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Pelicans Add a Starter and Speedy Infielder

August 14, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pensacola Pelicans announced today that two new players will be joining the team on the road: right handed pitcher Kevin Cooper and infielder Jason Diaz. Both players will suit up in Pelicans' road uniforms as Pensacola starts a six-game road trip.

Infielder Jason Diaz comes to the Pelicans from San Angelo of the United League. The 5'8" 160 pound infielder has been a mark of consistency over his three professional seasons, hitting .290 the last two years. Breaking into the pros in 2007, Diaz hit .290 for San Angelo with five doubles and a triple in 34 games. The next year he turned on the speed for the Bay Area Toros of the Continental League, swiping 26 bases in 34 games while still batting .290. When the transaction was completed, Diaz was hitting .287 with an on-base percentage of .403. Diaz stole 21 bases in 46 games and will look to add more speed to the Pelicans' roster and depth to the defense.

Joining Diaz and the Pelicans is right handed pitcher Kevin Cooper. Cooper, a starter for Bay Area of the Continental League, can claim a 2.22 ERA at this point in the 2009 season. In 11 starts, Cooper is 5-2 and looks to add a strikeout punch to the Pelicans' staff, having struck out 67 batters in 65 innings this far into the year. Cooper comes to professional baseball from Angelina College and calls Beaumont, Texas home.

The two players join Pensacola in the middle of a playoff push: before Friday's game, the Pelicans were three games ahead in first place. With the addition of Cooper and Diaz, the Pelicans' roster stands at the league limit of 22. Third baseman Lee Huggins will return to South Louisiana of the Continental League.



American Association Stories from August 14, 2009


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