Arlis Off to Nashville
April 21, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL) - Calgary Vipers News Release
The Calgary Vipers have graduated their first player to the Triple-A ranks. Workhorse catcher Patrick Arlis has left the Snakes for the AAA-Nashville Sounds, the Pacific Coast League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. "We hate to lose a player of Patrick's ability", said Vipers Director of Baseball Operations Peter Young. "But after talking with Gord Ash and the Brewers scouting staff we realized this was an incredible opportunity for Pat. He wants to get into coaching in the near future and this is a step in the door for him". Arlis started 78 of the Vipers 84 games in 2008 and all eight in the playoffs. He hit .273 with 7 home runs and 42 runs batted in.
The Vipers wasted little time in filling the spot behind the plate. Triple-A backstop Rick Guarno was signed by the team on Tuesday. Guarno split last season between Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League and AA-Tulsa in Texas League. He was a fourth round draft pick by the Rockies in 2003 and has spent six seasons in their organization.
The Vipers also added a left handed bat to their arsenal on Tuesday by signing 6'2" 210 pound John Urick to their training camp roster. The first baseman- designated hitter was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2003 and spent six seasons in their organization. He hit 10 home runs with 77 RBI in 122 games of A-ball in Clearwater last season.
The addition of Guarno and Urick bring to twenty-four the number of signed players the Vipers have reporting to training camp on May 9. Another nine non-roster players are expected in camp. The list includes left handed knuckleball pitcher Chris Nowlin, submariner Andrew Demott, catchers Dillon O'Krane and Marshall McDonald and returning Vipers Phil Sobkow and Jordy Alexander.
2009 Signed Players
Position Players Right Handed Pitcher Left Handed Pitcher
C-Rick Guarno Evan Greusel Joe Sergent
3B-Carlos Duncan Hideki Nagasaka Frank James
SS-Nelson Castro Reggie Rivard Allan Webb
2B-Jorge Mejia Erik Dessau Dallas Mahan
1B-Ivan Reyes Cody Cillo Jake Vose
OF-Drew Miller John Huizinga
OF-Colin Moro Zak Blakney
OF-Mark Okano
OF-Terry Mermer
C- Yuki Matsumoto
1B-DH-John Urick
UT-Rob Recuenco
The Vipers will hold their annual Free Agent Evaluation camp on Saturday, May 9 at Foothills Stadium in conjunction with their Job Fair and Open House.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from April 21, 2009
- Arlis Off to Nashville - Calgary Vipers
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