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SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Bijan Rademacher Named Southern League Player of the Week

April 18, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE - The Southern League announced Monday that Tennessee Smokies outfielder Bijan Rademacher has been named the circuit's Player of the Week for the time period between April 7-17. Rademacher is the first player to win the award this season. Last year, two Smokies' hitters collected the honor - 1B Dan Vogelbach (twice) and C Willson Contreras.

In ten games during the open week of the season, Rademacher batted a Southern League-best .440 (11-25) with six runs scored, two home runs and seven runs batted in. During that span, the 24-year old collected a league-leading .576 on-base percentage and .720 slugging percentage. The left-handed hitter also drew eight walks, which has him tied for third in the circuit.

Over the first few days of the 2016 season, Rademacher has been one of the best hitters in Minor League Baseball. The Anaheim Hills, Calif. native enters today in third in MiLB in on-base percentage (.576), eighth in OPS (1.296) and tied for tenth in batting average (.440).

The former 13th round pick also tops several categories in the Cubs' minor league chain. Rademacher enters tonight's ballgame leading the Chicago system in batting average, on-base percentage and OPS. He is also tied with fellow Smokie infielder Chesny Young for the organization lead in home runs (two).

Rademacher spent all of last season with the Smokies, compiling a .261 average (93-357) with four home runs and 47 RBI. In 2015, the four-year pro collected a career-best in walks (67) and on-base percentage (.379). Rademacher also finished the season on a tear, batting .305 (25-82) with 11 RBI during the month of August. He was selected by the Cubs in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Orange Coast College (Calif.).

Rademacher becomes the first Smokies player to receive weekly honors from the Southern League this season. During last year's campaign, infielder Dan Vogelbach won the first two iterations of the award between April 9-20 and April 20-27, while catcher Willson Contreras collected the honor during the July 27-August 3 span. Right-handed starter Ryan Williams (August 10-17) was the only Tennessee hurler to win SL Pitcher of the Week honors last year.

The Smokies are currently in the midst of a five-game homestand, with the second game of their series against the Montgomery Biscuits set for 7:05 p.m. this evening at Smokies Stadium. Tennessee is expected to give the nod to RHP Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.82), while the Rays's Double-A affiliate is slated to send RHP Jake Faria (0-1, 2.84) to the hill.

It's will be a McGhee-Tyson Aiport Dollar Monday at the ballpark, with fans truly getting the bang for their buck. Hot dogs, popcorn, small Pepsi products and programs will all be on sale for only one dollar each, providing a great value throughout the evening. In addition, kids will be able to run the bases after the game with the Shoney's Kids Run The Bases.

Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages are still available, and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from April 18, 2016


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