Since the end of June, the State College Spikes have been relatively quiet in terms of transactions.
After the hectic first few weeks where the parent club Pittsburgh Pirates were sending players in and out of the Short-Season A club, the roster has remained mostly unchanged. In fact, the club has only been involved in four roster moves since the calendar turned to July.
"They don't owe us any explanation," Spikes general manager Jason Dambach said. "We have an agreement with the Pirates to trust them to stock our team, and they don't owe us any explanation on any kind of moves, and we don't expect them to either."
The Spikes have made few moves this month, not including the rehab start made by Phil Dumatrait. Outfielder Evan Chambers was assigned to State College after signing his entry-level contract following the draft. Infielder Kyle Morgan was promoted to Single-A West Virginia, pitcher Owen Brolsma was re-assigned to State College from West Virginia and infielder Matt Payne was released.
The recent team stability is a big step since the beginning of the season, when the roster was still being developed. In the first week alone, 11 players were sent to or from State College. Five more were assigned to or from the Spikes before the month ended, and 10 members of the current Spikes roster weren't with the club on opening night.
As the roster stabilized, so has the team's record. The Spikes are 14-13 in the month of July, which has spurred State College to already surpass last year's win total (18) with almost half the season left.
"It's a lot easier," second baseman Brock Holt said. "Getting used to everyone being around, we all learned to kind of joke with each other. We've all become kind of a family here, so if everyone sticks around it's a whole lot easier."
Spikes manager Gary Robinson said the stability makes it easier for the coaching staff because there are no emotions involved with a guy who has just been promoted or demoted.
"Someone got sent down, a lot of times they're POed for 10 days," Robinson said. "It takes 10 days for them to decide 'you know what, the only way for me to get back up here is to perform, is to produce.' Guys who are sent up are so ecstatic and they probably never played under the lights."
The roster could change soon if the parent clubs continue to make moves. Two of the minor league pitchers the team acquired for major league shortstop Jack Wilson will be assigned to West Virginia, while the other will be sent to High Class-A Lynchburg.
There could possibly be players moved to State College in the future, either by trades or by assignment. If there is a new player, Holt is sure he won't have a problem adjusting to the clubhouse.
"All of us kind of get along," Holt said. "New guys, we'll be right there to welcome them in. We have a good time here, so I think they'll enjoy themselves."
