Reliever Tayler Scott promoted to Double-A Tennessee

WOODBRIDGE, VA. (MAY 30, 2015) - The Chicago Cubs promoted Myrtle Beach Pelicans relief pitcher Tayler Scott to Double-A Tennessee on Saturday. In a corresponding roster move, right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz will join the Pelicans from Tennessee.

The call up comes two days before Scott's twenty-third birthday. At the time of his promotion, he was 2-2 in 11 appearances, pitching to a 1.96 ERA across 23 innings with the Pelicans. A six-foot, three-inch right-hander, Scott struck out 27 batters while walking just six along with two saves in three save chances. The native of Johannesburg, South Africa, also made one spot start in a home game against the Salem Red Sox on May 6. He threw three frames in that game, giving up an earned run on a home run while striking out five batters in a no decision. In his last five outings from the bullpen, Scott carries a 1.58 ERA over 11 1/3 innings pitched, allowing seven hits and a pair of earned runs while striking out 10 and allowing just one walk.

Scott also ranks among the Carolina League leaders for qualifying relievers in three categories. His .197 opponent batting average is the fifth-lowest in the circuit, and he allows the third-lowest total baserunners with an average of 9.00 per nine innings pitched. Scott also averages 9.90 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, the third-best mark in the league.

The Cubs selected Scott in the fifth round of the 2011 draft out of Notre Dame Prep High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cruz, 25, was 1-0 in 11 bullpen appearances with the Smokies, carrying a 5.23 ERA with one save in three chances. In 20 2/3 innings of work, he struck out 22 while walking 11. Originally selected as a shortstop by the Kansas City Royals out of Puerto Rico Advancement College in the sixth round of the 2007 draft, he converted to pitching during 2011 season. The Royals released him in 2012, but he later signed a one year minor league contract with Cubs on December 19, 2014. He pitched in the Puerto Rican Winter League from 2008-2014 for three different teams but has not pitched in affiliated Minor League Baseball since 2012.

Scott is the seventh Pelicans player to be promoted to Double-A this season and the fourth pitcher. In order of promotion date, Starling Peralta, Matt Brazis, Jacob Hannemann, Gerardo Concepcion, Wes Darvill, and Billy McKinney.

The Pelicans are back in action Saturday against the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium on at 6:35 p.m. ET.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.