Reno brings in badly needed bats

Published on August 15, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Reno Silver Sox News Release


Reno, NV- On the eve of the Golden Baseball League roster deadline, the Reno Silver Sox announced that they have signed three new players, released two and traded another. The new additions to the Silver Sox are OF Carlos Rodriguez, 3B Lou Lucca, and OF Demond Smith. To make room for the new additions, the Sox released OF DJ Stacey and INF Brandon Carter and traded RHP Everret Stull.

In 1998, Rodriguez was an 11th round selection of the Boston Red Sox and spent five years in their organization, with his best season coming in 2000 with Augusta when he hit .306 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI. He also stole 26 bases that season.

After the Red Sox, the Cuban native signed with Quebec in the independent Northeast League and hit .272-21-63. Rodriguez was first in the league in home runs, first in home runs per at-bat (1/14.86), third in RBI and fourth in slugging percentage (.519) before signing with the Yankees. Last season, the 6-2, 210 pound Rodriguez hit .245 with 9 home runs and 42 RBI for the Astros double-A affiliate, Corpus Christi.

This season, Rodriguez was hitting .214 in 70 at-bats with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, but was 4 for 4 in stolen bases and still hit three home runs and drove in 10.

A native of San Francisco, Lucca played this season for Tijuana of the Mexican League, and hit .309 and with two home runs and 19 RBI in 94 at-bats. The fifteen-year veteran has played 11 seasons at the Triple-A level and is a career .281 hitter. A 32nd round pick of the Marlins in 1992, Lucca has 140 career home runs and 727 career RBI.

Smith hit .357 for Laguna in the Mexican League this season, hitting 6 home runs with 27 RBI. Smith was a sixth rounder by the Mets in 1990 and the switch-hitting outfielder is a career .297 hitter over 17 seasons. The Chino, CA resident has stolen 501 bases in his career in 706 attempts.

"These players are proven veterans that change the complexion of our lineup," said Silver Sox Manager Les Lancaster. "All of these additions are important in helping us achieve our ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Reno."

Stacey was batting .222 as a fourth outfielder for the Sox, while Carter was hitting .207 in limited action. Stull, a former major leaguer, was traded to the Laredo Broncos of the United Baseball League for a player to be named later. Stull was 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA in five starts.

The Silver Sox are back on August 21 to play a four game set against the Chico Outlaws. August 24 is Fan Appreciation Night where the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free hat courtesy of Clearwire! Someone will also have the chance to walk, er....drive away in a brand new Honda Ridgeline from Bill Pearce Honda! Tickets are available by calling the Silver Sox Box Office at (775) 348-7769 or by going to www.silversoxbaseball.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Golden Baseball League Stories from August 15, 2006


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.

OurSports Central