Former Reds prospect signs, outfielder traded to Sioux City, and pitcher calls it a career
Published on April 9, 2010 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club announced several transactions this afternoon including the signing of former Cincinnati Reds prospect RHP Ramon Geronimo, the trade of outfielder Stantrel Smith, and announced LHP Coby Mavroulis retired.
In an effort to bolster an already pretty solid pitching staff the Dillas signed former Cincinnati Reds' minor leaguer Ramon Geronimo to a contract, earlier today. A native of Bajos de Haina of the Dominican Republic, the six-foot right-hander originally signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a non-drafted free agent on 11/27/04. He spent the first two-years of his career pitching for the Reds in the Dominican Summer League, where in 2005 he went 1-0 with eight saves and a 0.38 ERA over 16 appearances striking out 29 batters over 23.2 innings of work. In 2006, he appeared in 29 games for the DSL Reds and went 0-1 with 27 saves striking out 36 batters while walking just nine with opponents hitting just .155 against him.
In 2007, Geronimo moved from pitching in the DSL to the Midwest League where he went 7-3 with a 2.45 ERA and 12 saves in 49 appearances with Class A Dayton. With the Dragons he didn't allow an earned run in any of his first 14 appearances to begin the season (17.3 IP, 1 R) and pitched 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings from June 11 to July 28, overall he recorded 39 scoreless appearances. Began the 2008 season with Class A Advanced Sarasota from April 4 - July 18 where he had 11 saves in 36 games for Reds, with a 0.87 ERA which helped earn a promotion to Double-A on July 20. His performance earned him while in Sarasota earned him selection to the FSL Mid-Season All Stars on 6/14/2008.
In the latter part of 2008, the Reds moved their Double A player development agreement (PDA) from Chattanooga to Zebulon (suburb of Raleigh) North Carolina. Last year with the Mudcats, Geronimo appeared in 50 games posting a record of 4-3 with an ERA of 4.87 along with 5 saves, in 64.2 innings pitched. This year he had a very up and down spring training which resulted in being released by the Reds but for Dillas manager Brady Bogart that isn't a concern. "Ramon has proven over his career that he can be an effective reliever", Bogart said. "Right now he is penciled into the closer spot and we look for great things from him this year, we are excited to have a player of his caliber".
It was a busy baseball day in Amarillo when along with the news of signing Geronimo came the news they traded outfielder Stantrel Smith to the Sioux City Explorers, of the American Association Professional Baseball, in exchange for a player to be named later. Smith spent only one season in Amarillo appearing in 72 games batting .345 with 11 doubles 9 triples to go along with his 3 home runs, in 284 at-bats. "Stantrel was tremendous last year and he worked his tail off helping to lead us to another league (United) title, we wish him nothing but the best in Sioux City".
The Dillas also announced today that LHP Coby Mavroulis has voluntarily retired. Like the aforementioned Smith, the Freeport, Texas native spent only one season pitching for Amarillo where he made 26 relief appearances posting a record of 2-1 striking out 32 batters with an ERA of 3.77, in 31.0 innings pitched. "Coby did an outstanding job last year for us out of the bullpen and truly was a big part of why we were able to enjoy success", Dillas manager Brady Bogart said. "We are going to miss his leadership and style but I can appreciate and respect his decision to move on from the game, he will be sorely missed".
ULB Opening Day 2010 is Thursday, May 27 when the Dillas travel to San Angelo for a two-game series against the Colts. The reigning United League Champions will open their home schedule Saturday, May 29, when the Colts follow the Dillas back to Amarillo to play a four-game series. Season tickets are still available and single-game tickets officially go on-sale Saturday, May 1st.
For more information about season and individual game tickets, game times, promotions, marketing opportunities, full game schedule, and everything else Dillas, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Dillas" by logging onto www.myamarillodillas.com.
United League Baseball Stories from April 9, 2010
- Former Reds prospect signs, outfielder traded to Sioux City, and pitcher calls it a career - Amarillo Dillas
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