Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

By Scott Roblin

Fire & Flow

Rosebeck aiming for championship run after being picked up by Mavericks

Jul 22, 2019 | 6:43 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Liam Rosebeck’s summer league prospects hung in the balance earlier this month, cut from the powerhouse Weyburn Beavers.

Searching for a new home, he received a phone call from one of his longest friends in the baseball community, Medicine Hat Mavericks pitcher Jaymon Cervantes.

Though a series of conversations, Cervantes and head coach Tom Vessella offered Rosebeck the chance to continue his WCBL career in the ‘Gas City.’

“We go way back like I said from like nine or ten years old, played little league together” said Rosebeck. “So, it’s pretty cool getting to play with each other again and it’s like we didn’t miss a beat.”

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Pitching in five games for Weyburn before being released, the Arizona product posted a 2-1 record with a 6.84 ERA and 19 strikeouts.

Used mainly as a starting rotation pitcher in Weyburn, Rosebeck has plied his trade for the Mavericks primarily out of the bullpen.

Rosebeck said his ability to pitch in most situations gave him a leg up when looking at a new landing spot.

“I think I’m pretty versatile,” he said. “I think I can come in whenever and throw any of my pitches at any time during the game at any count. So, just trying to do what I can to help out. I like to get after it and just be a bulldog.”

Making his Medicine Hat debut on July 16 in Okotoks, Rosebeck struggled with three earned runs allowed over just one-third inning of work.

Rosebeck has bounced back from that rough outing however, posting two innings of scoreless baseball in Medicine Hat’s 15-5 victory over the Moose Jaw Miller Express on Saturday night.

Seeing an arm with WCBL fall into their lap ahead of the stretch drive of the season, Vessella said the stars aligned to bring Rosebeck into the fold.

“Weyburn is a really good team,” he said. “The way baseball works [sometimes] it doesn’t mean you can’t pitch, just means you’re not the right fit on that team or you’re not pitching right at that moment. But, he’s a pretty good pitcher and I’m happy to have him.”

Even more than his play on the mound, it’s been Rosebeck’s hair that has Mavericks fans talking.

Bringing his curls to the confines of Athletic Park, he was nothing but boastful that his flow rivalled the WCBL’s top talent.

“I think so, in the whole league maybe,” said Rosebeck.

After pitching coach Jared Libke cut his long locks a few weeks ago, Rosebeck didn’t foresee any internal competition either.

“No I don’t think so, I think I got it locked down,” he said.

By adding another arm to the team’s pitching staff, Vessella will have at least 15 arms to rely upon as the Mavericks make their push for the playoffs.

“He got hit around a little bit those first couple of days,” said Vessella. “But he throws strikes, he comes after guys and that’s really all you care about as a coach. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen and he’s going to get back out there again. As long as he keeps attacking, he’s going to keep pitching.”

Through that instruction from his skipper, Rosebeck added he’s ready to contribute to the Mavericks pitching staff in the hopes of a championship repeat.

“I just want to help out and just do what I can to keep it going, hopefully make a run,” he said.

Medicine Hat returns to action on Tuesday in Edmonton, kicking off a two game set in the provincial capital against the Prospects starting at 7:05 pm.