Making moves
ValleyCats add Kretzler, Winn ahead of series at Trois-Rivières
TROY, NY » The Tri-City ValleyCats made a series of moves ahead of their trip to Quebec to face the Trois-Rivières Aigles.
Four players were moved to the inactive list, due to visa issues and not being able to cross the border into Canada. Oddy Nuñez, a LHP, was activated and two local ballplayers were signed and activated to the active roster.
Tommy Kretzler, who grew up in Albany and attended Colonie High School, is an outfielder brought in by manager Pete Incaviglia ahead of the series. Kretzler played college baseball at SUNY Brockport.
With his senior season cut off in 2020 due to COVID-19, Kretzler spent two more seasons at Brockport as a graduate student. Playing 44 games in 2022, the former Raider hit for an average of .367 with 17 home runs and 64 RBI.
While listed as an outfielder on the ValleyCats roster, Kretzler has always been a two-way player. He was 7-2 on the mound this season with a 2.07 ERA and 71 strikeouts 69.2 innings.
Also joining the ‘Cats for the Trois-Rivières series is UAlbany alum RHP Marshall Winn.
“I threw a bullpen for Tri-City a week after my college season ended in May,” Winn said. “Then I heard back from Pete (Incaviglia) about a week ago. I’ve been with the team since then throwing bullpens and getting ready for this series.”
A reliever at UAlbany, Winn pitched 19.2 innings this season to a 4.66 ERA. He attended West Genesee High School, in the Syracuse area.
Being that the ValleyCats had four players unable to travel to Canada and were in need this week, it may turn out to be a short tenure for Kretzler and Winn. Incaviglia will reevaluate the roster once the team returns home to begin their weekend series against the Empire State Greys.
“I am uncertain about my future here, but I know that I have an amazing opportunity to play professional baseball and I’m looking to capitalize on it,” Winn said. “I’m extremely grateful and blessed for this opportunity. I’m looking to showcase my talents and hard-work and help the team win any way I can. Hopefully I’ll be able to stick around for a while, but I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Currently the ValleyCats have 23 players on their active roster. The minimum allowed is 22 players and the maximum is 24. LHP Leo Crawford, RHP Olbis Parra, INF Juan Santana and OF Jesus Lujano were all placed on the inactive list prior to Tuesday’s series opener against Trois-Rivières.
Winn will wear number 11 and Kretzler will wear number 15.