Bags Make Deal; Ship Roghi Off to Vista

In 2010 Jersey scouts searching through Europe came across young men on a semi-pro Italian team warming up and saw a big kid who threw hard.  They decided to stay and watch as the 6'3" dark haired Italian kid marvel the opponents with a fastball that touched 97 and devastating, yet a tab uncontrollable sinker.  Not 3 weeks later the Jersey Shore D-Bags had signed the kid and he was pitching in A ball affiliate Gainesville.  His name was Ciro Roghi, a left handed reliever from Rome. It only took 2 years for the kid to find his way to the Jersey Shore and insert himself as a main cog in the Jersey bullpen.  An ERA of 2.90 in his rookie season in 77 innings turned some heads, but it really was the 1.95 ERA and 61 K's in 55 IP that got peoples attention.  

Roghi

This current season, the now 26 year old, had lofty expectations. He struggled out of the gate and never really turned in around.  Through the middle of June he had an ERA of 4.56 and had walked batters at a much higher rate than previously.  The team announced on 6/15 that Roghi had been traded to Vista.

This is when the reports started to come out.  Many players mentioned he had been sluggish in many appearances this year.  Not all there.  Tired.  Words like this being thrown around.  After Jersey personnel looked into this more, they found out why.  On night's after many home games, Roghi was seen jumping into his sports car and racing up the coast, through the Holland Tunnel into Manhatten, NY, then all the way into Little Italy.  Usually staying late and coming home in the wee hours of the morning, even on game days.  

When confronted, Roghi denied at first, but when photos were shown he came clean.  In a quote, "I miss my home cooking!  Jersey food is terrible, I want an Italian meal!!!!"  On Roghi's player card, his weight is listed at 225, which teammates think is laughable.  According to them he comes in AT LEAST 240.  I guess that chicken parm does add weight huh?  Roghi wasn't too pleased with his new destination of Vista, quoting California pizza is the biggest sham out there, but Jersey brass thinks it will work well for them and a Vista team in need of a hard throwing lefty in their pen.

In exchange for Roghi the Bags picked up some quality pieces. The first peice being OF Ken Taylor. Taylor is a 26 year old power hitting left hander with limited time in the big leagues. Last season combined in AA and AAA he hit 40 HR and drove in 98.  He won't hit for average, but loves pounding balls to the gap and over the fence.  This season in 27 games for Vista, he has 8 2B and 4 HR.  GM Josh Swain says he has had his eye on Taylor for awhile, and even acknowledged having conversations about him with GM Travis Hayes in the off season.  He plans to get AB's against RHP for a Jersey OF that has been less than spectacular.

Taylor

Also coming over in the trade is 19 year old MR Luis "Bugs" Cortez.  Cortez was found in Chile last season when scouts noticed a 6'7" kid pound the strike zone over and over.  Ticket to the BSA.  Cortez is a hard worker and was known by his HS coach as a true team leader.  Pitching in Chula Vista this year in 19 games, Cortez has a 1.66 ERA. 0.69 WHIP, only allowing 11 hits in 21+ innings.  Though he is young, he does have a nice upside.  He will report to Gainsville where he should move into the closers spot.  

Cortez

GM Josh Swain wants it to be noted that this trade is in no way "conceding," even though the Bags sit back almost 10 games in the division.  

Here's to Taylor bombing some into the Ocean and Cortez working his way through the system and one day being part of the lethal Jersey bullpen

GO D-BAGS