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Tanner Witt Purchased by Cubs

March 16, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release


ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford Aviators are proud to announce that reigning Frontier League Rookie of the Year, Tanner Witt, has been purchased by the Chicago Cubs.

An undrafted product of Kansas State University, Witt stepped in and made an immediate impact for the Aviators as a utility player. Not only did he shine at the plate with two separate sixteen-game hit streaks that resulted in a .305 batting average with four home runs and 39 RBIs, but he also played every position on the field except catcher at some point during the season.

"We are very happy for Tanner," said Aviators Manager, James Frisbie. "He is just a really good baseball player and we wish him nothing but the best."

Much of Witt's success came in the second half of the season.

Prior to the All-Star break, Witt was hitting .266 at the plate with one home run. In the second half of the season, his average reached as high as .312 and he added three more home runs from the leadoff spot in the lineup.

He credits much of his success to former Aviators hitting coach, Pat O'Sullivan.

"Yea, I didn't decide to play until right before the season started so the first time I swung a bat was in Spring Training," Witt said in a 2014 interview. "Sully just helped me and kept working with me whenever I needed extra swings he was always there and has been a big help in my success."

With the purchase of his contract, Witt becomes the fifth member of the 2014 Aviators to be picked up and joins a growing list of former Aviators playing for Major League organizations.

Witt will join position players Jose Martinez (Kansas City), Javier Herrera (San Francisco), and Edgar Corcino (Minnesota) along with pitchers Drew Rucinski (Los Angeles Angels), Kyle Schepel (Arizona), Joey Wagman (Oakland), Brad Allen and Mike Lee (Toronto) in Spring Training with their respective clubs,

Although Major League teams have started Spring Training, Witt will be assigned to the Cubs Minor League camp in Mesa, Arizona. He will train with Cubs players who will be assigned to all different levels of their Minor League system.

The Aviators open their 2015 campaign on the road against the Gateway Grizzlies on Friday, May 15 at 7:05 p.m. Opening Day at Aviators Stadium will be Tuesday, May 19 at 6:35 p.m. as the Aviators host the Traverse City Beach Bums.

For the most up-to-date information on everything Rockford Aviators or to purchase tickets to an upcoming game, visit www.rockfordaviators.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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