Givens and Baker in Australia

[TakebackOPACY]

Separate topic than the guys playing for the Perth Heat, but I think Stockstill is in Australia right now.

The O's signed a 23-yr old MiL free agent for what looks like minor league catching depth a couple days ago.

Stockstill is scheduled to be in New Zealand next week.

This isn't a new trip as a result of Duquette. It was already scheduled, and was made last year as well. They signed 17-year old Aussie Matthew Wilson in August.

http://www.baseballvictoria.com.au/d...asp?Page=78625
As currently planned, he'll join the O's minor league system in 2013.

[Frobby]

Update:

Givens .352/.406/.528, 5 HR, 18 RBI in 41 games.
Baker .256/.340/.524, 5 HR, 20 RBI in 23 games.

Baker hasn't played since before Christmas. Is he hurt, or did he just go home?

[Frobby]

The ABL regular season is over. Mychal Givens finished 4th in the league in BA, 6th in OBP, 11th in SLG. His Perth team had the best record in the ABL, won its opening playoff series and will play for the ABL title beginning Feb. 10.

[CharmCityHokie]

That is intense for our guys, they'll pretty much have no break in between the ABL and spring training, hope they can recover and carry over their great success back to the States.

Also, just wanted to point out that Perth catcher Allan de San Miguel was signed by us and put up a nice 293/400/478 line in the ABL as well, though his stateside minor league stats aren't nearly as solid. I think it's pretty clear the ABL is an offense driven league.