Akashian Back Behind The Plate For Southern Illinois
Published on January 14, 2010 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have announced that catcher Brendan Akashian will return to the Miners for the 2010 season after spending 2009 with the Philadelphia Phillies single-A affiliate in Lakewood, N.J.
The left-handed hitting catcher led the Frontier League in on-base percentage in 2008 with a.442 mark as he helped the Miners to a playoff berth. He joined the team in June 2008 following his college career at Holy Cross University and made an immediate impact. In 69 games with the Miners in 2008 he hit.302 with 13 doubles, a triple and a home run. His.302 average ranked in the top 20 and third best among rookies in the league.
Akashian signed with the Phillies just before spring training in 2009 but saw very limited action. In only 24 games he saw 54 at-bats and hit.204. However he still managed to draw more walks (18) than strikeouts (14) and posted an impressive.442 on-base percentage as his Lakewood Blue Claws won the 2009 South Atlantic League Championship.
"I was disappointed to watch last year as Brendan really didn't get a fair chance to show his talent in an organization," Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. "Brendan brings an awful lot to the baseball field. He did an exceptional job as a receiver for us and we watched how our ERA improved dramatically with him behind the plate in '08. Our pitchers loved throwing to him. He had a very good feel for pitch selection for a pitching staff that was number two in the league. His feel for the strike zone as a hitter had him as the top on-base player in the league while hitting.300 as a rookie. Brendan plays the game with a high level of intensity, and it rubs off on the players around him."
Akashian will turn 25 two days before the Miners open the season on May 20 at home against River City. For a complete schedule and the latest news on the Miners and events at Rent One Park, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from January 14, 2010
- Grizzlies Announce Partnership With Grand Slam Sports - Gateway Grizzlies
- Otters Add Another To Roster - Evansville Otters
- Akashian Back Behind The Plate For Southern Illinois - Southern Illinois Miners
- Pair of Windy City Thunderbolts Join Affiliated Clubs - Windy City ThunderBolts
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