MWL1 Dayton Dragons

24 Former Dragons To Open Spring Training With Reds

Published on January 25, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-Infielder/Outfielder Todd Frazier, shortstop Zack Cozart, and catcher Devin Mesoraco, all members of the 2008 Dayton Dragons, will participate in the Cincinnati Reds Major League spring training camp as non-roster players. The Reds recently announced their 2010 list of non-roster invitees.

Left-handed pitcher Alexander Smit (2007 Dragons) and catcher Chris Denove (2006 Dragons) are also on the list of 14 non-roster players invited to big league camp by the Reds.

A total of 24 former Dragons players will participate in the Reds Major League spring training camp. Frazier, Cozart, Mesoraco, Smit, and Denove will join 19 former Dragons who are on the Reds' 40-man roster. Those players were announced in November by the Reds and include (their seasons with the Dragons) pitchers Homer Bailey ('05), Johnny Cueto ('06), Enerio Del Rosario ('08), Carlos Fisher ('06), Logan Ondrusek ('06), Jordan Smith ('07), Philippe Valiquette ('05-'08), Pedro Viola ('07), and Travis Wood ('06); catcher Ryan Hanigan ('02-'03); infielders Juan Francisco ('07), Paul Janish ('05-'06), Adam Rosales ('05-'06), Chris Valaika ('07), and Joey Votto ('03-'04); and outfielders Jay Bruce ('06), Chris Dickerson ('04), Chris Heisey ('07), and Drew Stubbs ('07).

Frazier began the 2008 season with the Dragons and batted.321 with seven home runs and 20 runs batted in. He also played briefly for the Dragons in 2007. In 2009, Frazier spent most of the season with the Double-A Carolina Mudcats and batted.290 with 14 home runs and 68 runs batted in. He was promoted to Triple-A Louisville for the final two weeks of the season and the playoffs. With Louisville, he batted.302 with two home runs and nine runs batted in. He was rated as the #1 prospect in the Reds' organization recently by Baseball America.

Cozart represented the Dragons as the shortstop on the Midwest League Full-Season All-Star Team in 2008, batting.280 with 14 home runs while being honored as the best defensive shortstop in the circuit. In 2009, Cozart hit.262 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases with Carolina.

Mesoraco, the Reds' first round draft pick in 2007 out of Punxsutawney High School in Pennsylvania, spent most of the 2008 season with the Dragons, batting.261 with nine home runs. He spent the 2009 season with the Single-A Sarasota Reds.

The Reds open spring training on February 18th in Goodyear, Arizona.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from January 25, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central