Flyers sign 2003 NL All-Star Mark Prior

Big news today as former Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior is IN THE HOUSE. Wearing No. 24, Prior is on hand and expected to pitch in the second game of the doubleheader against the Victoria Seals. Here's the official release:

FULLERTON, Calif. (August 3, 2010) – The Orange County Flyers have signed former National League All-Star pitcher Mark Prior to strengthen the bullpen during the second half of the Golden Baseball League season. Prior, who worked out for Flyers manager Paul Abbott before Saturday’s game in Fullerton, spent five years in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006 after a standout collegiate career as at USC. The pitcher is in uniform today and is expected to make his first appearance with the Flyers in the second game of today’s doubleheader against the Victoria Seals at Fullerton College.

The Cubs made Prior, 29, the second overall selection of the 2001 draft behind Minnesota’s Joe Mauer. Through his five years in the big leagues, Prior racked up 757 strikeouts over 657 innings, going 42-29 with a 3.51 career earned run average in 106 starts. In 2003, the right-hander started 30 games for the Cubs, going 18-6 with a career-best 2.43 ERA and earned a spot on the National League All-Star team. That season Prior tossed three complete games, struck out 245 batters over 211 and 1/3 innings of work, and was twice named the NL Pitcher of the Month in August and September. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2003.

“I think it’s great,” said Abbott. “We’re getting a big league former star to come play for us. He’s going to bring a lot to the table, his pitching and his professionalism. It’s not fun to go through what he went through with his shoulder and surgeries, but he’s going to test it out and test it out for us, so I’m excited.”

Before becoming a Major League All-Star, Prior dominated the Pac-10 at the University of Southern California, going 25-7 with a 2.56 ERA from 2000-2001. The Trojan was named an All-American first team pitcher in 2001 and won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player.

“I want to get back out there and get some competitive games under my belt,” said Prior. “It’s been a few years with a couple shoulder surgeries. I finally feel that I’m at a point now that I can go out, compete and get guys out, so that’s the first step.”

Abbott says Prior will come out of the bullpen to serve as a set up man for the Flyers’ closer Andre Simpson, filling the role and the roster spot vacated by Mike Koons who was sent to the Victoria Seals to complete a pre-season trade for former CSUF Titan Sergio Pedroza.

“When Mark was working toward pitching competitively again, because of the timing of being late in the year, this probably presented the best situation,” said Prior’s agent John Boggs whose son Steve is the Flyers’ centerfielder and leadoff hitter. “The Flyers are a first class organization. I know my son Steve loves playing for them. And at the end of the day, it’s the fact that the manager is a former major league pitcher in Paul Abbott. He knows how to handle his staff and would know how to handle Mark. Mark is very comfortable with the situation, so hopefully he’s going to produce, and this will be the next phase of his comeback.”

The San Diego native joins the Orange County Flyers as the team has pulled into first place in the GBL South Division in the second half of the season. Orange County is working to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the team’s championship run in 2008.