Scorpions' newcomer signed by Red Sox

June 27, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


(Yuma, AZ) - The Yuma Scorpions announced today that they have released rookie pitcher John Jefferson to allow him to continue negotiations with the Boston Red Sox' organization-with whom he had begun discussions with prior to signing with Yuma. Jefferson left the Scorpions' offices this morning bound for his assignment at Fort Myers in the Class A Florida State League. Jefferson is the first Scorpions' player to be signed by an affiliated organization, and the ninth GBL player overall to head to a major league team's affiliate. The announcement was made just hours before the Scorpions take the field in Surprise for Game 1 of their three-game set against the Surprise Fightin' Falcons. The Scorpions also announced the signing of former Fullerton Flyers' outfielder Eric Johnson to a contract. Johnson met the team in Yuma late last night and rode on the team bus to the Phoenix area this morning. The Scorpions have also re-signed catcher Jeff Whitfield, and placed catcher/first baseman Jacob Guzman on the inactive list for a hand injury suffered during the Scorpions' recent nine-game road trip. It is the 3rd time that Whitfield has been added to the active roster since the start of the regular season.

Jefferson was only on the Scorpions' active roster for three days. In two appearances against Mesa this past weekend, Jefferson went three innings, and gave up 7 earned runs on 7 hits. Jefferson is a true rookie, having just finished his senior season at Oregon Tech (under Scorpions' hitting coach and current OIT Head Coach Pete Whisler).

Meanwhile, Johnson joins the Scorpions just three days after being waived by the Flyers. Johnson had spent the last eight days of his Flyers' tenure on the disabled list. Johnson-a native of Vidalia, Georgia-started in center field for 10 of the 11 games he played in for the Flyers, and he joins the Scorpions with a .263 batting average, with two home runs and 5 runs batted in.

All three Scorpions' games in Surprise can be heard live on the flagship station of the Scorpions-AM 560 KBLU, and on the internet at www.yumascorpions.com. The broadcast begins at 6:45PM each night. Then the Scorpions come home for a brief three-game homestand Thursday against the Japan Samurai Bears. It's Country Club Motors All-American Weekend Thursday through Saturday. Thursday, the 30th, the first 1000 fans through the gates get a free Scorpions' baseball-courtesy of Country Club Motors, Newschannel 11, The Sun Newspaper, and FM 95.1 KTTI. Friday, July 1st at 7:05PM, find out what patriotism is all about when the American Eagle comes to town. And Saturday, the 2nd, the first 4000 fans through the gates for the 7:05PM matchup get free whoopee cushions, and will have a chance to be part of history and set a new world record. There will also be a spectacular fireworks display after the game-the first and best fireworks display of the weekend in the Yuma area. Fans can get tickets by calling the Scorpions' Ticket Office at 726-9149, or logging on to yumascorpions.com and clicking on the ‘Single Game Tickets' link.



Golden Baseball League Stories from June 27, 2005


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