6/24 minor maneuverings: Ciaramella to Daytona + more

[Laura]

Thanks, Nathan!

 

Peoria Chiefs press release:

 

The First Half Western Division Champion Peoria Chiefs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced two more player moves before Saturday night’s game in Quad Cities.

 

Catcher Blake Lalli and right-handed pitcher Jon Mueller have joined the team while injured catcher Peter Farina has gone back to extended spring training in Mesa, AZ and outfielder Matt Ciaramella has been promoted to High-A Daytona of the Florida State League.

 

Lalli was signed by the Cubs as a 5th year senior out of Gardner-Webb College prior to this June’s draft. He was on Boise’s opening day roster on Monday and saw action in three of the Hawks first four games going 0-for-7 at the plate. Lalli was All-Atlantic Sun Conference in 2006 and 2005 while batting .389 with 11 homers this season. He set school records this spring in walks and OBP. He bats from the left side and is a native of Gibsonia, PA.

 

Mueller was drafted in the 16th round of last June’s draft but played in the Northwoods Summer League last year and didn’t sign with the Cubs in time to play pro ball in 2005. This season he has already seen action at both AAA and AA in the Cubs organization. He made his pro debut on June 12th in AAA Iowa of the Pacific Coast League. In one outing he allowed two runs and struck out two in 2 2/3 innings of work. He then went to West Tenn where he appeared in four games going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA. In four innings at AA, Mueller stuck out two and walked three. He is a native of La Crosse, WI and was drafted out of the University of Minnesota. In his one season with the Golden Gophers, Mueller was 0-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.

 

Ciaramella began the season with the Chiefs and appeared in 61 of the teams 71 games so far in 2006. The switch hitter saw action at all three outfield spots as well as DH and committed just one error on the season while racking up three outfield assists. The Utah native batted .213 with one homer, five doubles, 20 runs scored and 10 RBI with the Chiefs. He left Peoria Saturday morning and will be in Daytona in time for the Florida State League game tonight.

 

Farina joined the Chiefs on Thursday and was expected to be the backup to Mark Reed for the second half of the season. But an injured ligament in his right thumb forced the Cubs to send him back to extended spring training for more tests and rehab. Mueller and Lalli are expected to meet the team in Davenport, IA in time for Saturday’s 7:00 PM start. The Chiefs roster is two players under the 25 man limit.