Kratz promoted to Triple-A
June 19, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH- Catcher Erik Kratz was promoted from the Fisher Cats to the Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs today. Right-handed pitcher Paul Phillips joins the Fisher Cats from Low-A Lansing to take his place on New Hampshire's roster. Also, catcher Jeff Urgelles was added back to the Fisher Cats roster one day after getting transferred to Low-A Lansing in a paper move. He takes the place of outfielder Maikel Jova, who was added to New Hampshire's roster for one day yesterday in a paper move.
The 26-year-old Kratz has been with the Fisher Cats all season and was hitting .236 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 41 games. He also spent all of 2005 with New Hampshire, hitting .205 with 11 homers and 34 RBI. Last season he was named the top defensive catcher in the Eastern League. He even worked an inning on the mound June 18 vs. Portland, allowing three runs on four hits in the ninth inning as he was called upon to help get the bullpen some rest. He was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2002 draft out of Eastern Mennonite University.
The 22-year-old Phillips began this season with the Low-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he went 4-1 with 11 saves and a 1.50 ERA in 22 relief appearances. He had 29 strikeouts and ten walks in 30 innings pitched. He makes the jump straight to New Hampshire in just his second pro season as he was selected by the Blue Jays in the ninth round of the 2005 draft out of Oakland University and played last year with the Short-Season-A Auburn Doubledays, going 2-1 with 13 saves and a 2.29 ERA in 26 games.
The 24-year-old Urgelles joined the Fisher Cats from extended spring training on June 7 and has played in just two games, making no starts. He was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 26th round of the 2003 draft out of Savannah State University.
The 25-year-old Jova began this season with New Hampshire and hit .192 with 14 RBI in 31 games before getting called to Syracuse on June 3. He has played in just seven games with the SkyChiefs, hitting .227 (5-for-22). He was signed by the Blue Jays as a non-drafted free agent out of Cuba on August 21, 1999.
The Fisher Cats begin a four game series with the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) in Trenton, NJ tonight at 7:05 PM. The team returns home next on Tuesday, June 27 at 6:35 PM to take on the Thunder. For tickets or information call (603) 641-2005 or visit nhfishercats.com.
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