Cougars get new man behind the plate
Published on June 30, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the Oakland Athletics, announced today that catcher Roberto Arias is the newest Cougar to be added to the roster this season. Arias fills the vacancy left by catcher Travis Chapman who was released by the Oakland organization.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Roberto Arias arrives in Kane County from Stockton, California, after appearing in just three games for the Ports and producing a .273 average in eleven at-bats. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in February 2002, the catcher began his professional career with the Dominican Summer League. Spending two-thirds of 2003 in the DSL, Arias was sent to the Arizona League (Rookie) where he closed out the season playing in 12 games. Arias worked a full season in the Arizona League in 2004.
Acquired by the A's from the Pittsburg Pirates just at the beginning of this season, Chapman manned the plate for the Cougars in 45 games prior to his release. Selected by the Pirates in the fifth round of the 2001 June draft, the twenty-four year-old played that season with the Williamsport Crosscutters (Short-A, New York-Penn), batting a career-high .291 average. The following three seasons, Chapman spent time in Williamsport (2002), Hickory (South Atlantic, 2003 & 2004) and Lynchburg (Carolina, 2004).
Returning home this evening to set off a six-game home stint, the Cougars host an action-packed holiday weekend starting with tonight's 7:00 p.m. game against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. Highlighted by four fireworks displays (Friday - Monday), Myron Noodleman (Friday), the ZOOperstars (Saturday & Monday), BirdZerk! (Sunday) and the Jesse White Tumblers (Monday) will be in town over the weekend. Following a four-game set against the Devil Rays, the Chicago Cubs affiliate, Peoria Chiefs, come to Geneva for a short two-game series on Monday and Tuesday to close out the homestand
Midwest League Stories from June 30, 2005
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- LumberKings top Bees, 7-6 - Clinton LumberKings
- Lugnuts open eight-game trip with roster moves - Lansing Lugnuts
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