Jon Kemmer Heading To Dodgers’ Triple-A Affiliate Oklahoma City (06/25/19)

(Above photo) Jon letting one fly for the Durango Generales

Former Clarion Area Bobcat Jon Kemmer will be coming back to the States, after a deal was finalized today (Tuesday, June 25th) which will send him from the Triple-A Durango Generales of the Mexican Baseball League to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jon said, “Talks started happening Sunday and my agent was able to get a deal done today and I fly out tomorrow to OKC and start playing Thursday! Very excited for the next step in my career!”

Jon’s wife Lauren, who hasn’t gotten to see Jon since April, and her father were scheduled to go to Mexico to be with Jon this week, but in baseball things can change really fast. Lauren in a Facebook post said, “If this isn’t baseball life I don’t know what is….my dad and I were supposed to be flying to Mexico TOMORROW morning to watch Jon Kemmer play for the week but instead WE’RE going to the LA Dodgers baby. He will be starting with their AAA team the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Bring on the next adventure lol.”

The Oklahoma City Dodgers, who play their home games in the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, are members of the Pacific Coast League’s American Southern Division.

The Pacific Coast League has 4 four-team divisions made up of Triple-A affiliates of Major League Clubs: the American Northern, American Southern, Pacific Northern and Pacific Southern. Jon has already played in the Pacific Coast League, as a member of the Fresno Grizzlies in 2017 which at the time were the Houston Astros’ affiliate. Now with the Washington Nationals organization, the Grizzlies lead the Pacific Northern Division.

The first team Jon will face, as he begins at home with Oklahoma City, will be the New Orleans Baby Cakes, the Miami Marlins affiliate.

Jon has turned some great stats, for the Generales this season and recently was a member of the Northern Division Squad in the Mexican League All-Star Game in Mexico City, where he went 1-3 with an RBI.

Some of Jon’s stats on the year, through yesterday (Monday, June 24th) include: 78 hits in 220 at bats, for a .355 average; 21 home runs; 16 doubles; 54 runs scored; .714 slugging percentage; and a 1.168 OPS.

In a press release put out today, the Generales said in part: (Allow for translation differences) “Due to the great performance shown with Durango Generals in the current LMB campaign, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization extended a signature to outfielder Jon Kemmer, who returns to baseball in the United States. 

“Without a doubt, it will be a notable absence in the general squad, but it will be of great importance for Kemmer in his eagerness to reach to play in the Major Leagues.

“The American says goodbye to Generals leaving a great impression on the fans, to which he thanks all the support provided during his stay in Mexico…”

“Today, Kemmer will be present at the Francisco Villa Stadium, to say goodbye to his fans. 

“Now, Generals will be given the task of looking for the replacement that has the quality and the necessary temper, enough to cover the absence of Kemmer.

“The Board of Directors thanks Jon Kemmer for the effort and professionalism shown with the team.”

And if you check out the release on Facebook and see the comments posted, it is plain to see that Jon was a big fan favorite in Durango, and a great ambassador for his home country. And what a great ambassador for his hometown, Clarion, Pennsylvania.

(And Jon we know that you will continue to make us Clarion Proud, as you continue to shine with the Dodgers Organization!!!!)