Catcher Kyle Pollock Re-Signs With Washington for 2018
WASHINGTON, Pa. - When the 2018 season begins, the Wild Things will now have two players beginning their third seasons with the team: RHP Chase Cunningham and catcher Kyle Pollock. The latter re-signed with the team today. Pollock is also the first position player to re-up with the Wild Things.
Pollock was drafted in the 20th round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals out of the University of Evansville. He spent two seasons with the Royals' organization, before being released and finding a home in Washington, Pennsylvania, with the Wild Things.
Pollock was a big part of the last two teams, as the starting catcher, and earned his way on to the 2017 Frontier League All-Star team last season. After hitting .214 with a .308 OBP in 2016, and throwing out 15 of 55 potential base-stealers that season, Pollock turned it up a notch, and hit .255 with a .362 OBP and .827 OPS in 2017. The Westerville Central High School grad launched 11 home runs and drove in 41 runs offensively, and added 16 doubles and a triple. Behind the dish, Pollock remained one of the better defensive catchers in the league, and threw out 29% of runners attempting to steal.
"Quality catching is very hard to find and we believe we have best in the Frontier League here in Washington. Kyle greatly deserved the honor of being an All-Star in 2017, pairing his defensive abilities to limit the running game with the offensive fireworks we expected when we signed him," said Wild Things' general manager Steven Zavacky. "He takes a lot of pride in developing young pitchers and he has a great relationship with our manager Gregg Langbehn. We are excited to announce Kyle’s return for 2018 and look forward to seeing his family at the ballpark throughout the summer.”
The returning catcher said he didn't really have second thoughts about coming back to the team for a third season.
"I'm stoked. I love the staff, the team and the front office crew," said Pollock. "I had a blast the last two seasons... Personally I am looking forward to making another run at a playoff berth. I know a lot of guys are coming back as well and I think that will be a tremendous positive for the team atmosphere because it was the best group of guys I have ever played with in my professional career."
As for what his role may change to being in his third year with the team and in the Frontier League, Pollock is looking forward to a few things.
"I think as a player gets older their role evolves into more of a [role of being a] mentor and [setting an] example to the new guys," said Pollock. "There are some bittersweet feelings, based on my experience, from being released from an affiliated program, which I think I can help some players deal with. All of the guys who were there to talk to when I arrived in Washington are no longer here, so I feel as though it is a good role to inherit."
He continued, "After being in the league for a couple of seasons there are a few strategies that differ from affiliated ball along with the freedom you don't have in the MiLB system as well, which I think I could articulate to new players."
From a goals standpoint, Pollock isn't satisfied with the team's success in 2017. He wants more.
He thinks the tools for success are already present, saying this opportunity is one he's "truly blessed to have stumbled into."
"I know the manager has a very effective way of managing that most players do not get to see in affiliated and college programs," said Pollock. "Our director of team operations does a phenomenal job of recruiting quality baseball players who do a great job both on and off the field."
"Banger [manager Gregg Langbehn] gives us freedom as baseball players, that I can safely say, no other organization gives their players, which allows us to play loose and free."
Pollock joins Cunningham and LHP's Frank Trimarco and Jake Eaton as players who have re-signed with the team for 2018. Two more will be announced later this week.
