The Long Island Ducks are still adding to their roster as opening day closes in. This week the Ducks added some international flavor to the roster when they signed first baseman Rixon Wingrove and catcher Aaron Antonini. Wingrove hails from Australia while Antonini is originally from Venezuela. While both players are entering their first season with the Ducks they are not new to professional baseball. WIngrove has five seasons under his belt while Antonini will be starting his fifth.
Wingrove comes from the Philadelphia Phillies organization and he had some impressive stats. You would expect a 6 foot 5 inch 23-year-old to have massive power and he showed it in his time in the minors. In 348 games, he totaled 45 home runs, 193 RBIs, and 63 doubles. The power stroke is there as he hit double digit dingers in each of the past three seasons, and smashed a career-high 16 in 2023.
He also has extensive time in his home country of Australia as he played six seasons in the Australia Baseball League. Once again he showed that power stroke that enticed the Phillies and now Ducks fans should look forward to. In 144 games, he hit 20 homers, 97 RBIs, and 32 doubles. The prototypical lefty first baseman was also solid with the glove and could develop into a star.
Antonini is slated to backup starting catcher Chance Sisco this season. He spent the past four seasons in the Cardinals organization. Antonini also has displayed some power in his short stint, but his defense is his calling card. In 193 games, he hit 24 home runs, 101 RBIs, 87 runs, and 86 walks. The 25-year-old showed off his glove with a .988 fielding percentage and threw out 42 percent of runners attempting to steal. In 2022, he combined to throw out a career-best 49 percent of runners attempting to steal with High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield.
Ducks manager Lew Ford was excited about the additions saying “Rixon adds power from the left side of the plate and a strong defensive presence at first base. Aaron does a great job behind the plate and has a terrific arm. We are excited to add both players to our team.”