The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have been one of the busier teams in the American Association over the last three weeks. The club has a long history of success in the league, and has been making moves looking to return the club to its former glory.

The RedHawks’ most recent moves have been centered around building a quality everyday lineup and adding depth. The pitching staff got a lot of their attention early on, but it has been the outfield and infield where they have been making the biggest splash of late, and that has brought some quality talent to the club’s roster.

Key Transactions

On April 13, LHP Austin Kirk was signed by the RedHawks. The left-hander has spent the first six years of his professional career with the Chicago Cubs organization. Last season he split time between High-A Daytona and AA-Tennessee. Combined he went 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 39 appearances. He also recorded two saves.

One day later Fargo-Moorhead reacquired 1B John Duffy from Ottawa of the Can-Am League in exchange for future considerations. Duffy played for Sioux Falls in 2014, hitting .242 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 99 games. He had been dealt to Ottawa earlier in the off-season.

On tax day the RedHawks added a new asset by signing RHP Seth Harvey. The right-hander enters his sixth season of professional baseball this year. He played his first five in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Last season he split time between the Brewers rookie league team and Mid-A Wisconsin. Combined he pitched in 16 games, posting a 5.18 ERA. He has great command of his stuff, walking just 7 batters in 24.1 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts.

On April 16, Fargo-Moorhead signed INF Mikey Reynolds. He was with the club for just two weeks when he was dealt to York of the Atlantic League. He is hitting .286 so far this season.

On April 20, the club signed INF Brent Peterson and OF Ryan Mathews. Peterson has been a Cincinnati Reds prospect since being drafted in 2012. Last season he hit .281 in 39 games for High-A Bakersfield.

Mathews was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012, and was playing for their AA-Midland team earlier this season before joining Fargo-Moorhead. Last season at Mid-A Beloit he hit .269 with 12 homers and 42 RBI in 92 games. He should be a quality bat in their lineup.

Looking to add some more infield depth, the RedHawks re-signed Anthony Kaskadden on April 21. Kaskadden played in 71 games last season, hitting .213 with 3 homers and 22 RBI. He proved to be an outstanding middle infielder last year, making just three errors at short and second.

One day later Fargo-Moorhead brought in OF Chad Mozingo. Mozingo was the starting centerfielder for the Lincoln Saltdogs last season, and had been dealt to the Saints during the off-season. He was released by the Saints, but did not remain on the market for long. Mozingo hit .283 last season in 75 games, with 6 homers and 34 RBI. He also showed good speed, stealing 21 bases in 24 attempts. No doubt he will fit nicely in this lineup.

On April 24, INF Adalberto Santos was acquired from Somerset of the Atlantic League. Santos split time in three different organizations last season; AAA-Fresno (San Francisco), AAA-Indianapolis (Pittsburgh), and Mayaguez of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Combined he hit .221, but batted .353 at Mayaguez.

On April 27, the club brought in another infielder, this time reacquiring Frank Salerno. He was traded from New Jersey of the Can-Am League in exchange for Alex Powers. Salerno was with Fargo-Moorhead last season. He appeared in 12 games, hitting .327 with a homer and 10 RBI.

On the last day of April the RedHawks added LHP Mike Mason. The lefty was with the Colorado Rockies organization the first two seasons of his career, 2012-2013, but was injured last season. He was 3-1 in 2013 with a 3.38 ERA in 21 appearances. The lefty can bring the heat, striking out 28 in 29.1 innings pitched. He looks healthy and should be an outstanding arm in the team’s bullpen.

By Robert Pannier