Former Big Leaguer Diaz Joins 'Fish
Published on June 8, 2013 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - June 8, 2013) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of infielder Victor Diaz and pitcher Kelvin Villa. Diaz comes to Bridgeport for his Atlantic League debut, while Villa enters his fourth season in the league.
"These two players are great additions to the ballclub," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "Victor is a professional hitter and adds a polished bat to our lineup, while Kelvin will fill an important role in our pitching staff."
Diaz started the 2013 campaign splitting time with Mexico City and Laguna of the Mexican League. In 26 combined games he batted .304 with four homeruns, five doubles, 17 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. The 31-year-old was drafted out of Clemete High School by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft. In 2003 he was traded along with Kole Strayhorn and Jose Diaz to the New York Mets for Jeromy Burnitz. In 2004 he made is Big League debut with the Mets, hitting three homeruns in 15 games. He spent 89 games with the Mets in 2005, collecting 12 homeruns, 17 doubles, 38 RBI and scoring 41 runs. Diaz was traded in 2006 to the Texas Rangers for Mike Nickeas. Diaz had 25 RBI and nine homeruns in 37 games with the Rangers in 2007. Overall in the Bigs, Diaz has 24 homeruns, 73 RBI, 25 doubles in 147 games, while hitting .256.
Villa began his 2013 campaign in the Mexican League with Laguna. In eight starts, he went 2-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched. His 2012 season was spent with Sugar Land; there the lefty appeared in 28 games (11 starts). In 77.2 total innings, Villa went 4-8 with a 5.54 ERA and striking out 62 batters. Overall in the Atlantic League the left hander has 12 wins in three seasons while collecting 240 punch outs in 264.0 innings pitched. Kelvin began his career in 2004 with the Atlanta Braves organization. His best season came in 2006 with High-A Myrtle Beach. In 19 starts (25 games), Villa went 8-6 with a 3.82 ERA and only gave up three homeruns in 120.0 innings of work.
In corresponding roster moves, the Bluefish have traded pitcher Mickey Jannis to the Lake Erie Crushers as the player to be named later in a previous trade and released infielder Matt Spencer.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit the brand new BridgeportBluefish.com.
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