Canzler Makes MLB Debut With Rays
Canzler, 25, hit .270 with seven homers, 24 doubles and 54 RBI as a corner infielder and corner outfielder with the Chiefs in 2007. In 125 he scored 60 runs and stole 12 bases while collecting 33 extra-base hits. This season he was named the Triple-A International League MVP while hitting .314 with 18 homers, 40 doubles, 83 RBI and 78 runs scored in 131 games for the Durham Bulls. The Bulls won their division before losing to eventual IL Champion Columbus in the first round. Canzler is one of four former Chiefs to play for Durham this season and one of three former Chiefs to make his MLB debut with Tampa Bay.
Canzler hit .287 last season with Double-A Tennessee while clubbing a career-high 21 home runs to go along with 28 doubles and 66 RBI. The Rays signed Canzler as a six-year free agent last winter and then acquired five other former Chiefs in the trade for Matt Garza. Canzler was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 30th round of the 2004 draft out of Hazelton Area High School in Pennsylvania.
With Canzler's addition to a MLB roster, the Chiefs have now had 139 players make it to the Major Leagues. He is the 40th player to play at least one game in the Majors in 2011 and the ninth to debut his season. The other eight who have made their MLB debuts in 2011 are: Al Albuquerque (Det), Tony Campana (Cubs), Chris Carpenter (Cubs), Robinson Chirinos (TB), Brandon Guyer (TB), Erik Hamren (SD), Josh Harrison (Pit), and D.J. LeMahieu (Cubs). Canzler is the sixth player from the 2007 squad to make it to the Majors joining Albuquerque, Jose Ceda, James Russell, Wellington Castillo and Darwin Barney.