SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Stephens to Tampa, Pruitt to Staten Island; Chigges, Cuello Join Team

Published on June 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - The New York Yankees on Friday announced that Charleston RiverDogs starting pitcher Jason Stephens has been promoted to the High Class-A Tampa Yankees, and infielder Braedyn Pruitt has been transferred to the short-season Class-A Staten Island Yankees. Former College of Charleston pitching standout Nick Chigges and utilityman Prilys Cuello have been added to the roster from Staten Island to complete the transaction.

Stephens marks the second RiverDog to be promoted this season, following starting pitcher Zach McAllister was promoted to Tampa on May 31.

Stephens, who began the season in the Charleston bullpen, flourished when added to the starting rotation allowing just three earned runs in his first 17.1 innings. The Tallmadge, Ohio native posted a 2-3 record with a 3.02 ERA in 17 total appearances (eight starts), surrendering only 21 runs in 59.2 innings pitched with a miniscule 10 walks and 52 strikeouts.

The Yankees' sixth round selection in the 2003 draft also put together a streak 27 scoreless innings from April 10 through May 19 (covering 10 appearances) and also fanned a career-high 12 batters in seven innings against the Hickory Crawdads on May 30.

Pruitt, who began this season with the High Class-A Tampa Yankees, appeared in 17 games in Charleston and posted a .288 average with one RBI and nine runs scored. The West Palm Beach, Fla. native was adept at reaching base, accomplishing the feat in 15 of those games. The Yankees 14th round pick in 2007 will now have a second go-round with Staten Island, where he hit .347 last season to rank second in the entire New York-Penn League (NYP).

It will be a homecoming or sorts for Chigges, who enjoyed a much-decorated career with the College of Charleston. The Yankees' 13th round selection in the 2007 draft helped lead the Cougars to four straight Southern Conference titles, while registering a 31-5 career record and a phenomenal 22-3 clip in his final two seasons. For his efforts, Chigges was named first team All-SoCon, SoCon Pitcher of the Year and an All-American in both 2006 and ‘07.

"I certainly believe that Nick Chigges deserves this opportunity because he has worked extremely hard, and we wish him nothing but the best," said Cougars head coach John Pawlowski.

"People in Charleston will now have the opportunity to see the two-time Southern Conference Pitcher of Year perform throughout the summer, as Nick continues to make the College of Charleston very proud of him on and off the field."

Chigges spent his first professional season with the short-season Class-A Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League (NYP). In 2007, the Columbia, SC native recorded a 3-4 record and 2.29 ERA in 19 games (four starts). In 55.0 innings, Chigges allowed 15 runs on 43 hits while walking 21 batters and striking out 62.

Cuello appeared in one game with Staten Island this past Wednesday, batting third as the designated hitter and going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and a run scored in a 9-4 loss to the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The 19-year-old Cuello primarily played with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Yankees in 2007, where he hit .283 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 47 games played. The Dominican-native, who signed as non-drafted free agent in 2005, began his career with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Yankees in 2006, hitting .279 in 59 games at second base with seven home runs and 38 RBI.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 20, 2008


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