Saltdogs Re-Sign Postseason Ace Paduch
Published on March 30, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs on Tuesday brought back the best pitcher in the 2009 American Association playoffs, re-signing Jim Paduch. Lincoln also signed relief pitchers Ben Paxton and Angel Castro.
Paduch turned in a dominant postseason for Lincoln last year, going 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in four appearances and winning all three of his starts. He beat Wichita in game two of the division series, tossed a scoreless inning of relief in the decisive game five against the Wingnuts, and then beat Pensacola in both game two and game five of the championship series. The righty went 7-5 during the regular season, including an 11-strikeout game against Wichita in August, and struck out a team-best 96 batters overall.
"Jim really came on for us late in the season," said Saltdogs manager Marty Scott. "Once he started pounding the strike zone and getting ahead of hitters, he was dominant, and he helped carry us all the way to a championship. He's so tough to hit against when he's on, and I'm looking forward to having him back in the rotation this year."
Paxton, a rookie right-hander, turned heads in the Frontier League with Evansville last year after finishing his college career at Western Kentucky. He posted a 1.12 ERA in 27 relief appearances for the Otters, including four saves, and had his ERA as low as 0.23 late in the season. Paxton earned the #4 spot on Baseball America's list of top 2009 independent baseball prospects, one spot ahead of his new teammate, Tim Brown. Ben also earned a trip to spring training this month with the Houston Astros organization.
Castro originally signed with Lincoln before the 2009 season, but his contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies organization the day before the Saltdogs' season began. He pitched in both the Phillies' and Tampa Bay Rays' organizations last year, seeing time at the AA level for both clubs. Castro made his first AA-level appearance in 2008, when he was part of the Detroit Tigers organization.
The Saltdogs expect to announce more signings over the next couple of weeks, including the return of more key players from the 2009 championship squad.
American Association Stories from March 30, 2010
- Wingnuts' Owner Robertson Traded - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs Re-Sign Postseason Ace Paduch - Lincoln Saltdogs
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