Dodgers’ Font named PCL Pitcher of the Year Verdugo being promoted
Wilmer Font’s breakout season keeps getting better.
Oklahoma City’s 27-yearold right-hander was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday.
He’s the organization’s second pitcher since it joined the league in 1998 to win the award and first since Michael
Kirkman in 2010.
Font finally found success this season after meddling in the minors for the Rangers, Reds and Blue Jays. He’s struck out a career-high 178, which leads all of Triple-A and is second in all of Minor League Baseball.
He crushed OKC’s alltime single season strikeout record within the PCL, too. It was held by Matt Perisho, who struck out 150 in 1999. He’s also had five games with at least 10 strikeouts, tying Jose
De Leon’s mark from 2016. Font also leads the PCL with a 3.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .222 opponent’s average and 11.93 strikeouts per nine innings.
He also struck out 15 on May 15, an OKC record within the PCL.
That all led to Font starting the Triple-A All-Star Game for the PCL. It’s also likely he’s promoted to the majors for the first time when rosters expand in September.
Alex Verdugo is getting his chance.
Oklahoma City’s star outfield prospect is being promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career Friday morning, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters Thursday.
Verdugo, 21, has been dynamic this season. He entered Thursday with a .314 average, .389 on-base percentage and just 50 strikeouts to 52 walks.
He’s regarded as an advanced hitter who can use the opposite field. He’s capable of playing any outfield position.
The Dodgers recently optioned center fielder Joc
Pederson, who has struggled nearly all season, to OKC. Roberts said Thursday that Pederson will remain with OKC until its season finishes.
New Orleans trims Dodgers
Cal Towey and Eury Perez had three hits each to lift New Orleans past Oklahoma City 3-2 on Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. It was the Dodgers’ final home game of the season.
Tim Locastro and Henry Ramos combined for five of Oklahoma City’s six hits. Ramos hit his third home run of the season for the Dodgers (71-66), who begin a seasonending series on Friday night at Round Rock.
Dodgers donate raffle proceeds to Harvey relief
The Oklahoma City Dodgers are aiming to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The team announced Thursday morning that Thursday night’s 50/50 raffle proceeds (50 percent) will be donated directly to the American Red Cross. The remaining money was awarded to a fan in attendance as usual.
The amount gathered through the raffle will be matched by Minor League Baseball Charities up to $10,000.
“Our hearts are heavy as the events of Harvey impact so many people in south Texas and Louisiana,” OKC Dodgers team president and general manager Michael Byrnes said in a release. “We are taking part in Minor League Baseball’s collective efforts to assist those impacted. In recent years, our community has been on the receiving end of the quick action of minor league baseball teams around the country rallying their local community to support local tragedies. We want to use the platform of our game to bring attention to the needs of the Red Cross.”