Aug. 1, 2005
Former UCF All-American pitcher Kyle Bono was part of a three-player trade that sent Jose Cruz, Jr. to the Boston Red Sox while Bono and another minor leaguer were sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Bono, 22, signed last year for $432,000, a record bonus (since broken) for an eighth-rounder. According to Baseball America, Bono doesn't have a single dominant pitch, but he keeps hitters off balance by mixing his sinker, changeup and slider. Projected as a reliever, he pitched in that role at high Class A Wilmington this year, going 2-2, 4.07 in 24 games. He had a 56-32 strikeout-walk ratio in 49 innings, while opponents hit .222 with five homers against him.
Bono will report to the Lancaster JetHawks, in the Class A California League. Bono will play in the same league with former UCF teammate Clay Timpner, who is a member of the San Jose Giants.