Emilio Bonifacio ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks
organization in the
FutureBacks Top 50 Prospects List that debuted April 1st. His main
asset is his speed, and he was struggling to develop a swing that would put the
ball in play consistently for him to utilize that asset.
Jon Rauch took over for Chad Cordero when the Nationals' closer was sidelined
with a torn right labrum on April 30th.
"Jon Rauch is a proven late-game reliever who we control through 2010," Josh Byrnes said. "We are pleased to add him as we attempt to defend our division title."
Rauch, 29, went 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA (16 ER in 48.1 IP) and 17 saves in 48 games out of the bullpen for the Nationals this season, walking seven and striking out 44. He is tied for 10th in the National League with 17 saves and has finished 41 games, third in the NL. Rauch's 6.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the fourth-best in the
majors.
Rauch has been with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals since being acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on July 18, 2004. For his career, Rauch has appeared in 255 games, going 24-17 with a 3.63 ERA (128 ER in 317.2 IP) with 37 saves over parts of six Major League seasons. At 6-foot-11, Rauch is the tallest pitcher in
major league history, having trumped new teammate Randy Johnson when making his debut for the White Sox on April 2, 2002 at Seattle.
Bonifacio, 23, has appeared in eight games this season for the D-backs, batting .167 (2-for-12) with three runs scored, a double and two RBI. He played in 85 games for Tucson (AAA) before being recalled on July 4, batting .302 (111-for-367) with 49 runs scored, 18 doubles, five triples, a home run, 29 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Bonifacio was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team and was named to the World Team in the Major League Baseball Futures Game.
Emilio Bonifacio
Prospect Profile
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