With less than two weeks before the 2015 American Association season gets underway, the Joplin Blasters spent April making several key tweaks to the club’s roster. Manager Carlos Lezcano has proven to be a master puzzle maker, piecing together the right blend of players to put the Blasters in a position to battle for the South Division title.

Key Transactions

On April 13, the Joplin Blasters signed OF Jesus Solorzano and RHP Raydel Sanchez. RHP Justin Kuks was also released by the club. Solorzano enters his seventh season in professional baseball in 2015. He had been a Miami Marlins prospect since 2009, and has played some time in the Venezuelan Winter League the last four years as well. Last season he played for the organization’s High-A club at Jupiter. In 85 games he hit .233 with 3 homers and 19 RBI. He also stole 18 bases.

Sanchez was drafted in 2011 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season he played for AA-Chattanooga. In 16 games, 13 of which were starts, he was 2-6 with a 5.82 ERA.

One day later, LHP Frank Del Valle signed with San Quintin of the Mexican League. Del Valle was with Wichita last season. He had been acquired by the Blasters on October 28 after going 1-1 last season with a 5.70 ERA.

On April 17, Joplin made two moves. RHP Nestor Molina was signed to a deal. The right-hander will be entering his ninth season of professional baseball in 2015. Last season he pitched for the Chicago White Sox AA club in Birmingham where he was 7-4 with a 4.55 ERA in 44 appearances. Molina also pitched for Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League in 2014. He made 13 appearances, 11 starts, where he was 4-4 with a 4.44 ERA.

Infielder Tyler Sciacca was acquired from Schaumburg of the Frontier League. This year will be his second professional season. Last year he appeared in 54 games, hitting an impressive .337 with a homer and 26 RBI. He added an outstanding .382 on-base percentage.

By Robert Pannier