Billy Petrick signs with an Independent League Team

[Wrigley Rat]

The Windy City ThunderBolts professional baseball team, 2007 and 2008 Frontier League Champions, has announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Billy Petrick to a contract for the 2009 season.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3777160

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Is he still trying to come back from injury? What happened to him?

[Wrigley Rat]

Is he still trying to come back from injury? What happened to him?

Billy Petrick had shoulder surgery in 2005 and has been trying to regain his strength ever since. When he was called up to the Cubs (in '07?), he had regained much of that strength but has struggled to maintain it. Last year, he was put on the Cubs minor league suspended list and not much came out about it, but here is what Arizona Phil had to say about it:

 

Noticed that Billy Petrick is now listed as suspended. Any idea what happened?

================================

HOOK: I'm not exactly sure, but I can tell you that when a player is placed on his club's "Suspended List," it means he either refused to see a club doctor for a physical examination, or refused to engage in required rehab work, or refused to take the field when so ordered, or otherwise was patently insubordinate.

 

If the player is on a 40-man roster at the time he is placed on the Suspended List (as is the case with Petrick), he does continue to count against his club's 40-man roster. So when a player on a 40-man roster is placed on the Suspended List, he usually doesn't stay there for long. Either the problem is "resolved," or the player gets traded, released, or outrighted to the minors

 

The MLB "Suspended List" is a completely different list, and it is used for players who are suspended for violation of the prohibited substance ban, or as the result of an on-field incident (usually a fight). A player on a 25-man roster who is placed on the MLB Suspended List for any reason OTHER THAN a violation of the ban on prohibited substances cannot be replaced on his club's 25-man roster by another player and must remain on his club's active roster throughout the length of the suspension.

 

When a player on a 40-man roster is suspended by MLB for violation of the ban on prohibited substances, the player can be placed on his club's "Restricted List," which basically means the player has taken a club-approved Leave of Absence, usually without pay.

 

Players on the Restricted List do not count against the club's 40-man roster. A player can also be placed on the Restricted List when the player is attending school, or needs to attend to a pressing legal matter or family situation (not related to death or illness) during the season, as well as when a player fails to return a signed contract for the following season, or fails to report for Spring Training by the mandatory reporting date or to a minor league assignment within the required period.

 

If a player leaves his club during the season because of a death in the family or family illness, the player can be placed on his club's Bereavement List for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days. A player on the Bereavement List continues to get paid but does not count against his club's 25-man roster.

 

If a player on Bereavement Leave needs more time away beyond seven days (as happened with Cliff Floyd last season), the player can (with club approval) be transferred from the Bereavement List to the Restricted List, but then the club has the option to not pay the player for the period of time the player spends on the Restricted List.

[Guest]

Oneri Fleita said that was a clerical error and that Petrick shouldn't have been on the suspended list.

[Wrigley Rat]

Oneri Fleita said that was a clerical error and that Petrick shouldn't have been on the suspended list.

Thanks Raisin - I forgot about that! Here's the article about it:

http://cubs.scout.com/2/794041.html

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So, I'm guessing his velocity never returned and that's why he was cut loose?

[Wrigley Rat]

So, I'm guessing his velocity never returned and that's why he was cut loose?

I believe he was a six-year minor league free agent and the Cubs weren't willing to put him on the 40-man roster. If he wanted to re-sign with the Cubs, he probably could've signed a minor league deal, but might have been cut after spring training if his velocity wasn't where it needed to be. My guess is that he felt a guaranteed independent league roster spot was a better long term bet than a non-guaranteed minor league deal with the Cubs. Who knows!?!?!?

[Guest]

So, I'm guessing his velocity never returned and that's why he was cut loose?

 

Velocity came and went, health was overlying issue. But yeah, he was a 6-year FA. I'm surprised he didn't sign with another organization.

[videographer]

Let's review the 2002 Cubs draft:

 

 

1. Bobby Brownlie, rhp - pre-exsisting arm injury, released AA ball

1. Luke Hagerty, lhp, arm injury, released low A ball

1. Chadd Blasko, rhp, arm injury, released AA ball

1. Matt Clanton, rhp, arm injury, released short season ball

2. Brian Dopirak, 1b, released AA ball

2. Justin Jones, lhp, arm injury, traded

3. Billy Petrick, rhp, arm injury, released after short stint in MLB

4. Rich Hill, lhp, less than 2 years as MLB starting pitcher, traded after control problems

13. Micah Hoffpauir, 1b, MLB

38. Randy Wells, c, short stint at MLB as rhp, arm injury

 

Anyone remember the great expectations for this draft? 4 number one picks, 2 second rounders and nothing in return, albiet, Justin Jones as trade bait. The first 6 pitchers had arm injuries. Rich Hill looks to be the success of this draft and he was an afterthought to most draft watchers because of his age and control issues at Michigan. And yet, this is one of the most successful Cubs drafts in terms of quantity of players to reach MLB. Only 2000 and 2001 have a better haul of talent in the last dozen years.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Let's review the 2002 Cubs draft:

 

 

1. Bobby Brownlie, rhp - pre-exsisting arm injury, released AA ball

1. Luke Hagerty, lhp, arm injury, released low A ball

1. Chadd Blasko, rhp, arm injury, released AA ball

1. Matt Clanton, rhp, arm injury, released short season ball

2. Brian Dopirak, 1b, released AA ball

2. Justin Jones, lhp, arm injury, traded

3. Billy Petrick, rhp, arm injury, released after short stint in MLB

4. Rich Hill, lhp, less than 2 years as MLB starting pitcher, traded after control problems

13. Micah Hoffpauir, 1b, MLB

38. Randy Wells, c, short stint at MLB as rhp, arm injury

 

Anyone remember the great expectations for this draft? 4 number one picks, 2 second rounders and nothing in return, albiet, Justin Jones as trade bait. The first 6 pitchers had arm injuries. Rich Hill looks to be the success of this draft and he was an afterthought to most draft watchers because of his age and control issues at Michigan. And yet, this is one of the most successful Cubs drafts in terms of quantity of players to reach MLB. Only 2000 and 2001 have a better haul of talent in the last dozen years.

 

Clanton was also a psycho. I think that should be noted as well.

[Brian]

Well if he's done, it's nice that he got a cup of coffee at least.

[jyoung55]

So, I'm guessing his velocity never returned and that's why he was cut loose?

I believe he was a six-year minor league free agent and the Cubs weren't willing to put him on the 40-man roster. If he wanted to re-sign with the Cubs, he probably could've signed a minor league deal, but might have been cut after spring training if his velocity wasn't where it needed to be. My guess is that he felt a guaranteed independent league roster spot was a better long term bet than a non-guaranteed minor league deal with the Cubs. Who knows!?!?!?

 

People are in the Frontier League because that's the best they can do... not because it is a better bet than a non-guaranteed minor league deal.

 

Go Otters!

[bukie]

I'm actually pretty interested to go see him pitch this year, considering the Bolts' home park is about 3 blocks from my house and tickets are 5 dollars.

[videographer]

For what its worth, Billy Petrick is listed on the Iowa roster (3/20) posted at Cubs.com. These temporary rosters for the affiliates are updated daily. I wonder if Arizona Phil has spotted Petrick at Fitch Park?