MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons and Reds Extend Affiliation through 2012

Published on April 16, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds today jointly announced a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract. The agreement guarantees the affiliation between the Dragons and Reds through the 2012 baseball season.

The Dragons have served as the Reds' Midwest League affiliate since the inception of the Dragons franchise prior to the 2000 season. During that period, 23 Dragons players have advanced to the major leagues including current Reds Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, Todd Coffey, Johnny Cueto, and Joey Votto.

"On behalf of the Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball Team, we are very pleased on the extension of our Player Development Contract with the Cincinnati Reds, said Robert Murphy, Dragons President. "We have enjoyed being an affiliate in the Reds Player Development System the past nine years and look forward to building upon the foundation of this successful relationship."

The proximity of the Dragons to Cincinnati has also contributed to a high number of major league injury rehabilitation assignments in Dayton. Eight Reds major league players have played with the Dragons on those assignments. Additionally, Jose Rijo was assigned to Dayton while coming back from a long-term injury and Elizardo Ramirez was optioned to Dayton and pitched for the Dragons while a member of the Reds starting rotation to remain in his normal five-day routine.

"The Reds are very pleased to renew our Player Development Contract with the Dayton Dragons," said Terry Reynolds, Reds Director of Player Development. "The atmosphere provided by the administration, staff and fans of Dayton is second to none in all of professional baseball. We are proud to call the Dragons our partner and look forward to many exciting years together."

The number of former Dragons in the major leagues is certain to grow in the near-future. Former Dragons outfielder Jay Bruce was selected as the top prospect in all of minor league baseball after the 2007 season and is currently playing at the Triple-A level. Other former Dragons hoping to debut in the major leagues this season include shortstop Paul Janish, third baseman Adam Rosales, outfielder Chris Dickerson, and pitcher Daryl Thompson among others.

"We have witnessed 23 former players that have represented the Dayton Dragons and the Cincinnati Reds elevate their careers to the major league level, said Gary Mayse, Dragons Executive Vice President and General Manager. "With the extension of our PDC, we look forward to watching the future talent of the Reds display their professional baseball skills at Fifth Third Field."

The Dragons are coming off a successful 2007 season in which the club won the Midwest League's Eastern Division First Half title and advanced to the playoffs. The club is off to a good start in 2008 after completing a four game sweep of its first home series of the season April 7-10 and is only one game out of first place entering Wednesday's game.

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