Acquisition of Cruz and Rodriguez from WhiteWings addresses needs
Published on February 11, 2010 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club announced today they have completed a four-player deal with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The intra-league trade sends first baseman Cirilo Cruz and shortstop Joaquin Rodriguez to the Dillas in exchange for two players to be named later. The recent trade of second baseman Eric Brown to the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League and the New York Yankees purchase of first baseman Trent Lockwood last September, has created vacancies in the Dillas infield, until today.
A native of Guayama Puerto Rico, Cruz was originally drafted in the 37th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft by the Detroit Tigers but did not sign a professional contract and opted to attend Cumberland University in Tennessee. Cruz was a member of the NAIA champions in 2004 and NAIA runner-up in 2006. While in college he played for the Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League. After his 2006 season at Cumberland, Cirilo was drafted again this time by the Houston Astros in the 27th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft.
He played two seasons in the Astros farm system with Greenville Astros and Tri-City ValleyCats of the Appalachian and New York-Penn Leagues, respectively. Cruz was released by Astros following the 2007 season making him a free agent. Signed by the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings June 1, 2009, Cruz appeared in 61 games batting.251 with 13 doubles while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 40 runs.
His offensive numbers are not completely comparable to former first baseman, turned New York Yankee, Trent Lockwood but there is one statistic that is a close match, home runs. Lockwood hit 14 home runs a year ago for the United League champions and although manager Brady Bogart doesn't expect the same production from Cruz, but wouldn't mind if it happens. "Alberto (Cirilo Alberto Cruz) is a big strong guy who has some pop in his bat", Bogart said. "For me to say that we can or would expect him to replace the number of home runs hit by Trent (Lockwood) last year would be unfair to Alberto, but everyone knows that left field at our ballpark is very home run friendly, so if he hits another ten home runs great if he hits more than ten, that would be great too". And, anyone who's been a Dillas' game knows that hitting home runs equates to more money with the famed "Green in the Screen".
The other half of this trade appears to include realignment on the left-side of the infield with the acquisition of Joaquin Rodriguez. A native of Miami Florida, Rodriguez originally signed as undrafted free agent in 2006 by the New York Mets where he played three positions including third base, first base, and shortstop while splitting time between Gulf Coast Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, and Savannah Sand Gnats. Rodriguez was released by the Mets following the 2008 season making him a free agent.
Signed by the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings on June 3, 2009, Rodriguez appeared in 70 games batting.321 with 13 doubles driving in 24 runs and hit 5 home runs in 274 plate appearances. Rodriguez brings versatility and stability to the shortstop position with a productive bat and a sound glove, which addresses a need for the Dillas who last year used three different players at shortstop in their search for solidifying a vertebra in the spine, if you will, of the defense that every club builds a defense around.
With Rodriguez occupying the shortstop position and the previously mention trade of second baseman Brown, it becomes ever so apparent that Willie James will make a move to second base. James played 13 games at second base last year so he's not a stranger to that side of the infield and for Dillas manager Brady Bogart he feels that the addition of Rodriguez and a move of James to second provides the team with a solid middle-infield combo. "Joaquin (Rodriguez) has tremendous skills at shortstop and was very impressive to watch from our side of the field last year", Bogart said. "Willie (James) is a very versatile and willing player who was receptive to playing wherever necessary to help the team be successful last year and moving to second base, on a full time basis, will be a smooth transition for him and provide us with a solid combination up the middle".
James had his club option exercised last October but has yet to sign a contract for the upcoming season so for now, this is a well-laid plan on the depth chart. However, Bogart has told team officials that he's feel very confident that James will return for a second season with the club.
The Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club is a charter member of United League Baseball, a Professional Independent League, with six teams playing in Texas. ULB teams are located in Amarillo, Coastal Bend, Edinburg, Harlingen, Laredo, and San Angelo.
United League Baseball Stories from February 11, 2010
- Acquisition of Cruz and Rodriguez from WhiteWings addresses needs - Amarillo Dillas
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.
