MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Former Dragons Added to Reds 40-man Roster

Published on November 21, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-Third baseman Juan Francisco, who led the Midwest League in home runs in 2007 as a member of the Dayton Dragons, was one of three former Dragons added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster on Thursday. Former Dragons Carlos Fisher and Robert Manuel, both right-handed pitchers, were also placed on the Reds roster for the first time.

Players on the 40-man roster are protected from being selected by another club in the Rule V Draft in December.

The additions of Francisco, Fisher, and Manuel bring the total of former Dragons on the Reds 40-man roster to 15. Other former Dragons remaining on the Reds 40-man roster from the 2008 season are pitchers Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Ramon Ramirez, and Daryl Thompson; catchers Ryan Hanigan and Craig Tatum; first baseman Joey Votto, third basemen Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Rosales; shortstop Paul Janish, and outfielders Jay Bruce and Chris Dickerson.

Francisco belted 25 home runs for the Dragons in 2007 to lead the MWL. He added 23 more in 2008 with Sarasota to rank fourth in the Florida State League while leading the league in extra base hits and ranking second in RBI (92).

Fisher played with the Dragons in 2006 and enjoyed an outstanding season. He went 12-5 with a 2.76 earned run average, leading the team in victories. His 150 innings on the mound are the highest total for any Dragons pitcher since 2002. Fisher split the 2008 season between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, posting a combined record 6-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 50 relief appearances. With Louisville, he went 5-0, 1.02, allowing just two runs in 14 games out of the bullpen.

Manuel spent part of the 2006 season with the Dragons, pitching in 13 games including seven as a starter. He went 0-3, 4.31. Manuel enjoyed a tremendous 2008 season, mostly at Double-A Chattanooga, where he went 5-3, 1.40 in 47 games. He was named Minor League Baseball's Double-A Relief Pitcher of the Year.

The Reds also promoted pitchers Matt Maloney and Sam Lecure to their 40-man roster on Thursday.

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Midwest League Stories from November 21, 2008


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