Wild Things Sign Cuban Slugger Reydel Medina, Place Two On Suspended List
WASHINGTON, Pa. (April 19) -Today the Wild Things announced three roster moves, which will be the final three before next week's Frontier League Draft. Washington signed Cuban outfielder Reydel Medina. The Wild Things also acquired Washington, Pennsylvania native and outfielder Joey Havrilak from the Gary SouthShore RailCats, before placing him and 2017 All Star outfielder Rashad Brown on the suspended list.
Medina comes the Wild Things' way after his release from the Cincinnati Reds' organization, where he spent the last four seasons after signing as an International Free Agent. In four minor-league seasons, Medina hit 36 home runs and drove in 148 runs.
He started his pro career in 2014 with the Reds' Arizona League rookie team, before reaching as high as Double-A Pensacola in 2017. Most of his time in the Reds' system was spent with the Daytona Tortugas (Advanced A). His best power season came in 2015, when he hit 13 home runs in 236 plate appearances for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. Medina hit eight home runs and drove in 43 runs with 18 doubles as a member of the Daytona squad in 2017.
“Reydel was the Reds’ top international signing in 2014. His journey to the states was not easy but his perseverance and love for the game kept his dream alive," said assistant general manager of team operations Tony Buccilli. "He is a very toolsy kid with noted power and a natural sense to play the game all out. Offensively, he should be one of the biggest X-factors [on our team]. His extra-base hit potential and run production should give us added depth to our lineup.”
The Wild Things also acquired outfielder Joey Havrilak from the Gary SouthShore Railcats of the American Association for a player to be named. Havrilak, a native of Washington, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Trinity High School, was selected in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft by the Detroit Tigers, where he played two seasons, before being released after an injury prior to the 2017 season. Havrilak appeared in 13 games for the Railcats last season.
Havrilak was placed on the suspended list, which keeps him under team control, but does not make him an active member of the Wild Things' roster.
“We acquired Joey with the expectations of him returning home to play in front of his Washington community," said Buccilli. "Unfortunately, we do not expect him to commit to playing in 2018 due to his career away from baseball.”
The final roster move announced today involves 2017 Frontier League All Star Rashad Brown. Brown played his first season with the Wild Things last year and was a defensive stalwart in centerfield. He hit .275 with an on-base percentage of .343 to go along with 29 stolen bases, 15 doubles and six triples. Rashad was awarded the Fran Riordan Citizenship Award at the end of the 2017 campaign as well. The Atlanta, Georgia native was placed on the suspended list today.
“Rashad requested that we shift him to the suspended list to start 2018, as he is dealing with family issues," said Buccilli. "We are uncertain if he will join us at some point during the summer or if his playing career is over. We certainly appreciate all he did for us on and off the field, being a great community figure and playing every day with that big smile on his face.”
The Wild Things open the season May 11 at Evansville, and will sign at least two players from the Frontier League's draft next week, prior to the start of Spring Training April 29.
