Toros Draft Six Players From The Arizona Winter League
April 6, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Tucson Toros News Release
Tucson, AZ - The Tucson Toros have drafted six players from the Arizona Winter League and have invited them to their spring training camp set to begin Wednesday, May 5th. The Toros selected five pitchers and an outfielder in the draft that took place in Yuma, AZ at the culmination of the Arizona Winter League (AWL) season.
The AWL is a premier winter instructional league for professional and aspiring professional baseball players. The 2010 season fielded eight teams comprised of 176 players from seven countries and played a 35 day schedule, with games taking place in Yuma, Arizona and San Luis, Arizona. The league debuted in 2007, and has seen two of its alumni reach the Major Leagues including Sergio Romo (brother of 2009 Toro Andrew Romo) pitching for the Giants and Scott Richmond for the Blue Jays. For many players, the AWL is their first crack at being signed to a professional contract and beginning their baseball career.
Independent teams who have members of their coaching staffs participate in the AWL are allowed to subsequently draft players out the league, with Tucson skipper Tim Johnson representing the Toros. Teams from the Frontier League, United League and American Association also participated. One player was also signed into the New York Mets organization prior to the draft.
With their 1st Round Pick (8th overall) the Toros selected RHP Andrew Snowden out of Central Washington University, who was 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA and lead the league with 39 innings pitched and ranking second with an equal number of strikeouts. The Toros then selected RHP Matthew Maguire who paced the league with 6 saves and RHP Eric Faint who ranked second with 5 of his own.
In the 4th and 5th Rounds Tucson selected a pair of players from Japan - RHP Yoshitaka Nishi who had a 2.28 ERA and OF Sho Konishi who hit .432 with a .591 slugging percentage. The Toros wrapped up their selections with LHP Kevin Ricketts who pitched at York College of Nebraska.
The draftees will report to camp in May in their attempt to make the club and become the next Tucson Toro and AWL alumni to eventually graduate to the Major Leagues.
The Toros will kickoff the 2010 season in defense of their South Division title on Wednesday, May 19th when they take on the Edmonton Capitals at Hi Corbett Field at 7:00 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Golden Baseball League message board...
Golden Baseball League Stories from April 6, 2010
- Toros Draft Six Players From The Arizona Winter League - Tucson Toros
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
