GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats made their first major move of the offseason Tuesday, signing former Indiana University standout Zach McClellan - a right-hander who pitched in 12 games for the 2007 Colorado Rockies - to a contract for the 2010 season.McClellan, 30, made his major league debut on April 17, 2007 at Coors Field and would work out of the Colorado bullpen for the next month before his season was derailed by an injury. McClellan did not allow a run in eight of his 12 major league outings and picked up his first big league win over the St. Louis Cardinals on the road at Busch Stadium May 7. McClellan struck out 13 in 14.0 innings that summer and issued only three un-intentional walks for a Rockies team that would eventually claim the National League pennant.
McClellan injured his shoulder in mid-May 2007 and then compounded that with a knee injury in Spring Training the next year, not returning to a professional mound until August 2008. The right-hander pitched in six minor league games in 2008 and did not play professionally in 2009.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, McClellan was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round of the 2000 Major League Entry Draft, making his professional debut later that season. McClellan had a breakout 2003 campaign at High-A Wilmington, making 23 starts and posting an impressive 2.84 ERA. That season, McClellan allowed only 101 hits in 133.0 innings (.212 average against) and enjoyed his first 100 strikeout year.
Early in the 2004 season, McClellan was traded to the Rockies in exchange for major league reliever Justin Huisman. McClellan was a starter for the Tulsa Drillers (AA) in 2004 before the Rockies converted the right-hander to a relief role. McClellan came out of the bullpen for Colorado Springs (AAA) the next three seasons and put up good numbers before his major league call-up in 2007.
In nine professional seasons, McClellan has amassed nearly over 750 innings and 35 wins, boasting a 4.05 ERA in 227 minor league outings. McClellan has 110 starts under his belt and boasts an impressive strikeout-walk ratio, racking up 553 whiffs against only 244 walks.
McClellan played three seasons at Indiana, where he was a teammate of former RailCats infielder Eric Blakeley for two years (1999-2000). McClellan tossed five complete games for the Hoosiers in his junior season (2000) and finished his college career with a 16-5 record and 4.58 ERA.
McClellan and the RailCats will begin the 2010 season on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. against the Kansas City T-Bones at U. S. Steel Yard, kicking off the Northern League's brand new 100-game schedule. RailCats mini-plans, flex packs and season tickets are on sale now by calling the 'Cats at 219.882.2255. For more information, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.
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