Canaries Bolster Outfield
Published on August 4, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
(SIOUX FALLS, SD) â With the departure of key players like Veteran Ron Wright and LS-5 Felix Pagan, Manager Doc Edwards felt he needed some leadership and experience on his ball club. He received just that on Wednesday afternoon when the Sioux Falls Canaries acquired Veteran outfielder Juan Tolentino from the Gary Southshore Railcats.
The Birds announced that they traded 1B/OF Darin Kinsolving to Gary to obtain Tolentino, a .263 lifetime hitter. The speedy outfielder has swept 182 bases in his 9 year professional career, including 49 at Single A ball for the Anaheim Angels in 1998. Tolentino joins his former Gary teammate, Billy Brown in the Sioux Falls outfield.
Tolentino demonstrated his speed and athleticism in his climb through the minors, twice earning the award of Best Outfielder in the Eastern League. In 2000 and 2001, he was voted the second best defender in the Pacific Coast League, behind Minnesota Twins centerfielder and multiple Gold Glove winner, Torii Hunter.
In addition to Tolentino, the Canaries also signed LHP Peter Blake and INF Joshua Fulton. Blake was with the team during Spring Training, but returned home to finish rehabbing his arm. Blake was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 1997 Amateur Draft, but has taken a couple seasons off to recover from shoulder surgery. Fulton comes to Sioux Falls from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization where he spent his time in the Gulf Coast League. He scored 39 runs and stole 8 bases in 41 games.
Fulton will take the roster spot of INF Joe Rhomberg who left the team to take an opportunity to be the everyday 2B for the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.
Also, earlier in the week, the Canaries released LHP Rob Ellis.
The Sioux Falls Canaries begin a four-game series with the St. Paul Saints beginning tonight at 7:00pm at the Birdcage. It's Church Night at the ballpark and the return of Weenie Wednesday when hotdogs are $1. For tickets stop by the Canaries ticket office or call 605-333-0179.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, August 6 marks Boys Scouts Night at the ballpark. The scouts will stay after the game to watch a movie on the videoboard and camp out on the outfield grass. Then on Saturday, August 7 be sure to attend the last Canaries game for almost three weeks 1,000 rings giveaway night brought to you by Faini Fine Designs. One fan will win a special diamond ring.
Northern League Stories from August 4, 2004
- RailCats Strand 11 in 6-5 Loss; RailCats Host Fargo Again Thursday - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Walters receives all the help he needs - Sioux Falls Canaries
- X's Upend Flyers - Sioux City Explorers
- t-Bones defeat JackHammers, win streak ends - Joliet JackHammers
- T-Bones Take First Place with 9-3 Win Over Joliet - Kansas City Monarchs
- Goldeyes win again - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Darin Kinsolving Dealt to RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RHP Dominic Woody of Gary Sold To Anaheim Angels - NL
- Bobblection Recognized Nationally - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Dominic Woody Ascends to Angels - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RailCats' Homestand - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Bolster Outfield - Sioux Falls Canaries
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.
