Scorpions retool roster after Surf Dawgs' series

Published on July 22, 2005 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


(Yuma, AZ) - The Yuma Scorpions announced today that they have released 3 players and signed a pitcher and infielder. The Scorpions have released relief pitchers Brian Hewitt and Brian Barnett, as well as rookie middle infielder Eric Pringle. They have also signed 9-year pro pitcher Jose Espinal and rookie infielder Bo Cogbill. The announcement was made right before the Scorpions' game with Surprise Thursday night.

Both Hewitt and Pringle had been with the Scorpions since spring training. Hewitt actually came to Scorpions' camp in May trying to secure a roster spot as a 3rd baseman, but Scorpions' Manager Benny Castillo saw that Hewitt had a live arm, and a better chance to make the team as a relief pitcher. Hewitt struggled at times, though, and leaves the team with a 1-3 record and a 5.05 ERA. Hewitt appeared in 23 games for the Scorps-all in relief-and had given up 20 earned runs in 35 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Pringle had been used mostly as a defensive replacement and as a pinch-runner by Castillo. The native of Inglewood, California, had shown promise in the infield, but struggled at the plate, hitting only .220 in 50 plate appearances, with 1 home run and 8 RBI. Meanwhile, Barnett has now been released by two GBL teams. Barnett was signed by the Scorpions 3 weeks ago after being waived by the Surprise Fightin' Falcons. As a Scorpion, Barnett was 1-0 with an ERA of 3.38. He gave up 3 earned runs in 8 innings, walking 6 and striking out 6.

As far as the newcomers go, Espinal's name should be a familiar one to those who've followed Yuma baseball over the past five years. Espinal is a nine-year pro who was originally signed by the Chicago Cubs' organization in 1994, and spent six seasons playing rookie league and ‘A' ball for the Cubs and Minnesota Twins. Once released at the end of spring training in 2000, he caught the eye of Yuma Bullfrogs' Manager Bill Plummer, who was looking for that fifth starter in his pitching rotation. Espinal not only solidified the rotation, he became the ace of the staff in the Bullfrogs' inaugural season, going 8-5 for the ‘Frogs, and garnering a WBL All-Star spot. After that season, though, Espinal decided to quit baseball, and didn't have a change of heart until last season, when the Chicago White Sox came calling to offer him a spot at their Class A Winston-Salem affiliate in the Carolina League. Espinal responded in a big way, going 8-2 as a reliever, with a 3.48 ERA in a career-high 42 pitching appearances. Meanwhile, Cogbill joins the Scorpions just two months after completing his senior season at Texas Christian University. Cogbill-a native of Lake Dallas, Texas-was very versatile for the Horned Frogs-playing most of his games at 3rd base, but also spending time in left field and even on the mound. He peaked at the right time for the Horned Frogs, being named to the All-NCAA Tournament team for the Waco Regional. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder also hit over .400 during his one year of juco ball at Weatherford JC in New Mexico.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from July 22, 2005


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