Nationals Sign A. Wall

On Wednesday, the Washington Nationals purchased the contract of Cowboys left-handed pitcher Andrew Wall.  Wall, a reliever, has been assigned to the Nationals short-season single-A affiliate, the Auburn Doubledays.

Wall had been one of the most dependable arms out of the bullpen all season, with a 2.70 earned run average over 22 appearances, and a near three-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.  He was used as both a match-up lefty and a late inning reliever out of the Cowboys bullpen.  The 23-year-old rookie showed terrific development over the course of the season, as he proved he was able to get both right and left-handed batters out, and his fastball velocity increased into the low 90s. 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Ballard, Ballard Photography

“A. Wall’s been throwing really well,” Cowboys Manger Ryan Stevens said of his now former player, “He’s a power pitcher, and he’s a power lefty arm coming out of the pen.  There aren’t too many guys like him.”

Wall, who hails from Newfield, New York, and played his college ball at Ithaca College, will be right in his backyard with Auburn in upstate New York for the rest of the season. “It’s surreal,” Wall said, “Being only an hour away from home, it’s unbelievable.  It’ll be nice to have family there and friends there.”

In the short two-year history of the Pecos League, four players have made the jump to Major League Baseball affiliated teams, three of which have now come from the Cowboys.  Ryan Stevens is quickly garnering a reputation as one of the best managers around independent baseball, especially pertaining to his ability to move players up to higher levels.

“I try to find the best all around players that might have been overlooked.  We want to get them in the system and teach them ‘the Cowboy way.’

“It’s more than just [their skill] on the field, though.  We want guys who have good character and strong work ethic.  From there, we just try to give them the best opportunity to succeed.”

Two of Stevens’ 2011 Cowboys, David Valesente and Jon Edwards, are currently playing in single-A, for the Pirates and Rangers organizations, respectively.  Both signed affiliated contracts this past winter.

Wall looks forward to another new opportunity.  “Coming out of college, [signing with an afilliated team] wasn’t really something I saw in my future, but having the opportunity to play with a great group of guys, a great organization, and a great coach,” Wall said, “everything fell into place.”