AirHogs Reliever Going to the Phillies
The Grand Prairie AirHogs' bullpen suffered a blow on Thursday, albeit one the team can be proud of, as set-up man Dustin Cameron was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies organization, the third AirHogs pitcher who has signed elsewhere during the 2011 season.
The durable righthander was having another excellent season, with a team-best 1.30 ERA in 28 appearances (tying him with his teammate Jon Hunton for the league lead in appearances). He has 22 strikeouts against seven walks in 27 2/3 innings, having allowed only four earned runs.
Getting a chance to play in affiliated ball during the season for the first time, Cameron will report to high single-A Clearwater in the Florida State League.
"It's been great to have Dustin this year, and we all wish him the best of luck with the Phillies," AirHogs manager Ricky VanAsselberg said. "While it's tough for us to lose someone of his caliber off the back end of the bullpen, he deserves this chance and I know he'll make the most of it."
In his career, the native of Allen, Texas, has not had an ERA over 3.21 since a 3.86 in his rookie year of 2006. After spending two years in El Paso, Cameron split 2008 between New Jersey of the Can-Am League and Pensacola of the American Association.
After getting a chance in Spring Training with the Phillies in 2009, Cameron spent 2009 and most of 2010 as the closer for the Fort Worth Cats, before being traded late last year to try to help Wichita make a playoff push. Coming into this season, the 29-year-old has a 16-16 record with 48 saves, and an ERA of 3.11. He averages nearly 38 appearances per year, with 230 hits in 240 1/3 career innings.
Cameron joins pitchers Scot Drucker (Taiwan) and Greg Smith (Yankees) to have been picked up by other organizations this season.
