Punto comes back to Southern California

Nick Punto, a switch-hitting utility infielder who helped lead Saddleback to its best two seasons in school history, has come back to Southern California this weekend as he was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Punto, who prepped at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo, led Saddleback to a 36-10 record in 1997 and a 39-12 record in 1998 along with a pair of back-to-back state championship tournament appearances. He was drafted as a shortstop by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1998 and after three seasons in the majors (2001-2003) battling Jimmy Rollins for playing time knew he should be hoping for a new team. That opportunity came with the Minnesota Twins where he spent the next seven seasons (2004-2010) and helped the Twins reach the post-season four times (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010). He spent the 2011 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping the red birds capture a World Series title. Punto was traded to Boston to start the 2012 season before getting packaged in a multi-player deal last week as one of four Red Sox players sent to the Dodgers.

In his Dodgers debut on Saturday evening (August 25), Punto drew an eighth inning pinch-hit walk and later scored in the Dodgers' 8-2 victory over the Miami Marlins.