Former Major Leaguer Joins the Ottawa Rapidz

May 27, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Voyageurs News Release


(OTTAWA) May 27, 2008 - The Ottawa Rapidz of the Can-Am League is proud to announce that they have acquired Felix Escalona from the Worcester Tornadoes for a player to be named later. He is set to join the team later in the week while the team is on the road against New Jersey.

Rapidz Manager Ed Nottle was quick to react when he learned of Escalona's availability. "We were looking to add a couple of veterans to our roster," said Nottle. "Escalona will help the team with his bat and his glove, and I'm very excited to see him in a Rapidz uniform."

The 29 year-old Venezuelan was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Houston Astros in 1995. He reached single-A with the Astros before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2001 rule 5 draft. Before the start of the 2002 season, he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, making his Major League debut on April 4, 2002. He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles in 2003, playing with Bowie and finishing the season with the Ottawa Lynx for a short nine-game stint. He played a total of 15 games with the New York Yankees in 2004 and 2005 after being signed by the prestigious organization as a free agent in 2004.

In four seasons in the Majors, Escalona collected 43 hits in 206 at-bats, for a .209 batting average, along with 13 RBIs. He also showed flashes of speed with eight stolen bases. Serving primarily as a shortstop and second base, the versatile fielder posted a .962 fielding percentage at the Major League level. In 10 seasons in the Minors, Escalona displayed a .262 batting average, with 783 hits in 2,986 at-bats. He also compiled 57 home runs, 360 RBIs, and 91 stolen bases. The 6', 190-pound veteran bats and throws right.

The Rapidz are also proud to announce that Hitting Coach Tom Carcione will join the team in time during its first away series in Atlantic City.

Carcione comes to Ottawa after 10 seasons as a player, and eight as a coach. He was drafted in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB Amateur Draft by the Oakland Athletics, and reached double-A with Huntsville in 1990. In 1993, Carcione became the first player to sign with the Sioux City Explorers, then of the Northern League. The manager in Sioux City at the time was none other than Ed Nottle. "Tom was a terrific catcher and a real tough guy when he was playing," said Nottle. "He is one of the people I admire and respect the most in all baseball."

As a manager, Carcione has good experience as a hitting and pitching coach, both at the college and professional independent baseball levels. His team, the Northern Illinois Huskies, were eliminated from the MAC Tournament freeing up Carcione to start his tenure as Hitting Coach with the Rapidz.

The Ottawa Rapidz is proud to bring professional baseball to fans in the Ottawa-Gatineau region in a fun, affordable, family-friendly environment. The Rapidz next home stand begins on Tuesday, June 3 against the Nashua Pride. Tickets are available online at www.ottawarapidz.ca, by calling (613) 820-4000 or at the Rapidz Stadium Box Office.



Canadian American League Stories from May 27, 2008


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