Aviators Add Winter League Pitchers
February 3, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford Aviators have signed right-handed pitcher, Patrick Dolan, and left-handed pitcher Roberto Padilla from the California Winter League.
Dolan will be listed as a rookie out of Charleston Southern University when he arrives at camp on May 1, but he has pitched in the Frontier League before, spending time with the Evansville Otters organization in 2012-13.
"I've been impressed with [Patrick's] performance so far out here in the Cal Winter League," said Aviators Manager James Frisbie who is currently coaching all pitchers in the California Winter League. "He had good numbers in college and will look to compete for a bullpen spot on our roster."
As a senior at Charleston Southern, Dolan tied for the team lead with four wins. He finished the year with a 4-5 record with a 4.89 ERA while finishing second on the team with 56 strikeouts.
Padilla, a former Colorado Rockies prospect, spent last season with the Lake Erie Crushers where he appeared in five games.
"Roberto is a guy who has several years of professional experience and he will be able to come in and compete for a starting spot in our rotation," said Frisbie.
As an eighth round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2011, Padilla worked his way to their Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Modesto Nuts where he posted a 3-1 record in eight games in 2012.
Dolan and Padilla are the first players signed by the Aviators under the new partnership between the California Winter League and the Frontier League. With the new partnership, 31 players from the California Winter League will be invited to Spring Training by one of the Frontier League's fourteen teams. Each Frontier League team must invite at least two players from the California Winter League to Spring Training, but may invite more if they have roster spots available.
Although Dolan and Padilla are the first players to be signed under the new partnership, they are not the first members of the Aviators to be signed out of the California Winter League. Last season, pitchers Michael Schaub and Ryan Zimmerman along with catcher Ryan Breen were signed out of the California Winter League and all three posted great numbers for the Aviators.
The Aviators begin their 2015 campaign on May 15 on the road against the Gateway Grizzlies. Opening Day at Aviators Stadium will be May 19 as the Aviators host the Traverse City Beach Bums.
• Discuss this story on the Frontier League message board...
Frontier League Stories from February 3, 2015
- Aviators Add Winter League Pitchers - Rockford Aviators
- Beach Bums Welcome New Director of Media & Broadcasting - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Beach Bums Aquire Outfielder & Pitcher Via Trade - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Trey Lambert to the Texas Rangers - River City Rascals
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.
