PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Pascucci Tops Lists of Dodgers Free Agent Signees

January 8, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Albuquerque Isotopes 2007 fan favorite Valentino Pascucci is among the list of 15 free agents that have signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and could make an appearance on the 2009 ‘Topes roster, the Triple-A club announced today. Also signing with Los Angeles is veteran Major League reliever, and former University of New Mexico Lobo, Scott Strickland.

In 2007, outfielder/first baseman Valentino Pascucci, 30, enjoyed one of the best seasons in Isotopes history, blasting a then-franchise record 34 home runs while driving in 98 runs and scoring 93 more. Pascucci was named to the All Pacific Coast League post-season team and represented the PCL in the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game at Isotopes Park, where he belted a homer and was named the PCL's Star of the Game. Last season, after starting the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Phillies) Pascucci joined the New Orleans Zephyrs, then an affiliate of the New York Mets, for whom he batted .290 with 27 homers and 81 RBI in 114 games.

A veteran of 236 Major League games, right-hander Scott Strickland, 32, spent all of 2008 with Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre (New York Yankees), where he went 4-0 with 12 saves and a 3.53 ERA in 52 appearances. Strickland's last Major League stint came in 2005, when he saw action in five games for the Houston Astros. The reliever also saw big league time with the Montreal Expos from 1999-2002 and the New York Mets from 2002-2003, racking up a career record 12-21 with 20 saves and a 3.34 ERA. Strickland played for the Lobos from 1995 to 1997, leading the team strikeouts in '97 with 59.

Another addition is infielder Juan Castro, 36, who has logged 14 season in the Major Leagues, most recently with the Baltimore Orioles where last year he finished the season as the team's every-day shortstop. In 54 games for the O's, Castro batted .205 with two homers and 16 RBI. Castro began his career in the Dodgers organization, playing for the Dukes from 1995 to 1997 and making his Major League debut in Los Angeles in 1995.

Other notable free agents include left-hander Erick Threets, who began last season on San Francisco's Opening Day roster before being sidelined with an intercostal muscle strain, and lefty Carmen Cali, a veteran of three Major League seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins.

The Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will open up their 2009 campaign on April 9 and season tickets as well as mini-plans are on sale now.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from January 8, 2009


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