Beach Bums Sign Former Padres Prospect Mike Epping

January 21, 2008 - Frontier League (FL)
Oakland County Cruisers News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City Beach Bums have announced the signing of outfielder Mike Epping to a 2008 contract.

Epping was selected in the 13th round of the 2006 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres and his first assignment was with the short season-A Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League. Epping hit .265 in 68 games that season, with 16 doubles, 3 home runs, and 17 stolen bases while leading the league in runs scored (53) and finishing fourth in walks (34).

Last season, Epping took a wild ride through the Padres system - he started the year in extended spring training and finished the year as the center fielder for the Portland Beavers, the Padres triple-A affiliate and one step below the Major Leagues. Epping's first assignment after being in extended spring training was with the class low-A Fort Wayne Wizards of the Midwest League. In 34 games in Fort Wayne Epping hit .217 in 115 at-bats with 8 doubles, 4 home runs, 17 runs, 15 RBI, and 5 stolen bases. His play earned him a promotion to the class high-A Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League, however, Epping only played in two games before being promoted all the way to the class triple-A Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. Epping played well in his 25 game stint in Portland, hitting .263 with a home run in his first 13 games before hitting a cold streak to end the season.

Epping is a 5'11" 190-pound native of Oklahoma City and played his college ball at the University of New Orleans. His senior season at New Orleans he was a 2nd Team All-American in NCAA DI while ranking 3rd nationally in stolen bases (42) and 23rd in batting average (.400). Epping's incredible season also included 12 doubles, 8 home runs, 56 runs, and 58 RBI.

Epping, who has great range in the outfield, is expected to step in as the Beach Bums' everyday center fielder and hit in the top third of the order. In addition to the quality of his work on the field, Epping was also recognized for his work off the field, earning the Padres' Community Involvement Award in 2007 for helping out with local Little Leagues in the Fort Wayne area.

"Mike Epping is an exceptional signing for us," said Beach Bums' Director of Baseball Operations and Hitting Coach Jason Wuerfel. "His numbers, accolades, and experience speak for themselves. He can run the ball down in the outfield, he can handle the bat, and he can terrorize opposing teams on the bases. We are very excited to get him in a Beach Bums' uniform in 2008."



Frontier League Stories from January 21, 2008


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