GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – The Lincoln Saltdogs were busy with roster moves of the 4th of July holiday weekend. On July 3rd, the Lincoln Saltdogs announced that they completed a trade with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to send infielder Trever Adams to Fargo in exchange for left-handed pitcher Cesilio Pimentel. They also signed infielder Nathaniel Maggio to his first professional contract.
Pimentel, from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, was 5-1 with a 3.37 ERA over six starts for the RedHawks. He was superb in his first five starts, earning the win in each game and allowing just eight runs over the contests. He was charged with the loss on June 15th against the Saltdogs after giving up six earned runs in five innings. That was his last start before going to the Disabled List in Fargo.
The left-hander 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.
Pimentel won American Association Pitcher of the Week honors in the first week of the 2017 season. He won his only start that week at Texas by throwing eight scoreless innings while striking out eight batters. He didn’t issue a walk and allowed just three hits.
Cesilio Pimentel is not related to Carlos Pimentel, a pitcher from the Dominican Republic who is already on the Saltdogs roster.
Adams played 39 games for the Saltdogs after coming over in a trade with St. Paul in the offseason. He hit .243 and tied for the team-lead with eight home runs. He was leading the league with 52 strikeouts at the time of the trade. The utility player went to Lincoln Southeast High School and Creighton University.
Maggio, who filled the roster spot of RHP Ben McKendall who was released on July 2nd, was playing for Top Speed in the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League. He hit .416 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs over 26 games before leaving to join the Saltdogs.
Maggio spent two seasons at the University of Tennessee before finishing his final two college years at North Greenville University.
The first/third baseman hit .324 with 76 RBIs in 48 games his junior year at NGU. He set the Crusaders’ single-season home run record with 17 long balls. The lefty also tallied 20 doubles to help post an outstanding .714 slugging percentage.
Maggio hit .239 and .235 in a combined 77 games over his two seasons at Tennessee. He compiled three home runs and 27 RBIs for the Volunteers.
The Georgian was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2013 draft by the Seattle Mariners. He went to Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, GA where he was rated as the 15th best prospect in the state by Perfect Game. He started all four years in high school and posted a .390 average with 35 RBIs as a senior.
The Saltdogs (25-18) face the Texas AirHogs (15-30) in a rubber match in Grand Prairie tonight. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
The Saltdogs return home to face the Salina Stockade on Tuesday, July 11th. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.