April 19, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Washington Wild Things Washington, Pa. - The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, have added some experience to their roster and another power arm to their pitching staff, while also dealing four players to the New Mexico-based Pecos League.

The Wild Things acquired catcher Chris Anderson from the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League for a player to be named later and signed hard-throwing left-hander Kevin Johnson, infielder Nick Lockwood, catcher Marco Davalillo and outfielder James Simmons, who played six seasons in the San Francisco Giants' chain.

At the same time, the club shipped catcher Justin McDavid to the Alpine Cowboys and three players, outfielder Rashad Taylor, left-handed pitcher Matt Kretchner and catcher David Peters to the Roswell Invaders. All the players traded by Washington were signed during the offseason, and three had no professional experience. All were traded for players to be named later.

The acquisition of Anderson should help mitigate the loss of catcher Adrian Bravo Carmona, whose contract was sold to the Tampa Bay Rays recently.

"Chris Anderson and Kevin Johnson both bring power to the Wild Things," Washington Manager Chris Bando said. "Anderson has pop in his bat and Johnson is a power left-handed arm. We are excited to have both (of them) compete this spring."

Anderson is a native of Spring Valley, CA and has played professionally since 2007. He played two seasons at San Diego State University under Hall of Famer outfielder Tony Gwynn, the school's head baseball coach, and was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves in June 2007. He graduated from SDSU with a degree in public administration.

He played for Danville of the Appalachian (rookie) League that year and followed that by playing in two Class A Leagues (Rome of the Sally League and Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League) in 2008. He also played for Danville that year. Anderson played for the same teams in 2009, and in the Class AA Southern League with Mississippi. In 2010, he played again with Mississippi, Myrtle Beach and Rome.

In 91 affiliated minor league games, he owns a .201 batting average in 234 at bats with 27 runs, 11 doubles, three home runs, 19 RBI, 44 walks and 109 strikeouts.

For New Jersey in 2011, Anderson (6-0, 215 pounds) hit .244 in 44 games and 123 at bats. He had 30 hits with 19 runs, three doubles and eight home runs. He drove in 21, walked 10 times and struck out 58 times.

Johnson, 24, was the Texas Rangers' 42nd-round pick in the 2010 MLB Draft out of the University of Cincinnati. He split the 12011 season between the rookie-level Arizona League and Class A Hickory, posting a 3.86 ERA in 24 appearances. In 44-1/3 innings, he yielded 45 hits, walked 41 and struck out 49.

The 6-foot-5 lefty features an 88-91 mph fastball with a big-breaking low-70s curve and the occasional changeup.

In 2010, he played in all 58 games for the University of Cincinnati either at first base or pitcher. He hit .258 with nine home runs and 35 RBI for the Bearcats that season. He tied for the team lead in doubles with 14, and his nine home runs and 35 RBI ranked second on the team.

Johnson made 11 appearances on the mound, including six starts. He posted a 1-2 record and struck out 22 in 31-1/3 innings. He had a 3.73 ERA.

He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in 2009.

Lockwood was a ninth-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in the 2009 MLB Draft. The 5-11 infielder played for the Gulf Coast Twins of the Rookie League the last two years and had two stints with the Class A Appalachian League Elizabethtown Twins in 2010 and 2011.

In 120 minor-league games the past three seasons, Lockwood had a .244 batting average in 427 at bats. He scored 57 runs and had 104 hits with 18 doubles, a triple and two home runs. He knocked in 39 runs. He batted .260 in 52 games in 2011.

Davalillo (6-1, 210) played in the Philadelphia Phillies chain for two seasons (2009-2010). He hit. 317 in 2009 and .260 in 2010.He played in 89 minor league games those two seasons and had an overall average of .317.

Simmons (6-3, 207) had a .239 batting average in his six seasons with 68 doubles, 22 triples and 39 home runs. He stole 81 bases and drove in 194 runs. He was drafted by the Giants in 2005.

Last season, he played at San Jose in the California League and at Class AAA Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.

The Wild Things also released pitcher Daniel Schmidt, signed several weeks ago.

The Wild Things open the 2012 season on the road, but will celebrate their home opener May 22-27 with Legends Week. Tickets are available at the CONSOL Energy Park box office.& &

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