The Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of outfielder Carlo Testa from the St. Paul Saints (American Association) on Tuesday. He became just the second member of the 2014 Wichita Wingnuts’ (American Association) squad to be signed by a Major League Baseball organization this off-season, joining right-handed pitcher Chris Peacock who was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in October.
Testa, who will be 28-years-old on Opening Day next season, spent the entire 2014 season playing for the Wichita Wingnuts and batted .338/.398/.521 while hitting ten homers and driving in 58 RBI in 451 plate appearances. He also stole 24 bases in 32 attempts this past season. He was traded to the St. Paul Saints on Sept. 18, along with the reversionary rights to right-handed pitcher Matt Nevarez, to complete an Aug. 22 trade between the Wichita and St. Paul.
The left-handed hitting outfielder was originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He batted .273/.357/.454 while hitting 46 homers and driving in 204 RBI in his five seasons in the Royals’ organization. He reached Double-A before being released by the Royals in June of 2013.
A week after the Royals cut ties with Testa, he signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums (Frontier League). He batted .271/.325/.426 while hitting seven homers and driving in 42 RBI in 306 plate appearances for the Beach Bums to finish his 2013 campaign.
Testa will likely begin the 2015 season in Double-A Mobile. Although he possesses average speed, he is capable of swiping more than a few bases. He also has great instincts in the outfield and an above-average throwing arm. He makes consistent solid contact at the plate as well, which will bode well for him as he tries to move through the Minors.
Anton Joe is an Independent League Baseball Reporter for Baseball Essential. You can follow him on Twitter @AntonJoe_BBE.
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