RedHawks select 8 players in American Association dispersal draft

FARGO — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks added to their roster Tuesday, June 16, selecting eight players in the American Association baseball dispersal draft.

The six league teams that are operating this season were able to draft players from the six teams that aren’t operating this summer.

“It was a way to provide an avenue for players on non-participating teams to be picked up,” said RedHawks general manager Matt Rau.

The RedHawks selected Kansas City infielder Cito Culver, Sioux City outfielder Dario Pizzano, Kansas City pitcher Jake Cosart, Sioux City catcher Dylan Kelly, Cleburne pitcher Tyler Wilson, Gary SouthShore pitcher Ryan Thurston, Kansas City pitcher Mitchell Osnowitz and Lincoln outfielder Forrestt Allday.

Rau said the dispersal draft picks would have their rights revert to their original teams next season.

“It’s essentially a one off year,” said Rau, adding teams have to submit a 30-man roster by Friday from spring training, which is set to start June 25.

The regular season is slated to start July 3, kicking off an abbreviated 60-game schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic. The RedHawks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Sioux Falls Canaries, St. Paul Saints, Milwaukee Milkmen and Chicago Dogs are the six teams operating this summer.

Under normal league rules, teams can have a maximum of 23 players on their roster, but Rau said for an undetermined amount of time that will be expanded to 25, but those two extra spots have to be pitchers.

The RedHawks start the regular season at 7:02 p.m. July 3 against Winnipeg at Newman Outdoor Field. Chris Coste, the team's bench coach the past two season, was named the team's interim manager earlier this week.