Nationals stocking up
Published on November 26, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release
The Nationals have signed the following minor league free agents: RHP Tristan Crawford, RHP Steven Shell, 1B Luis Jimenez, 3B Yurendell De Caster, OF Jason Dubois, RHP Eduardo Baeza, RHP Bobby Brownlie, RHP Noel de Leon, RHP Josh Hall, RHP Dennis Tankersley, RHP Jim Ed Warden, LHP Mike Bacsik, LHP Mike Hinckley, C Humberto Cota, SS Marco Yepez, OF Jorge Padilla, RHP Buzz Vargas, 2B Brandon Powell, SS Ofilio Castro.
Clippers fans will remember Mike Bacsik, Josh Hall and Marcos Yepez from last year's club. Bacsik, who is best remembered for giving up Bond's record breaking home run, was 1-3 with Columbus before being called up to the Nationals (5-8). Hall split the season between the Clippers (1-1) and Double-A Harrisburg (2-3, 3.95), Yepez also split time with Columbus (.250) and Harrisburg (.291) in 2007.
The Nats also resigned farmhands Michael Hinckley (9-10, 5.83 ERA in Double-A), Eddy Baeza (1-3 with 9 saves, 4.35 ERA in Single-A), Noel De Leon (2-2, 8.10 in Single-A), Buzz Vargas (0-2-2, 10.66, Brandon Powell 10 HR, 56 RBIs, .296 splitting the season between Single-A and Double-A), and Ofilio Castro (0-22-.254)
The players with Triple-A experience include:
Yurendell De Caster hit .280 with 9 HRs and 54 RBIs with Indianapolis this year. He was named the Indians "Most Versatile Player" in 2005 after starting at five different positions: first base, second base, third base, left field and right field. De Caster also represented the Netherlands in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Jason Dubois batted .251 with 13 HRs and 42 RBIs in 104 games with Norfolk. He was a member of the Cleveland Indians organization in 2005 and 2006, including 14 games in the major leagues. Dubois also reached the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs ('04-'05).
Dennis Tankersly pitched against the Clippers as a member of the Toledo Mud Hens this year. He was 10-7 with a 4.41 ERA in 24 starts. Tankersly has major league experience with San Diego ('02-'04).
Humberto Cota was catching in Indianapolis this year. He also caught five games with Pittsburgh. Cota has landed in the majors in each of the last six seasons, including 93 games as the Pirates starting catcher in 2005.
Jorge Padilla hit .291 in 55 games with the Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League. He was in the International League in 2004 and 2005 with Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Phillies).
Jim Ed Warden was an Indians farmhand. He was 1-1 with a 7.33 ERA in 16 games with Buffalo and 4-4 with 6 saves and a 2.81 ERA with Akron.
Steven Shell was 7-3 with an 4.09 ERA with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake City (Angels).
Tristan Crawford was 8-5 with a 5.31 ERA spitting time between Rochester and Double-A New Britain.
Two highly rated Double-A players are:
Bobby Brownlie was a highly touted first round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs. Last season with Akron he was 1-2 with a 3.17 ERA in nine games.
Luis Jimenez hit .328 with 22 HRs and 79 RBIs in just 320 At Bats with Double-A Bowie (Orioles).
The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the signing of Clippers outfielders Brandon Watson and Michael Restovich. Former Clippers pitchers Kris Wilson ('06) and Matt Childers ('06) have also signed with Philly.
International League Stories from November 26, 2007
- Braves Set Guinness World Record - Gwinnett Stripers
- Nationals stocking up - Columbus Clippers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
