Blasters Sign 7-Year MLB Veteran Tejeda
February 19, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters have come to terms with former Major League pitcher Robinson Tejeda for the 2015 American Association Season.
Tejeda, 32, joins the Blasters with 7 years of Major League pitching experience. He spent 1 year with the Philadelphia Phillies, 3 years with the Texas Rangers and 4 years with the Kansas City Royals, where he served as the primary set up man.
His most impressive year came in 2009 as a member of the Royals where he allowed only 43 hits over 73.2 innings, while amassing a staggering 87 strikeouts. For his major league career Tejeda has pitched in 442 innings, allowing 397 hits, striking out 371 batters, with a career 4.42 era.
Tejeda continues the strong correlation between American Association players and Major League talent. With MLB Spring Training opening over the next couple of days, it is reported that 20 AA alumnus are currently on Major League rosters. That is the highest total for any Independent league in 2015, and is believed to tie the all-time record for any league since non-affiliated play began in 1993.
"We have spoken all along about the quality of talent that we will be putting out on the field at Joe Becker every night," said Blasters' GM Shawn Suarez. "Robinson absolutely fits that caliber of talent, and he is someone that the rest of the staff can learn from with his Major League experience."
Martinez Joins Staff- The Blasters also added Jorge Martinez to the starting rotation on Thursday.
Martinez, 31, joins the Blasters after a strong 2014 season in the Atlantic League with the York Revolution. He accumulated an 11-8 record, 3.21 era while only allowing 125 hits over 134.2 innings pitched.
Martinez looks to be an anchor for the pitching staff, and had a strong winter league showing pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter League, as well as, the Caribbean Series where he shutdown the Dominican Republic representative with a strong 6.1 IP and 7 strikeouts.
The Blasters are the newest member of the South Division in the American Association of Independent Baseball. They will play a 50 home game schedule beginning in May of 2015 at a renovated Joe Becker Stadium, and will be a major entertainment destination for the Four States Community. Fans are encouraged to purchase their season tickets to make sure they don't miss any of this summer's action. Ticket information, as well as, general information on the Blasters can be found online at www.joplinblasters.com or by calling (417) 437-6105.
American Association Stories from February 19, 2015
- Blasters Sign 7-Year MLB Veteran Tejeda - Joplin Blasters
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