News

JUNE 7, 2012

REDHAWKS SIGN PEDROZA, TRADE FOR ZENKO

Cruz Traded to El Paso, Cusick Goes to New Jersey

FARGO, ND – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks made a series of roster moves on Thursday ahead of the final game of a four-game series against the Kansas City T-Bones at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks have signed veteran OF Sergio Pedroza to a contract, traded 3B Enrique Cruz to the El Paso Diablos for a player to be named later and acquired RHP Mike Zenko from the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League for INF Matt Cusick.  Both Pedroza and Zenko are expected to be in uniform tonight against Kansas City.

Pedroza, 28, began this season with the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins in the Pacific Coast League.  He appeared in 28 games and batted .106 with two doubles, two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored.

Pedroza was a 3^rd round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 out of Cal State Fullerton.  He has put up double-digit home runs totals in five of his seven years of professional baseball, including a career-high 28 in 2006. 

Pedroza spent the 2009 and 2010 sesaons in the independent Golden Baseball League.  He clubbed 20 home runs between Victoria and Calgary in 2009 and hit 14 home runs while playing for Orange County.  He is a career .280 hitter with 112 home runs and 424 RBIs in 624 games.

Zenko, 25, is in his third season of professional baseball.  With New Jersey this year, Zenko was 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a save in five games.  He has pitched 5.0 innings, allowed one run on five hits and has struck out four batters.

Zenko pitched in 2011 with the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League, where he was 6-2 with a 1.61 ERA and seven saves in 34 games.  He pitched 50.1 innings and allowed 12 runs (nine earned) on 40 hits.  He struck out 53 batters and walked 16.

Zenko began his professional career in 2010 with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League, where he was 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 games (two starts).  He struck out 26 batters and allowed 31 hits in 30.1 innings pitched.

“We needed to change our look and hopefully Pedroza and Zenko can come in and be contributors for us,” said RedHawks manager Doug Simunic.  “Both guys have good track records and we think they can give us a boost.”

Cruz heads to El Paso after hitting .215 with five doubles and 12 RBIs in 19 games for Fargo-Moorhead.  Cusick, who the RedHawks claimed off waivers from Winnipeg last weekend, did not appear in a game for Fargo-Moorhead.