FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Promote Two More, Receive Familiar Face and First Rounder

Published on July 14, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (July 15, 2006) - Make that 11 promotions this season for Fort Myers Miracle players as speedy All-Star infielder Alexi Casilla and left-handed pitcher Brian Duensing were promoted to Double-A New Britain on Friday. The Miracle will fill their roster spots with infielder JR Taylor, who played for the Miracle in 2005, and one of the Twins 2004 first round draft picks, right-handed pitcher Kyle Waldrop.

The 21-year-old All-Star, Casilla, was leading the Florida State League in hitting (.331), hits (107), tied for first in stolen bases (31), third in runs scored (56) and tied for third in triples (6). In 78 games he led the Miracle in doubles (12) and was second on the team in RBI (36). He led the Miracle with a .390 on base percentage and slugged .406 and was a constant at the top of the Miracle line up. Casilla came to the Twins organization on December 9, 2005 in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim that sent J.C. Romero to the Angels.

The 23-year-old Duensing joined the Miracle on June 5 from Single-A Beloit. With the Miracle he was 2-5, 4.24 in seven games. In 40.1 innings pitched he walked just eight and struck out 33 while the opposition hit .296 against him. He had a sub 3.00 ERA before his last start where he allowed seven runs in 1.1 innings. Duensing was a third round pick of the Twins in 2005 out of the University of Nebraska.

The 23-year-old Taylor spent half the season with the Miracle in 2005 where he hit .256-0-23 in 72 games. In 262 at bats he ripped 10 doubles, had two triples with an on base percentage of .328 while stealing 10 bases. This season with Double-A New Britain Taylor hit .207-1-13 in 71 games. In 203 at bats he had 10 doubles and an on base percentage of .336 while swiping five bags. Taylor was a 24th round pick by the Twins in 2000 out of Sacramento City College.

The 20-year-old Waldrop was the third first round pick (25th overall) by the Twins in the June 2004 draft. This season at Single-A Beloit Waldrop was 6-3, 3.85 in 18 games. In 110.0 innings pitched he had one complete game shutout while walking 17 and striking out 62 with the opposition hitting .259 against him. Waldrop attended Farragut (TN) high school.

The Miracle roster sits at the maximum 25 players, 12 pitchers and 13 position players.

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