Tucson Saguaros Score Three All-Americans for Inaugural Year
February 25, 2016 - Pecos League (Pecos)
Tucson Saguaros News Release
The Tucson Saguaros of the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs are currently putting together its team for 2016 and, so far, things are looking good. In fact, they have scored an All-American "Hat Trick." The Saguaros announced today that Adam Urbania, a consensus All-American from NCAA Division 2, Slippery Rock University, has agreed to join the Saguaros. Urbania is the third player signed by the expansion team in 2016 who has "All-American" in his resume. He joins NCAA Division 3 All-American Cameron Cox, a Right Handed Pitcher from Concordia (TX), and NAIA All-American Catcher, Jesse Baker.
Urbania was named to all three major All-American teams (Daktronics, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and the American Baseball Coaches Association). In 2015, he hit .427, with an On Base Percentage of .493. His Slugging Percentage was .719. In 48 games, he had 50 RBI, with 26 doubles and eight home runs. He batted .500 with runners in scoring position. He also had a 34-game hitting streak. The lefty had no problems with left-handed pitchers, batting .483 against Southpaws.
Cox was named Division 3 Second-Team All-American after posting a season ERA of 0.83 and holding opposing batters to a .200 average, while striking out 55. He threw 65 innings in the season, during which time only 12 opposing runners crossed the plate. He played one year for Weatherford (TX) Junior College and one year for the University of Texas Longhorns. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2012, but did not sign. In 2013, he made nine appearances for the Texas Longhorns, posting a 2-1 record and an ERA of 4.61. Both wins came in relief.
Baker was a first-team NAIA All-American in 2015 for Edward Waters College. He reportedly was considered by many MLB scouts as perhaps the best college catcher in the country, but was overlooked in the MLB Draft. He led his team to a 34-22 record overall and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season championship, with a 13-2 conference record. Baker ranked in seven of the ten top statistical categories nationally in the 2015 season, including a .810 slugging percentage, 75 hits, 75 RBI, 17 home runs, and 145 total bases. He finished second nationally in batting average (.431), fourth in doubles (13) and eighth in runs scored (36). On the other side of the ball, he threw out 25 base runners in 54 attempts.
Behind the plate, Tucson appears to be rock solid. In addition to Baker, the Saguaros have also signed Danny Droll of the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Although he didn't garner All-American honors, he was the third hardest batter in NCAA Division 2 to strike out in 2015. He struck out only five times in 173 at-bats. He was also third nationally in being hit by pitch.
"We are extremely happy with out recruiting efforts, so far," commented JD Droddy, Saguaros Director of Baseball Operations and Field Manager. "Urbania, Baker, and Droll all have great bats, as do several other players we've signed. And, both Baker and Droll can play the corners, so we can keep both of their bats in the game at the same time."
Regarding pitching, Droddy said: "Cameron Cox is one of several outstanding pitchers we have signed. We are off to a great start in building a dominating mound presence, but we still are looking for a few more good arms. But, in any event, I think we will have an entertaining ball club."
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Pecos League Stories from February 25, 2016
- Tucson Saguaros Score Three All-Americans for Inaugural Year - Tucson Saguaros
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