TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

LHP Verdugo Acquired in Melky Cabrera Trade

Published on November 7, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO - Monday the Kansas City Royals traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for two pitchers, one of whom spent 2011 in the Giants' Double-A rotation. Coming to the Royals organization is left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and left-hander Ryan Verdugo.

Sanchez, 28 (will turn 29 on November 19), expected to join the Royals' rotation for 2012, has posted a 3.75 ERA over his last three seasons with the Giants in 85 games, including 81 starts. In 2011, he was 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 19 starts before missing the final month and a half with a left ankle sprain. The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder is 38-46 with a 4.26 ERA in 174 career outings, including 118 starts. He tossed the 13th no-hitter in Giants history on July 10, 2009 vs. San Diego. Sanchez was the Giants' 27thround selection in 2004.

The 24-year-old Verdugo was 8-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 25 starts this past season for Double-A Richmond, the Giants' affiliate in the Eastern League. 2011 was his first season as a starter in the minor leagues. The 6-foot, 193-pound southpaw is 21-7 with a 3.14 ERA in 101 career minor league appearances, including 26 starts. Verdugo, a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, has allowed 185 hits in his 234 1/3 career innings, striking out 300. The Giants' ninth-round pick in 2008 out of LSU will be placed on Triple-A Omaha's roster but could see time with the Naturals in 2012. Prior to the 2011 season, Baseball America ranked Verdugo as the Giants' 25th best prospect.

Cabrera, 27, hit .305 (201-for-658) with 44 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, 87 RBI and 102 runs scored for the Naturals' parent club in 2011.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

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Texas League Stories from November 7, 2011


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