MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Former Dragons Open Season Today in AFL

Published on October 13, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


DAYTON, OH -Former Dayton Dragons Chris Heisey, Zack Cozart, Sean Watson, and Logan Ondrusek are among approximately 200 players set for Opening Day today in the Arizona Fall League. AFL rosters are filled with many of the top prospects in professional baseball.

"This appears to be an exceptionally strong class of Major League prospects," AFL executive director Steve Cobb said. "We will feature over 20 first-round Draft picks, several high-ceiling position players and the pitching depth is unmatched vs. previous years."

The four former Dragons have all been assigned to the Peoria Saguaros, one of six teams in the league. The team is managed by David Bell, the Cincinnati native who managed the Reds Double-A club, the Carolina Mudcats, in 2009. The other three Reds prospects playing in the league are also with the Saguaros. They are pitcher Mike Leake (the Reds first round draft pick in 2009), pitcher Brad Boxberger, and first baseman Yonder Alonso.

Heisey, an outfielder, played for the Dragons in 2007 and will be a contender for the Reds 2009 Minor League Player of the Year award. He split the season between Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Louisville and led the Reds organization in batting average at .314. He also connected on 22 home runs and drove in 77 runs while stealing 21 bases.

Cozart, a shortstop, played in 162 games for the Dragons in 2007 and '08. This season, he played at Double-A Carolina and batted .262 with 10 home runs and 59 RBI.

Watson, a right-handed relief pitcher, played for the Dragons in 2006 and '07. He spent most of this season at Carolina, posting a record of 4-4 with eight saves and a 4.48 earned run average.

Ondrusek, also a right-handed reliever, spent the 2006 season with the Dragons. He enjoyed a sensational year in 2009, seeing action at Single-A Sarasota, Double-A Carolina, and Triple-A Louisville. In 56 games, he went 4-1 with 19 saves and a 1.50 ERA.

Heisey, Cozart, and Alonso all played in the historic Reds Futures Game in Dayton on April 4th, while Watson was on the Futures Team roster but did not play in the game. Leake and Boxberger were drafted in June by the Reds.

The AFL will also feature the professional debut of Stephen Strasburg, the highly-touted first overall selection of the 2009 draft by the Washington Nationals.

Five of the Reds representatives in the 2008 AFL went on to play in the Major Leagues in 2009 including outfielder Drew Stubbs, second baseman Justin Turner, and pitchers Carlos Fisher, Robert Manuel, and Pedro Viola. All five are also former Dragons.

Go to www.mlb.com for statistics and other information on the Arizona Fall League.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from October 13, 2009


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