July 17, 200620 yr (Pleasanton, CA. July 17, 2006) The Golden Baseball League today announced that Reno Silver Sox all-star third baseman Edgar Varela has had his contract purchased by the Florida Marlins. According to the Marlins, he will report immediately to the Florida State League Jupiter Hammerheads. "Edgar really deserves this opportunity," said Reno Silver Sox Manager Les Lancaster. "He has been one of the dominant hitters in the league and has been a vacuum at third base for us all season long. He was a key contributor as we won the first half title and will really be missed." Varela, 25, was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 31st round of the 2002 amateur draft out of Long Beach State University. Chicago assigned him to Bristol in the Appalachian League where he finished as one of the top hitters with a .330 average. He was promoted to Kannapolis in the South Atlantic League the next season but was later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Triple-A outfielder Nate Murphy. Arizona sent him to Lancaster in the High-A California League where he spent the next two seasons and finished 2005 as the starting 3rd baseman for the JetHawks and one of their leading hitters batting .309 for the season with 30 doubles. Slated for Double-A this year, he was a surprising release by Arizona in spring training of 2006 and was immediately signed by the Silver Sox. Varela has been one of the dominant hitters in the GBL this season and currently stands amongst the league leaders in batting average at .344 (4th), home runs with 9 (3rd), and RBIs with 43 (2nd) in the first 40 games of the season. He also leads the league in hits with 62 and in doubles with 19 while playing brilliant defense at the hot corner. He was selected to the GBL All-Star team and to the All-Star Home Run derby, but will now miss both as he is on his way to Florida. "Edgar is a great example of the value of independent leagues," said GBL Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "He was one of the finest hitters in High-A last year, but couldn't fit into the plans of the Diamondbacks. Playing in Reno allowed him to continue to improve his game, gain exposure, and be available when the opportunity arose with Florida." Varela is now the 5th Reno Silver Sox player to be acquired by a major league organization in their inaugural season, which leads all of independent baseball. He follows teammates Chris Key (Philadelphia-AA), Milko Jaramillo (Milwaukee - AAA), Jorge Rodriquez (San Diego - Rookie League), and Victor Hall (New York Yankees - High A) who all had their contracts sold since spring training. http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3346307 & SCHAUMBURG, IL - The Schaumburg Flyers batting lineup will be missing something when they return from the All-Star break. Fourth year player, shortstop and leadoff man Geoff McCallum has been sold to the Florida Marlins organization, announced by the club Monday morning. McCallum has become a mainstay in Schaumburg, playing with the club since the start of the 2003 season. McCallum arrived in Schaumburg in the first major transaction manager Andy McCauley made when he arrived in 2003. McCallum made his professional debut with McCauley in 2000 playing for the London Werewolves of the independent Frontier League. This season, McCallum is batting .305 for the Flyers, with 67 hits, 41 runs and 24 RBI. McCallum has also stolen 15 bases this season. He has been the leadoff man and shortstop in all 54 games this season, and was a selection to the 2006 Northern League All-Star team, one of four starters representing the Flyers. This will be the second time in affiliated ball for McCallum, he had a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners organization in 2001. McCallum will likely be heading to the high Class A Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League, located in Jupiter, Fla. McCallum leaves the Flyers holding the all-time record in games played with 317 games. Geoff is now the third player to be picked up by a major league affiliate this season, earlier this season pitchers R.J. Swindle and Kenny Durost were picked up by the New York Yankee and Oakland A's organizations, respectively. http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3346294
July 17, 200620 yr Varela, 25, ...was... later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Triple-A outfielder Nate Murphy. Arizona sent him to Lancaster in the High-A California League where he spent the next two seasons and finished 2005 as the starting 3rd baseman for the JetHawks and one of their leading hitters batting .309 for the season with 30 doubles. Slated for Double-A this year, he was a surprising release by Arizona in spring training of 2006 and was immediately signed by the Silver Sox. Does this sound familiar?
July 17, 200620 yr A ballclub working within our financial parameters should always be on the lookout for talent in hidden places.
July 17, 200620 yr in the d-backs defense they're loaded at almost every single position and can do this. They probably should be trying to turn some of this excess position player depth to pitching prospects though.
July 17, 200620 yr varela 25, so lets see how he plays in high class A now. I dont know how useful this will be to the marlins major league club. At the same time even if he doesnt pan out we dont lose much
July 17, 200620 yr varela has great numbers hitting wise...hopefully he'll continue that with the hammerheads
July 17, 200620 yr wonder why he was flat out released Because it's the Diamondbacks... hio... make one bad move and it becomes an epidemic lol
July 17, 200620 yr wonder why he was flat out released Because it's the Diamondbacks... hio... make one bad move and it becomes an epidemic lol LOL - You know, there's been a couple of stories recently on Dan Uggla that included quotes from his father. While Dan has to be diplomatic, his father just bashed the crap out of the Diamondbacks organization for never giving his kid the chance he thought he deserved and his son's success just gave him a chance to rub it in the D'Back's faces.. I enjoyed it emmensely.
July 18, 200620 yr Great moves...Jupiter needs hitting more than any team in our organization. Maybe we can strike gold twice and find another Uggla!
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.