By Michael Shively, Lincoln Saltdogs Media Relations
Photo Credit: Lincoln Saltdogs/Adam Burmood
LINCOLN, NEB.- The Lincoln Saltdogs and the American Association jointly announced today that the Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Cesilio Pimentel.
Pimentel is the 51st Saltdogs player sold to an MLB organization and the 28th since 2011. He is the second player to be picked up by an affiliated team this season, following RHP Brian McAfee who was signed on Monday, July 31st.
Pimentel was acquired by the Saltdogs in a trade with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on July 3rd. The southpaw was 6-3 with a 3.57 ERA between the two clubs. He was 1-2 with a 3.81 ERA for the Saltdogs. Pimentel made seven appearances out of the bullpen and four starts, including Thursday night, for the Saltdogs. He did not allow a run in his first 12.1 innings for Lincoln. He was the American Association Pitcher of the Week for the first week of the 2017 season after throwing eight shutout innings for the Redhawks. He struck out 31 batters over 30.2 innings for the Saltdogs.
The native of the Dominican Republic spent six seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization before coming to the American Association. He was 14-15 with a 2.96 ERA while reaching as high as High-A Bradenton. He was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the Rule 5 Draft this past winter.
Pimentel will report to Missoula, the D-Backs affiliate in the Pioneer League.
