Last year, Baseball America magazine did an article listing the top eight prospects in independent minor-league ball.

Cecil Township resident Chris Sidick, the leadoff hitter and center fielder on the Washington Wild Things, was one of the players featured.

Sidick, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder who bats left-handed and throws right, has blossomed into one of the most respected players in the Frontier League.

"He turned himself into more of a professional hitter. He came out of college [Marietta] raw. Now he's more of a professional player who gets quality at-bats," said Wild Things manager John Massarelli.

"He has the ability to create havoc on the bases. He disrupts other team's offenses with his aggressiveness."

This is Sidick's third season with the Wild Things. He batted .333 in 2005. Last year, he hit .300 in 95 games and was among the league leaders in a number of offensive categories, finishing first in the Frontier League in triples (16) and at-bats (393); second in hits (118); and third in runs (64) and total bases (180).

He also hit 6 home runs, had 41 RBIs and was 31 for 40 in stolen bases. His 16 triples was a league record and was the third most in all of professional baseball.

He's off to a bit of a slow start this season. After 13 games this season, Sidick, a 2001 Canon-McMillan High School graduate, had a .244 batting average (11 for 45), but a .435 on-base percentage and a team-high 13 walks, helping the Wild Things to a 10-3 start.

Sidick, 24, still holds hope that the acclaim he received as a top prospect by Baseball America and his glittering statistics can lead to a major-league-affiliated club offering him a contract. He attended Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks tryout camps in February and thought he did well, but was not signed.

Still, being able to play professional baseball 20 minutes from your home, in front of friends and family, isn't a bad deal for Sidick.

He said he's been "happy" playing for the Wild Things and has had "a good time."

As far as not getting a chance in major-league-affiliated pro ball, as did his former Marietta College roommate, New York Yankees pitcher Matt DeSalvo, Sidick said, "There's nothing I can do except keep playing it one game at a time."

Massarelli believes if Sidick does catch the eye of a major-league scout, he's ready.

"He has tools -- major-league arm strength and speed -- to play in the big leagues," said the Wild Things manager. "I think right now he's ready for the AA level."

In the meantime, Sidick says he's focused on bringing the Wild Things a Frontier League title.

Washington has made the playoffs in each of its five seasons in the league, but has not yet grabbed the big prize.

Last year, the Wild Things had the league's best regular-season record at 59-37. From what he's seen so far, Sidick believes the Wild Things will be as good as, if not better than, last year.

"One thing I noticed right away about this year is the team power," Sidick said. "From Day 1, batters 1 through 9 all make good contact. Everyone has the potential to get extra-base hits.

"In terms of goals, anything less than a championship would be disappointing. We definitely want to win it this year."

Sidick, a two-time NCAA Division III All-American at Marietta, spent the last offseason making money by giving hitting lessons to youngsters from his garage. He said it worked out well and he hopes to find a bigger facility to teach this offseason.

Considering his consistent success at the plate, Sidick would appear to be a teacher with lessons worth following.