MIAMIMIAMI—Ryan Schimpf was born in New Orleans, played college baseball in Baton Rouge and spends his offseasons in Covington, La., the same town where he attended high school. For him and for several other LSU products, the devastation wreaked by this month’s floods in Louisiana brought a sense of helplessness.
With five weeks left in the major league regular season, they remain physically separated from a state attempting to recover from the nation’s worst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy.
“It’s one of those things where I wish I could do a little more, but obviously we can’t,” Schimpf, the Padres’ rookie second baseman, said. “That’s why we wanted to put something together, since we’re not there especially, to give back in some sort of way.”
Schimpf is one of nine major leaguers who recently launched the “Pitch in with Former Tigers” campaign. The group — Schimpf, the White Sox’s Anthony Ranaudo, the Dodgers’ Louis Coleman, the Astros’ Will Harris and Alex Bregman, the Phillies’ Aaron Nola, the Rockies’ DJ LeMahieu, the Orioles’ Kevin Gausman and the Rays’ Mikie Mahtook — is aiming to raise $250,000 for the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund.
“So many people lost so much, and a lot of them don’t have flood insurance,” Schimpf said. “We all just wanted to help out. Anthony Ranaudo did a lot of the legwork as far as getting the website set up and all that stuff. It’s kind of our little thing, trying to get people to pitch in and help, and we’re going to help as well.
“I don’t know if everyone around the country knows how bad it is. Even I probably don’t know the severity of the situation, just not being there. We’re just trying to make people aware and trying to help out as much as we can, because it’s very close to home for all of us.”
To donate to the Pitch in with Former Tigers campaign, click here.
Schimpf’s parents were flooded in March, but they had insurance and “it didn’t affect as many people on such a big scale like this,” Schimpf said.
Two weeks ago, a prolonged torrent of rain damaged or destroyed more than 100,000 homes. The Schimpf family escaped the worst of it, but thousands of others did not.
“It’s just water and flooding,” Schimpf said. “It’ll do some serious damage.
“We’re just trying to make people aware of what’s going on, and if they want to help out, that’d be great. It’s a special place we want to help out. … They’ve given us a ton, as far as being a former LSU player. They’ve supported us so much. That’s the least we can do, is try to help out and give back.”
Ramirez makes first RF start
Besides meaning Andrew Cashner (blister) would not face his former team, the Marlins scratching the right-hander from Sunday’s start resulted in a rejiggered Padres lineup.
With lefty Justin Nicolino on the mound, shortstop Alexei Ramirez made his first major league start in right field.
“I suppose I’m channeling my inner (Cubs manager) Joe Maddon,” quipped Padres manager Andy Green, who was attempting to give left fielder Alex Dickerson some rest while loading up on right-handed bats.
Utility infielder Adam Rosales was originally scheduled to start in left field, but when first baseman Wil Myers was scratched just before gametime with a stomach virus, Green was compelled to start Dickerson in left, move Rosales to third and put third baseman Yangervis Solarte at first. Ramirez remained in right.
“Both (Ramirez and Rosales) have played outfield, mostly in winter ball,” Green said. “Alexei played for the Cuban national team, played center field for a while. Rosie has played out there. It’s not completely new to them.”
Arcia embracing new opportunity
Immediately after he was claimed from the Marlins, Oswaldo Arcia started in left field for the Padres on Saturday, going 1-for-4 with a single. Due to the pitching matchup, he was not in Sunday’s lineup, but the newcomer is looking forward to what should be regular playing time over the next few weeks.
“I’m really fortunate to have this opportunity with the Padres,” Arcia, 25, said through an interpreter. “Everyone I’ve been around, the coaches, the players, I really like the atmosphere.”
Arcia, who is with his fourth organization just this season, obviously would like to settle down in one place. Meanwhile, the Padres would like to explore his power potential. He hit 20 home runs for Minnesota in 2014, but he was traded to Tampa Bay the next year and has continued to bounce around.
“I think playing every day is what’s going to allow for that,” Arcia said.
