Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Blogs:
Pets:
Sunburn in canines and felines
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook, New "90210" on DVD
Patrick McManamon:
Another NBA free agent goes to a Cavs competitor
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Northern Illinois
Browns Bulletin:
Single-game ticket sales begin July 11
Tribe Matters:
Marte is IL’s Batter of the Week
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Free Agency Update: Frye in View?
All Da King's Men:
The Obligatory Palin Post
Blog of Mass Destruction:
The "Limbaugh Babies"
Akron Law Café:
The Veil and the Burqa – Constitutional to Ban or Restrict?
Varsity Letters:
Solon’s Baldwin could decide soon
See Jane Style:
Picnic Wear
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
ID My Bug
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jennifer inquires about a bus tour to Atlantic City
Sound Check:
Rundgren fans rejoice!: Second night of AWATS at The Civic added
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
Hot link: Best of Nintendo at E3
Utility infielder adding outfield to a lengthy list of positions he can play
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, May 12, 2008
When Brandon Chaves arrived in Akron as a minor-league free agent to start the season, he was considered a utility player in that he could play both second and third base.
But it didn't take long to realize that the former long-time Altoona Curve infielder could be even more versatile.
When Aeros outfield prospect Trevor Crowe went on the disabled list in early April with a lower back injury, it left the Aeros with just three outfielders. Instead of calling up a young outfielder from high Class-A Kinston, first-year Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh turned to Chaves and asked him to give left field a shot.
''I was surprised to be thrown out there, but at least I'd played out there before briefly,'' Chaves said. ''I just tried not to look bad out there.''
Then during two games last week with Wes Hodges in the lineup as designated hitter, Chaves filled in at third base — a position he hadn't played in two years, since he last filled in for an injured player in Altoona.
''But I'm not going to say no,'' Chaves said. ''I'm just glad for the opportunity.''
It's that kind of attitude that has made the 6-foot-3, switch-hitting native of Hawaii even more valuable to the Aeros than first expected.
''I don't know where we'd be without him,'' Sarbaugh said. ''Any team is lucky to have a guy so versatile that he can fill so many positions like that in a pinch.''
Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the 2000 draft, the nine-year veteran had spent at least parts of the last four seasons at Double-A Altoona before leaving the organization as a free agent.
''Altoona wanted to sign me back, but I wanted to try something new,'' Chaves said. ''The Pirates changed a lot of their front-office people at the top, and I didn't really know anybody. Plus, I thought it was time for a change.''
So Chaves' agent had begun talking with officials from the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, when the Indians came calling.
''I was surprised because they [the Indians] don't usually sign a lot of free agents at this level,'' Chaves said. ''But it seemed like a good situation at the time, and now I love it here.''
Aeros postponed
Sunday's afternoon game with visiting Trenton (New York Yankees) was rained out. Because Trenton does not come back to Akron during the remainder of the regular season, the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Aeros travel to New Jersey for a series Aug. 7-10.
Up next
Thanks to some timely rain, Aeros players and coaches are enjoying the rare luxury of two consecutive days off before getting back to action Tuesday, when they travel to Altoona (Pittsburgh Pirates) for a three-game series. The Aeros are expected to send left-hander Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.51 ERA) to the mound to face Curve right-hander Jimmy Barthmaier (2-1, 5.29 ERA) on Tuesday. After the Altoona series, Akron will continue to Reading (Philadelphia Phillies) for a weekend series before returning to Akron May 19-26 to kick off an eight-game home stand.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
When Brandon Chaves arrived in Akron as a minor-league free agent to start the season, he was considered a utility player in that he could play both second and third base.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
