Scorpions continue to wheel and deal

Published on April 3, 2005 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


(Yuma, AZ) – The Yuma Scorpions have announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Dustin Kupper from the Richmond Roosters of the Frontier League for a player to be named later. The announcement was made on the eve of the Scorpions' local tryouts this weekend in Yuma and San Luis.

For Kupper, it means a welcome return to his home state of Arizona. The six-foot-six righty grew up in Tucson, and spent his college days in Tucson pitching for the Aztecs of Pima Community College. Kupper's work on the mound at Pima got the attention of the Florida Marlins, who selected him in the 9th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. After pitching eight games for Utica in the New York-Penn League in 2001, the Marlins moved Kupper up the ladder to Class A Jamestown in 2002, where in his second year there first met Scorpions' Manager Benny Castillo-who took over as Field Manager of the Jammers in ‘03. Kupper struggled, though, in his two years in Jamestown, going a combined 5-13 in over 132 innings in 2002 and 2003. However, Castillo saw bright spots as Kupper did pitch a complete-game shutout and struck out 88 batters in those two seasons. Nevertheless, the Marlins released him following spring training last March.

That's when the Cincinnati Reds came calling, signing Kupper a month later, and sending him to their rookie league affiliate in Billings, Montana. Kupper never found his comfort zone in the Pioneer League, and was released by the Reds after only four relief appearances. But the Roosters signed Kupper in July, and found an ace reliever in Kupper as he blew through Frontier League hitters, going 1-2 with three saves and a whopping 1.83 earned run average in 13 relief appearances. Still, as the 2004 season came to a close, Kupper found himself homesick, and wanting to find a team closer to his Tucson roots. When he discovered that his old Jammers' chief was taking the job in Yuma, the two re-connected, and today, Kupper is looking forward to being a Scorpion, and Castillo is excited to see what the big righthander can do again. "I've seen Dusty really mature over the last couple of years," remarked Castillo. "He's somebody who really makes the most of his opportunity-once he's given the chance. I think-given the chance here in Yuma-he's really going to make a great impression on Scorpions' fans."

Kupper will be helping Castillo out this weekend as the Scorpions hold their local tryouts. The first tryout will be Saturday at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, and Sunday's tryout will be held at Joe Orduno Park in San Luis. Registration is $20, and must be paid prior to the start of the tryouts. For more information and to sign up, call the Scorpions' offices at (928) 257-4700 or log onto www.yumascorpions.com.

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