the moves have done little to ignite the team’s mediocre offense.

Some players still seem affected by the moves as well.

“It’s tough because you form bonds with these guys,” Brooklyn catcher Jordan Abruzzo, who played with Richey in Kingsport and Kawal and Vogl in Brooklyn last season, said. “You’re with them everyday and then you have to see them go. It’s like losing a brother, but that’s the business side of it. You keep in touch with them though. Kawal has been texting me to see how I’m doing, but it’s still tough to see him go.”

Others, while still hoping the trio finds a new home in professional baseball, are indifferent to it.

“This is baseball, it happens,” said Clones reliever Stephen Clyne, who also played in Brooklyn with Vogl and Kawal last season. “With all the new faces after the draft, some old faces had to go. Those guys are all good players, so I’m sure they’ll find a job somewhere else.”

Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo on the other hand, finds himself somewhere in the middle. Trying to turn around what may end up being his first losing season at the helm in Brooklyn, knows that changes had to be made in order to get his team, which as been struggling mightily all season at the plate, the firepower it needs to win.

That doesn’t mean he wanted to see the trio go though.

“It’s always hard for me to release players,” said Alfonzo. “Especially when you spend two years with those guys. The front office made those roster moves and they’re trying to bring in better players and win here. There’s nothing I can do about it. I hope they find a job somewhere else. It’s hard to be face to face with a player and tell them to go home. But this is professional baseball and we have to make tough decisions like these.”

Link:

Box Score to Last Night’s 5-4 Cyclone loss

Photos by Ron Hatcher.