Joliet Slammers Acquire 2012 Rookie of the Year

The Joliet Slammers issued this release on a trade the team just completed:

The Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy announce the completion of a trade that sent closer Justin Erasmus and shortstop Michael Wing to the Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League) at the end of the 2013 season.

In return, the Slammers have acquired the 2012 Frontier League Rookie of the Year and Frontier League All-Star, Zac Treece, and the rights to shortstop Vladimir Frias, who was signed by the Boston Red Sox in August 2013 but has since been released.

Treece, a right-handed reliever from Hot Springs, AR, was signed out of Quachita Baptist University (Great American Conference) by the Grizzlies in 2012. In his first professional season, the 6-3, 200-pound 24-year-old went 2-1 with a team-best 1.21 ERA in 36 appearances (all relief).

Treece struck out 54 batters and walked only 16 in 51 and two thirds innings. During the 2013 season, Treece saw similar action posting a 5-3 record with a 2.13 ERA in over 50 innings of work.

Slammers Field Manager Jeff Isom looks forward to the new additions. 

"We are excited to receive a quality bullpen arm like Zac. He has proven to be one of the best relievers over the past two seasons. We plan on using him in the backend of our bullpen," said Isom.

Frias enters his seventh professional season in 2014. The 27-year-old from the Dominican Republic was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2008 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Frias spent his first four years with the Giants between their Rookie and Double A clubs before being released in 2012. 

The Grizzlies then acquired Frias, but not for long. He hit .283 in 34 games with a steady glove at the shortstop position, drawing the attention of the Chicago Cubs who quickly purchased his contract from the Grizzlies.

Frias was let go from the Cubs organization, and returned to the Grizzlies only to be picked up by the Boston Red Sox before being released again.

"We plan on having Vlad solidify our infield at shortstop. While in the Frontier League, he has been one of the top defensive infielders. Not only can he make the plays on defense, he also has shown that he can be a key addition to the top of our lineup," said Isom.