Saltdogs Trade For Nelson
Published on January 18, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs made their 3rd player trade in the last week for the 2011 season. On Tuesday, the Saltdogs acquired outfielder Jon Nelson in exchange for outfielder Rafael Alvarez and outfielder Roberto Alvarez from the Lake County Fielders in the Northern League.
Nelson, 31, played in 96 games with Joliet in 2010 and hit .307 with 27 home runs (3rd in NL) and 68 RBI. The veteran slugger also hit 18 doubles and had a slugging percentage of .567 last season.
The 6'5, 240-pounder was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 26th round of the 2001 amateur draft. He spent seven season in the Mariners farm system, earning All Star selections in 2002 (Northwest League) and 2003 (Midwest League). Nelson attended Dixie Junior college and served a two year Mormon mission from 1998-2000 in Miami, FL.
The Saltdogs acquired Josh Short last week who was right behind Nelson in the home run race in the Northern League with 26 home runs in 2010. The duo of Nelson and Short should be able to continue the trend of a powerful line up in 2011. In 2010, the Saltdogs hit an eye-popping 128 home runs, shattering both the team record (105) and the American Association mark (96). That total includes an astounding 47 home runs in the month of August alone-a month in which Lincoln had six off-days.
Rafael Alvarez joined the Saltdogs on July 29, 2009 a few days after his release from Pensacola, and provided an immediate boost from his position in right field. In 2010, he hit .337 while playing in 93 games, totaling 29 doubles, 9 home runs, 53 RBI and 64 walks. Alvarez, a native of Venezuela, was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins organization back in 1994. He spent seven years in their organization, before finding success in the Mexican League and on the independent circuit.
Roberto Alvarez grew up in Cuba, and made a name for himself playing baseball there before defecting for a chance to play in the U.S. He signed with the Atlanta Braves organization, and spent the 2006 season in the Dominican Summer League before joining the Braves' high-Class A affiliate in Myrtle Beach. In 2010, he hit .283 while playing in 68 games, totaling 12 doubles, 5 home runs, 25 RBI and 14 walks.
For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com .
American Association Stories from January 18, 2011
- Captains to Feature Championship Logo in 2011 - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Saltdogs Trade For Nelson - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Mackintosh Moved to Chico in Three-Way Deal - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Fan Fest to Include Townsend, Rohde - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Ramon Added from Lake County - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Veteran Third Baseman Re-Ups with Kansas City - Kansas City Monarchs
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