Top talent to converge in Tucson

October 26, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson, AZ-The 2005 Tucson Sidewinders will aim for the Southern Division title with a talented mixture of top prospects coming up from El Paso, savvy veterans with major league experience and familiar faces from 2004's winning team. Although the official roster will not be set until the culmination of spring training, there is plenty to be excited about as next year's squad attempts to deliver Tucson's fourth consecutive winning season for the first time in franchise history.

The Diamondbacks have recently re-signed four 2004 Sidewinders to Tucson contracts including major league C Juan Brito and C/1B Alan Zinter. LHP Jon Cannon and RHP Winston Abreu have also been inked to minor league contracts. Brito, 25, began 2004 with Tucson hitting .314/.358/.490 (AVG/OBP/SLG) before being recalled by the Diamondbacks on June 9th. Zinter, 36, also began 2004 with the Sidewinders hitting .335/.403/.542 before being recalled by the Diamondbacks on June 8th. Cannon, 29, will return to Tucson after being named the Sidewinders Pitcher of the Year for 2004, going 9-8 with a 4.29 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings. Abreu, 26, tallied 3 saves and a 1-0 record with a 5.68 ERA and a 41/25 SO/BB ratio in 44 1/3 innings with the Sidewinders in 2004 after being signed as a minor league free agent by the Diamondbacks on June 18th. Brito, Zinter and Cannon all received invitations to the Diamondbacks major league spring training camp.

In addition to seeing major league experienced players, Tucson fans will also have the opportunity to watch many of the Diamondbacks top prospects in 2005. The ‘Talented Trio' comprised of OF Conor Jackson, OF Carlos Quentin, and 3B Jamie D'Antona lead a group prospect candidates likely to hit Tucson in 2005. The Diamondbacks top three picks in the 2003 amateur draft combined to hit .323 with 39 HR and 162 RBI in 70 games with Single-A Lancaster in 2004 before earning a group promotion to Double-A El Paso in the second half. Other potential Sidewinders prospects include SS Sergio Santos, who was the team's first round selection in 2002, Tucson native and Sunnyside HS alum 1B Jesus Cota, and speedy CF Marland Williams who has stolen more than 150 bases in less than three professional seasons.

For more information on the Tucson Sidewinders please call 520-434-1307 or visit www.tucsonsidewinders.com .



Pacific Coast League Stories from October 26, 2004


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