Talented rosters for Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta
Reporter: Jason Barr; Sports Director
TUCSON (Tucson Padres) The second annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta is coming up October 4-7 at Kino Stadium and the rosters combine Major League talent with up-and-coming minor league stars. Here are some of the players fans will see beginning Thursday in Tucson:
San Diego Padres Future Stars: The San Diego Padres are sending a young and talented team to Tucson from their fall Instructional League complex in Peoria, Arizona. Four of the first five and 16 of the first 30 Padres picks from the 2012 Amateur Draft are currently in Instructional League. The list includes top pitching picks Max Fried and Zach Eflin.
Midwest League All-Star catcher Austin Hedges is also with the Padres in Instructional League. Hedges was rated the Padres tenth best prospect by MLB.com before the 2012 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Future Stars: The Los Angeles Dodgers organization is also sending some of their best young minor league talent to Tucson for the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta. Four of the first five and 21 of the first 30 Dodgers 2012 draft picks are in fall Instructional League.
The top Dodgers prospects include infielder Cory Seager, the 18th overall pick from the 2012 draft, who hit .309 in his first professional season at Rookie-Level Ogden. Onelki Garcia is one of the top young pitchers in the Dodgers system. He was signed as a third round draft choice this year and was immediately assigned to High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo: Humberto Cota is the Naranjeros catcher. Cota played seven seasons in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-2007. Hermosillo also has veteran hitter Jacob Cruz, who spent nine seasons in the Majors with the Giants, Indians, Rockies, Tigers and Reds.
Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon: Chicago Cubs reliever Esmailin Caridad anchors the Obregon bullpen. Caridad is familiar with Kino Stadium, having pitched against the Tucson Padres while with the Iowa Cubs in August of this season.
Venados de Mazatlan: Mexican baseball veteran and former San Diego Padres pitcher Walter Silva leads the Venados pitching staff. He is joined by Minnesota Twins pitcher Anthony Slama, who spent parts of 2010 and 2011 in the Major Leagues.
Tomateros de Culiacan: Fans will see a familiar face behind the plate for Culiacan, San Diego Padres catcher Ali Solis. The 25-year-old played for the Tucson Padres in 2011 and made his Major League debut this season. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City in July.
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