MLB.com's (or should that be MiLB.com's) Lisa Winston interviewed Detroit Tigers minor league outfielder Casper Wells as part of her "Beyond the Box Score" series. Besides learning about the many nicknames Wells has accumulated during his minor league career, another talent of his is also revealed:
GotMiLB: Everyone has a "hidden talent." What's yours?
Wells: I'm good at impersonations. Whatever comes to mind, celebrities, people on the team.
We need to get this kid to Detroit so he can get to work on his Jim Leyland impersonation. Even better, maybe he could do a Gary Sheffield, as well. I'm sure Sheff would love to see that.
Between Single-A West Michigan (50 games) and Double-A Erie (75 games), Wells finished with a .269/.366/.532 average, with 27 home runs and 79 RBIs. In the Arizona Fall Leagues, Wells batted .321/.424/.705 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 23 games.
On a personal note, I have now decided I have a soft spot for Wells, based on his playing college ball at Towson State (whose mascot, by the way, is the Tigers), and me having spent some enjoyable time a few years ago in Towson, MD. Don't worry, though - Well has not surpassed Clete Thomas in terms of grassroots appeal. There is no Cult of Casper. Yet.