Villalon Contract Sold to Cardinals

July 24, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Duluth-Superior Dukes News Release


(Duluth, MN) Duluth-Superior Dukes RHP Julio Villalon's contract was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals organization this afternoon. The Cuban native is expected to report to the Cardinals' Potomac Cannons (High A) team of the Carolina League on Friday.

Villalon, 24, leaves the Dukes with a 7-3 record and a 3.26 ERA. Of his 13 appearances, Villalon allowed more than 3 runs in only twice. He leads the team in innings pitched (77.1 IP), as well as being second in the league in wins (7) and third in the league in strikeouts (74).

"We are very excited for Julio," said Dukes' General Manager, Adam Ehlert. "His personality and pitching presence will be missed, but this is the goal of the Northern League and it shows why the Northern League continues to be the premier independent league in the nation.

With the sale of Villalon's contract to the Cardinals, it marks the 46th Dukes player to join a Major League organization. Former Dukes' reliever, Terry Pearson (2000) made the Detroit Tigers Major League roster earlier this spring.

OF Chuck Koone was the last Dukes' player to have his contract sold to a Major League organization. He joined the Texas Rangers organization 3 days after signing with the Dukes in April 2001.

Villalon was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a nondrafted free agent in 2000. He joined the Dukes this May after two years Class A.



Northern League Stories from July 24, 2002


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