azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 21, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Ramon Peña, the Diamondbacks' mysterious pitching prospect in the hunt for a spot in the starting rotation, finally managed to clear up visa problems and arrived in camp on Sunday. Not surprisingly, a few one-liners about his embarrassing identity issues arrived with him.
Like this one, courtesy of Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, when asked what he knows about the hard-throwing right-hander who previously pitched under the alias Adriano Rosario:
"Well, I know he's literally the player to be named later."
Peña's story is still a little unclear, but while in his native Dominican Republic he assumed the name of a family member to appear younger and help his chances of landing a signing bonus, which is not uncommon among some Dominicans. He duped the Diamondbacks, who signed him as a non-drafted free agent in June 2002, when he was allegedly 17.
Turns out he was 20, now 23, with a different name. When his charade was discovered last year, it virtually wiped out most of his 2004 season. He was 3-3 at Double-A El Paso after seven starts, and then was forced to return to the Dominican to clear up his identity.
While there, Peña issued a public apology. But upon meeting with reporters here Sunday following his first work off the mound, he didn't wish to discuss the subject in any detail, according to interpreter Carlos Tosca, the Diamondbacks' third base coach.
"He says there is still some things out there that aren't clear and he really doesn't want to comment on that," Tosca said. "He wants to be focus on this year. . . . He feels bad about it, though. Yes."
Melvin and the Diamondbacks have been led to believe the identity issues have been resolved and view Peña as a top candidate to claim the No. 5 starter's job. He has a fastball that clocks well into the mid- to high-90 mph range, a slider and a sinker, and is improving his change-up.
In the fold
Peña was one of 10 players to agree to terms with the club. The Diamondbacks also announced the signings of infielders Matt Kata and Jerry Gil, along with pitchers Greg Aquino, Jose Valverde, Michael Gosling, Oscar Villarreal, Edgar Gonzalez, Dustin Nippert and Justin Wechsler.
Short hops
Melvin singled out the bullpen performances Sunday of pitchers Mike Koplove, Brad Halsey and especially, right-hander Enrique Gonzalez.
"He impresses me every time he goes out there," Melvin said. "For a young kid, he seemed like he's got some mound presence. He throws the ball where he wants to. He repeats his delivery. He hides the ball well. There's a lot of good things about this kid."
• Position players report today, but a few more reported early on Sunday, including first baseman Chad Tracy, outfield prospect Marland Williams and Gil.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0221dbnb0221.html
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 21, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Ramon Peña, the Diamondbacks' mysterious pitching prospect in the hunt for a spot in the starting rotation, finally managed to clear up visa problems and arrived in camp on Sunday. Not surprisingly, a few one-liners about his embarrassing identity issues arrived with him.
Like this one, courtesy of Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, when asked what he knows about the hard-throwing right-hander who previously pitched under the alias Adriano Rosario:
"Well, I know he's literally the player to be named later."
Peña's story is still a little unclear, but while in his native Dominican Republic he assumed the name of a family member to appear younger and help his chances of landing a signing bonus, which is not uncommon among some Dominicans. He duped the Diamondbacks, who signed him as a non-drafted free agent in June 2002, when he was allegedly 17.
Turns out he was 20, now 23, with a different name. When his charade was discovered last year, it virtually wiped out most of his 2004 season. He was 3-3 at Double-A El Paso after seven starts, and then was forced to return to the Dominican to clear up his identity.
While there, Peña issued a public apology. But upon meeting with reporters here Sunday following his first work off the mound, he didn't wish to discuss the subject in any detail, according to interpreter Carlos Tosca, the Diamondbacks' third base coach.
"He says there is still some things out there that aren't clear and he really doesn't want to comment on that," Tosca said. "He wants to be focus on this year. . . . He feels bad about it, though. Yes."
Melvin and the Diamondbacks have been led to believe the identity issues have been resolved and view Peña as a top candidate to claim the No. 5 starter's job. He has a fastball that clocks well into the mid- to high-90 mph range, a slider and a sinker, and is improving his change-up.
In the fold
Peña was one of 10 players to agree to terms with the club. The Diamondbacks also announced the signings of infielders Matt Kata and Jerry Gil, along with pitchers Greg Aquino, Jose Valverde, Michael Gosling, Oscar Villarreal, Edgar Gonzalez, Dustin Nippert and Justin Wechsler.
Short hops
Melvin singled out the bullpen performances Sunday of pitchers Mike Koplove, Brad Halsey and especially, right-hander Enrique Gonzalez.
"He impresses me every time he goes out there," Melvin said. "For a young kid, he seemed like he's got some mound presence. He throws the ball where he wants to. He repeats his delivery. He hides the ball well. There's a lot of good things about this kid."
• Position players report today, but a few more reported early on Sunday, including first baseman Chad Tracy, outfield prospect Marland Williams and Gil.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0221dbnb0221.html
