X's Strengthen Bullpen
Published on April 19, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA - With less than 2 weeks before spring training, the Sioux City Explorers are adding some serious depth to their bullpen. The X's announced today they have signed former Major Leaguer Emiliano Fruto and 2010 holdover Eddie de la Cruz.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2000 by the Seattle Mariners, Fruto spent six years with the Mariners before making his MLB debut in 2006. He made 23 appearances with the major league club, compiling a 2-2 record with 1 save, while striking out 34 batters in 36 innings pitched. The right-hander spent a majority of his career in AAA with the Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals farm teams. In 758 career innings, Fruto has struck out 765 batters while only allowing 401 walks.
Although Fruto is new to the Explorers, he will join many former teammates. He spent the 2010 season in Tucson, AZ with Wally Backman, Jr. and Ryan Priddy as members of the Tucson Toros, which were coached by current X's Field Manager, Stan Cliburn. After the 2010 season, Fruto played winter ball in his native land, Colombia, with current X's players Ray Serrano and David Trahan.
"Fruto gives the X's a bonafide closer and an arm that can give us quality innings in a starting role, if necessary," said Cliburn.
Last season with the Toros, Fruto went 5-4 with a miniscule 2.15 ERA, allowing only 12 earned runs in 41 outings. He collected 17 saves, striking out 72 batters while only allowing 21 free passes. His efforts were rewarded when he was named a 2010 Golden League All-Star.
"Every Day" Eddie de la Cruz will again be a familiar face in the X's bullpen. In 2010, de la Cruz appeared in over half of the games (53), going 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA. The right-hander struck out 65 batters in 65 innings pitched, while only allowing 20 earned runs and walks.
"De la Cruz is a solid set-up man for the closer and an important reliever for those middle to late innings," Cliburn mentioned of his side-arm reliever.
The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native was signed by the X's after the '09 season in a trade that sent Nick Singleton and Tyler Meigs to the Gary Southshore Railcats. In his two years with Gary (2008-2009), de la Cruz went 8-2 with a 2.70 and 3.06 ERA in a total 54 innings pitched. Before arriving in Gary, de la Cruz spent seven years in the Tampa Bay Rays system, playing in 2007 season with Vero Beach (A-) appearing in 45 games collecting a 3.98 ERA.
Spring Training for the X's starts on Saturday, April 30th at 10:00 a.m., going until 2:00 p.m. with practice open to the media and general public. The team will open their 2011 exhibition schedule in Huron, SD on May 6th and the following day the X's will stay in the state of South Dakota and travel to Yankton, SD with another exhibition game versus the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants. The X's will continue their exhibition schedule on May 9th in Topeka, KS versus the Kansas City T-Bones and will travel to Wichita on May 10th for their final exhibition tune up versus the Wingnuts. The 2011 regular season will kick off on May 12th, when the X's travel down to Fort Worth, TX to take on the Cats in a (4) game series, followed by (3) games against the defending American Association League Champions, the Shreveport-Bossier Captains.
The Explorers 2011 season home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the Fort Worth Cats in a 7:05 contest, with Great Southern Bank magnet schedule giveaway and post-game fireworks following the game. Individual game tickets are on sale NOW, purchase them by calling (712) 277-WINS or stopping by the stadium box office.
American Association Stories from April 19, 2011
- Brasfield Joins AirHogs as VP/GM - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- 2011 RailCats Promotional Calendar: Phase Six - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- AirHogs Name Brasfield VP/GM - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- T-Bones Announce 2011 Promotions Schedule - Kansas City Monarchs
- Righty and Lefty Added to Wingnuts' Pitching Mix - Wichita Wingnuts
- April 19 High School Challenge Game Postponed - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- X's Strengthen Bullpen - Sioux City Explorers
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