Rock Cats Get Pitching and Power Help with Moves

Published on May 15, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT- The New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, has received RHP Brad Thompson and 1B Matt Rizzotti. Thompson, who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in 2006, joins New Britain from extended spring training as he recovers from Tommy John Surgery. Rizzotti, who has been one of the most prolific home run hitters in the Eastern League over the past two seasons (Reading Phillies), has been reassigned from Triple-A Rochester. In addition, the Rock Cats have also promoted OF Wilkin Ramirez and RHP Lester Oliveros to Triple-A Rochester.

Thompson, 30, signed with the Twins and has been pitching at extended spring training in Ft. Myers, FL. He did not pitch last season after having Tommy John Surgery. The right-hander spent five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2005-2009) before pitching for the Kansas City Royals in 2010. He was part of the World Series Championship Cardinals club that defeated the Detroit Tigers in 2006. In 6 years in the major leagues, Thompson went 21-21 with a 4.46 ERA in 201 games (32 starts).

Rizzotti, 26, batted .295 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI with the Eastern League's Reading Phillies last season. He was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies 40-man Major League Roster in 2011 and signed by the Minnesota Twins this past Spring Training. He began the season at Triple-A Rochester, batting .246 with six doubles, no home runs and 6 RBI in 22 games with the Red Wings. He had a terrific season in 2010, batting .361 with 16 homers and 62 RBI in 77 games at Reading. A 6th round pick of the Phillies in 2007 has been impressive in the EL, batting .318 with 40 home runs and 146 RBI in 216 games over the past two years.

Oliveros went 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 13 relief outings with the Rock Cats. Ramirez, who tied a franchise record by hitting a home run in four consecutive games last week, was batting .388 with 4 homers and 7 RBI in 11 games with the Rock Cats. The Rock Cats continue their 8 game homestand with a double-header tomorrow night against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 5:05. Tickets are available by calling 860-224-8383.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2012


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