BEACH BUMS DRAFT THREE

5/1/2012 - The Traverse City Beach Bums completed the final touches to their spring training roster today by selecting RHP Jason Mattila and infielders Albert Gonzalez and Felix Marte in the Frontier League Draft held in Washington, PA. Headshot photo credit to Robert A. Nelson, NDSU Athletic Media Relations. Action photo credit to Mike Janes Photography. Both photos courtesy of North Dakota State University.

“We’re looking forward to seeing these guys come in and perform against who we currently have on our roster,” said Beach Bums manager Gregg Langbehn. “All three are competing for a spot on our 24-man roster.”

With their first round pick (9th overall) the Beach Bums took RHP Jason Mattila. A product of North Dakota State University, as a senior for the Bison, he went 3-3 with seven saves in 19 games, compiling a 3.30 ERA. He whiffed 34 batters in 38.0 innings. As a junior in 2010, the 6’0” righty went 3-1 with a 6.52 ERA and struck out 21 batters in 29.0 innings.

His stint at NDSU came off a stellar two-year run at Miles Community College in Miles City, MT. As a sophomore in 2009, Mattila went 7-1 in 14 appearances (11 starts) with a sparkling 1.32 ERA. As a freshman he tossed complete games in his only two starts, making his other 10 appearances out of the bullpen going 2-4 overall with a 1.68 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 33.1 IP.

In the second round, Traverse City selected Albert Gonzalez. The infielder has three years of professional experience under his belt, most recently in the United League with the Coastal Bend Thunder and the Edinburg Roadrunners in 2010. That season he combined to hit .260 between the two teams with a homer and 25 RBI. Displaying a good eye at the plate, Gonzalez also walked 38 times for a .377 on-base percentage.

Gonzalez also played the 2009 season for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains in the American Association. He broke into professional ball in 2008, splitting time with the San Angelo Colts and Alexandria Aces of the United League. Overall, the 24-year old has 167 games of professional experience to his credit.

With their third round selection, TC chose infielder Felix Marte. Marte played for Monroe College in 2010 hitting .314 with a homer and six RBI before transferring to Marshall University.

Traverse City has had recent success in the draft. In 2010, the Beach Bums picked up right-hander Scott Dunn in the second round. Dunn has gone 10-5 with seven saves and a 2.43 ERA in 62 appearances in two seasons in TC. Last year he finished sixth in the FL in ERA at 2.58 while compiling a 9-3 record. In the 2011 first round, Traverse City selected RHP Don Pugliese who went 2-0 with a 3.32 ERA in 19 games for the Beach Bums last year. Pugliese struck out 34 batters in 38.0 innings.

A member of the 14-team Frontier League, individual game tickets are on sale for all 48 Beach Bums home games at Wuerfel Park from 10 am-6 pm Monday through Friday. The Beach Bums will host an exhibition game against the league’s newest team, the London Rippers, on May 12 at noon. Tickets are just $1 and parking is free.

Keep tabs on the Beach Bums and the latest news this off season by following on Twitter @beachbumstc, find us on Facebook or sign up to receive the Beach Bums newsletter right to your inbox! Season tickets are still available so join the Beach Bums Nation and be a part of our 2012 Lucky Seven Season. The Beach Bums will open up the home schedule on May 25 when they take on the Windy City ThunderBolts. For tickets, promotional information or sales opportunities, call 231-943-0100.