Scorpions Win Arizona Winter League as 48 Players Sign Pro Contracts
Published on March 6, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
Yuma, AZ. March 6, 2009 - The 2009 Arizona Winter League, the nation's premier winter instructional league for professional and aspiring professional baseball players, concluded this past weekend with the Yuma Scorpions, led by manager and ex-Dodger Mike Marshall, prevailing over the Palm Springs Chill, led by manager and ex-Tiger Darrell Evans in the Championship Game. Over 40 players were drafted and signed to contracts by teams in the American Association, Can-Am League, Golden League, and Northern League. In addition, at the conclusion of the AWL a number of players were also under contract in the Frontier League, Continental League, and Japanese professional independent leagues.
"This was a great season for the Arizona Winter League in all aspects," said Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "We had our largest number of teams and players, record attendance by the fans, the highest number of players drafted as 46 free agents received contract offers from professional teams in a number of leagues, and 14 major league organizations sent scouts to evaluate the prospects."
The 2009 Arizona Winter League fielded eight teams comprised of 192 players from six countries and played a 35 day schedule with games in Yuma, Arizona; San Luis, Arizona; Blythe, California; and Palm Springs, California. Managed by experienced professional managers and coaches the teams were led by an impressive group of skippers that included 3-time Major League All-Star Garry Templeton, 2-time All-Star and 1984 World Series Champion Darrell Evans, Natonal League All-Star and 2-time World Series Champion Mike Marshall, 2-time Major League All-Star Ozzie Virgil, former Major League pitchers Greg Cadaret and Les Lancaster, and severl more. In three years of existence, the Arizona Winter League has now had over 100 players signed to professional contracts with two, Sergio Romo and Scott Richmond, now pitching in the major leagues.
Player of the Year was former Minnesota Twins minor leaguer OF Gregory Najac and Pitcher of the Year was former Cleveland Indians minor leaguer LHP Roger Lincoln. Championship Game MVP was C Jonathan Thomas who went 3-4 at the plate for the Yuma Scorpions, scored three runs, drove in 3, and stole home twice as Yuma defeated the Palm Springs Chill 13-6 to win the title.
Players drafted include:
Pitchers: Paul Buchan, Mason Scott, Michael Ryder, Mark DiBernardo, Charlie Hesseltine, Adam Geary, Mario Guilin, Andrew Romo, Zach Beal, Ryann Foss, Nolan Shaffer, JH Jung, Andrew Demott, Michinao Yamamura, Mike Reeves, Matthew Marc-Aurele, Matt Gibbs, Dennis Cross, and Nathan Ginsberg.
Catchers: Aaron Jiminez, BJ Underkofler, Justin Holloway, Marcus Quade, Tim Martinez, and Cody Sandzimier
Infielders: Joshua Cox, Dave Adamchick, Ryan Arcadia, Joey Martin, Pedro Montero, Casey Raisbeck, Takashi Miyosh, Evan Romanchuk, Michael Stier, Noel Berumen, Louie Curcio, Ruben Sanchez, Keigo Moyagi, Brandon Howard, and Matt Edgecombe.
Outfielders: Ysidro Perez, Chris Petrie, Billy Krause, Hong Kim, Nicholas Bleau, Kyle Gearhart, Gregory Najac, Derrick Perren.
Golden Baseball League Stories from March 6, 2009
- Scorpions Win Arizona Winter League as 48 Players Sign Pro Contracts - GBL
- 2009 Golden Baseball League Schedule Released - GBL
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