VIPERS SIGN TWO; DRAFT FIVE
The Calgary Vipers of the California Golden League have signed one of their outstanding players from the 2006 season. Relief pitcher Jon Huizinga was obtained, via the St. Paul Saints, in a trade with Brockton of the Can-Am League, for Northern League RBI king Jason Colson. The Saints had dealt his rights to Brockton to facilitate the trade back to Calgary. The 28 year old right hander was dominant for the Vipers in 2006 especially in the final month of the season. Even though he was hurt for a month Huizinga closed out 25 games for the Vipers with 12 saves and a 3.29 ERA. Last season in St. Paul of the American Association he was 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA.
The Vipers also signed second baseman Jorge Mejia to a 2008 contract. Mejia, also a part of the Colson trade joins fellow Dominicans Carlos Duncan and Nelson Castro in giving the Vipers an infield comprised of All-Stars. Mejia hit .329 with Brockton last season and made stops with Quebec of the Can-Am League and the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League as well in 2007. The 25 year old switch-hitter replaces Manabu Kuramochi who decided to stay in Japan in 2008.
The two signings bring to 14 the number of players under contract to the Vipers for the 2008 season.
The Vipers also selected five players in the Arizona Winter League player draft. Heading the list is outfielder Tim Ryan who had a successful rookie season with the Edmonton Cracker-Cats hitting .253 with a pair of home runs. The Snakes also grabbed two of the most impressive pitchers in the AWL. Robert Goldblatt, from Buffalo Grove, Illinois was 2-0 during the month and was the winning pitcher for Canada in the league semi-final on Saturday. Brian Fulcher, from Manhattan College, was 2-2 for San Diego with an incredible walks to strike-out ratio. He fanned 28 and walked only 3 in 28 innings.
The Vipers also drafted two graduates of the WMBL. Catcher Dillon O’Krane from the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets and outfielder Colin Moro from the Okotoks Dawgs both played with the Canada Miners and will attend Vipers training camp.
The Vipers will hold a Free Agent camp in Yuma, Arizona on Friday, May 9. The Snakes open their fourth training camp on Saturday, May 10 in Yuma. They will play four pre-season games against the Yuma Scorpions before heading north for the start of the season in Edmonton on Friday, May 23. Tickets and Flex Packs are available by calling the Vipers office at 403-277-2255.
