Escalona Joins Devil Rays
April 24, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
Orlando, FL - Orlando Rays infielder Felix Escalona has been promoted to Tampa and will join the parent club Devil Rays, the team announced Thursday.
A Rule 5 Draft Pick from the San Francisco Giants, Escalona played in 59 games with Tampa in 2002, hitting .217 with nine RBI and seven stolen bases. A 2001 Low Class-A and South Atlantic League All Star, Escalona was hitting ..256 with one home run and seven RBI in 18 games with the O-Rays. The 24-year-old was hitting was also tied for second on the team in runs scored with nine.
Escalona is the latest rising star in the Tampa organization to jump to the Devil Rays after spending time in Orlando, a list which includes former O-Rays Rocco Baldelli (2002), Carl Crawford (2001) and Toby Hall (2000).
Taking Escalona's spot on the active roster will be Dan DeMent, who hit .264 with seven homers and 51 RBI with Class A Bakersfield last year. DeMent, 24, also had 21 doubles and three triples last season with the Blaze. In 2000 DeMent hit ..301 with 39 RBI with Princeton, earning Appalachian League All-Star Utility Infielder honors.
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