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"Papas" waived

August 6, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


(Yuma, AZ) - The Yuma Scorpions announced today that they have released a local product and have also signed a pitcher and rookie outfielder. Yesterday, rookie outfielder Ryan Wilson made his pro debut as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Scorpions after being signed to a contract earlier in the day. Today, the Scorpions officially placed left-handed pitcher David Cuen and outfielder Eric Johnson on waivers, and signed 2-year pro pitcher Jose Urena.

Expectations were very high when the Scorpions signed Cuen-a product of Yuma's Cibola High School-in April. Cuen-who was drafted by the Dodgers right out of Cibola High School at age 17-was trying to bounce back from arm troubles that had plagued him throughout the last two seasons. Unfortunately, injuries continued to bother Cuen-mostly with his throwing shoulder-from mid-June on this season, and ‘Papas' was never able to regain the form that the Dodgers got when they signed him five years ago. Cuen began the season in the bullpen, then moved to the starting rotation when he started to feel stronger in early June, only to fall back into the ‘pen after 3 starts when his shoulder began tightening up in late June. Cuen leaves the Scorpions with a 1-3 record and a 5.45 ERA, giving up 21 earned runs in 34 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Scorpions are the 2nd GBL team to release Johnson this season. Johnson was the Fullerton Flyers' starting center fielder for the first two weeks of the season, then went on the disabled list, and was released nearly two weeks later. The Scorpions signed him June 27th. Johnson played 26 games for the Scorpions, batting .286 with 2 homers and 10 runs batted in.

Meanwhile, Wilson comes to the Scorpions after 3 monster seasons at NAIA power Oregon Tech under current Scorpions' hitting coach Pete Whisler. Wilson was a starting outfielder for OIT the past 3 seasons, and has been an NAIA Academic All-American and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American each of the last 2 seasons. He was the Cascade Conference's 2004 Player of the Year, batting as high as .361. He also played high school baseball with current San Diego Surf Dawgs' All-Star outfielder Seth Pietsch. Urena joins the Scorpions' pitching staff after spending two seasons in the States playing for the Chicago Cubs' organization. He spent the 2003 season with the Cubs' Arizona Fall League team, and last season with their Single A Northwest League affiliate in Boise. Over that time, he's pitched in 23 games-all in relief.

Contact: Jim Howell -- Director of Public Relations, Pat Brown -General Manager



Golden Baseball League Stories from August 6, 2005


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