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Pelicans Add Back-to-Back All-Star

April 21, 2005 - Central Baseball League (Central League)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


Pensacola, FL - The Pelicans announced today they have acquired and signed slugging rightfielder Juan Rocha to contract for the 2005 Pensacola Pelicans season.

Rocha was originally selected by the Royals in the 67th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball amateur draft, where he played until 1998. He has since played in the Independent Atlantic, Western and Central Leagues.

The power-hitting Rocha has been on a tare the past three years hitting .312 with 57 homeruns, 56 doubles, 211 RBI and 193 runs scored.

In 2004, Rocha led the league hitting 20 homeruns during the regular season, was 3rd in the league with 175 total bases and 4th with 72 RBI. Rocha was named the CBL Player of the Week for the Week of May 30, 2004. He was also elected to the Central League All-Star team for the second consecutive year.

In 2003, Rocha had a showcase season with the San Angelo Colts where he was atop the leader board in nearly every offensive category. His .332 batting average, 19 homeruns, 73 RBI, .545 slugging percentage and .408 on-base percentage were all good enough for third best in the league in each respective category. Rocha also smacked 21 doubles and one triple and scored a league-second best 72 runs on his way to his first CBL All-Star selection.

"We've been working for nearly a month to get this deal finalized," said Pelicans General Manager George Stavrenos. "Both the Pelicans and Juan are happy it's final and now we can focus on the 2005 season. With Juan in the outfield along with Nestor Smith and George Branch, our starting outfielders should be one of the toughest defensively and one of the most productive offensively in the Central League."

Last year, Rocha was Pensacola's nemesis during the play-offs where he hit three homeruns and two doubles during the 5-game divisional series with the Shreveport Sports.

"We are happy to have Juan on our side this season," said Stavrenos.

Stavrenos added that Rocha is the finishing piece of the Pelicans' roster with Spring Training set to being Monday, April 25.

** Only 18 Days Until Home Opener **

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