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Constant roster turnover hasn’t helped Dragons

Dayton breaks club record for players used as only five stay put all year.

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer 12:21 AM Friday, September 3, 2010

DAYTON — When new third baseman David Vidal took the field Thursday, Sept. 2, the Dayton Dragons set a single-season franchise record for players used. Fifty-five have appeared, five more than last season.

They have made 81 roster changes and just five players — catcher Mark Fleury, third baseman Frank Pfister, outfielder Alex Oliveras and pitchers Jacob Johnson and Junior Martinez — have been on the roster all season.

Some, such as relief pitcher Donnie Joseph and first baseman Chris Richburg, outgrew this level and were gone quickly. Others, such as shortstop Didi Gregorius and second baseman Henry Rodriguez, hung around until the final week before receiving their promotions to Lynchburg.

“You look at Lynchburg and who’s playing up there and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty talented team.’ And most of them were here in Dayton — this year,” Dragons manager Todd Benzinger said.

The Dragons were 30-39 in the first half, then fell apart in the second half partially due to the many call-ups.

“It’s not that the players who replaced them were any less talented,” Benzinger said. “In fact, they’re not. It’s just that they were inexperienced, and they had to learn the hard way.”

In 2009, the Midwest League averaged 45 players per team. The Dragons’ record of 54 had stood since 2003.

ALUMNI UPDATE: The next former Dragon to wear a big-league uniform might not be Dave Sappelt, but the outfielder is putting himself in good position.

Sappelt was named MVP of the Southern League after batting .361 with with nine home runs and 62 RBIs in 89 games for the Carolina Mudcats, the Reds’ Class AA affiliate.

In 74 games for the Dragons in 2009, Sappelt batted .269 with three homers, 25 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. He played at three levels this season, ending up at Class AAA Louisville.

A FREE LUNCH: There’s no cash bonus for those voted as players of the month by the fans, but there is the promise of free food. Johnson, who went 3-0 with a 4.50 ERA in August, will collect his award at the Bob Evans on Merily Way in Huber Heights today at noon along with runner-up Clayton Shunick.

“Bob Evans is good enough for me,” said Johnson, the team’s most consistent pitcher since late May.

Rodriguez, who batted .381 with three home runs and 19 RBIs, was voted hitter of the month. Being in Lynchburg, he will be unable to attend. Fans are welcome.

Hot Rods 5, Dragons 1

Highlights: With three players from the Arizona League Reds in the lineup, the Dragons were held to two hits over six innings by lefty Kyle Lobstein, a second-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 who was given a $1.5 million signing bonus. Frank Pfister’s leadoff homer in the ninth broke up the shutout.

Turning point: Already up 1-0, BG added four runs in the fifth off Jacob Johnson and Daniel Renken. Eight of the first nine batters reached base in an inning that included four walks, an error, two wild pitches and a passed ball.

On deck: With their streak of three straight series wins snapped, the Dragons will try to avoid being swept by the Hot Rods tonight. Saturday, South Bend reports to begin the season’s final series.

— Sean McClelland, staff writer

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