NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats

Former ValleyCats Take Swings in Arizona Fall League

Published on October 8, 2008 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


TROY, N.Y. - As the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies battle to reach the World Series, many minor league prospects have flocked to Arizona to participate in the Arizona Fall League. The ValleyCats are well represented in the AFL this season with four former 'Cats suiting up for the Scottsdale Scorpions: Brian Bogusevic, Chris Johnson, Mark Ori and Drew Sutton.

The Houston Astros selected Bogusevic in the first round of the 2005 MLB Draft and he began his professional career with the ValleyCats that summer. Both a hitting and pitching star at Tulane, the Astros decided to make Bogusevic a full-time pitcher in the minor leagues. After three-plus seasons as a pitcher in the Astros minor league system, Bogusevic was converted to outfielder in 2008. In 42 games with Double A Corpus Christi, Bogusevic hit .371 with three home runs and 20 RBI, cementing his professional future as a hitter.

Johnson, a member of the 2006 Stedler Division Champion ValleyCats, was a fourth round selection by the Houston Astros in the 2006 MLB Draft. Johnson began this season with Corpus Christi and earned a promotion to Round Rock in late July. In 84 games with Corpus Christi, Johnson hit .324 with 24 doubles and 12 home runs and was recognized as a Texas League All-Star.

Ori, a member of the 2005 ValleyCats, was named the Most Valuable Player for the Astros Advanced-A affiliate, the Salem Avalanche, in 2008. The first baseman led the team with a .304 batting average, 11 home runs and 89 RBI.

Second baseman Sutton, a 15th round selection by the Astros in 2004, made his professional debut with the ValleyCats. Sutton spent the 2008 season with Corpus Christi where he was named team MVP and Texas League Midseason and Postseason All-Star. In 133 games with the Hooks, Sutton hit .317 with 20 home runs, 69 RBI and 20 stolen bases. His 102 runs scored and 165 hits ranked first in the Texas League.

The Scottsdale Scorpions play their home games at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona. Joining the Astros in sending players to the Scorpions in 2008 are the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. The Scorpions feature several notable alumni including Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, Brandon Webb and Evan Longoria. Basketball star Michael Jordan also began his professional baseball career with the Scorpions in 1994 when he attempted a career in baseball.

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