MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Decorated Big Ten Collegian And Another Arm Arrive For Stretch Run

Published on August 25, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the Oakland Athletics, have announced that IF Jason Christian and LHP Ben Hornbeck have been transferred to Kane County from Short-A Vancouver. Both players leave Vancouver and will arrive in Chicago this afternoon before joining their new teammates to open a four-game series at Beloit. The Cougars' active roster increases to 24 players as just eight games remain on the 2008 regular season schedule - four on the road (August 25-28 at Beloit) and four at home (August 29-September 1 vs. Peoria).

With the addition of Christian, a 5th round selection, the Cougars have now received each of the top five Oakland picks from this past June's draft. This marks the first time since Kane County became an A's affiliate in 2003 that the first five Oakland draftees have all made appearances with the Cougars during their first professional season.

Christian, a three-year collegiate player at the University of Michigan, was the 154th overall selection by the A's and contributed to the Wolverines winning three straight Big Ten titles during his career (2006-08). The Ohio native posted his best offensive season as a junior this past spring, notching career highs in batting average (.330), triples (6), RBI (48), on-base percentage (.445) and walks (39). An All-Big Ten first team shortstop and an NCAA Regional all-tournament selection, Christian reached base safely in 32 of his final 34 games this spring before the Wolverines fell to Kentucky in the NCAA Regional.

Upon signing with the A's in June, Christian began his pro career with Vancouver and assumed the role of everyday shortstop. In 62 games, Christian batted .291 with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs in 213 at-bats, the second-most plate appearances on the Canadians roster. Having played predominately at shortstop through his collegiate and professional career, Christian had recently been seeing action at second base for Vancouver.

Hornbeck, a 32nd round selection by the A's, also comes to the Cougars by way of Vancouver. In 18 relief appearances for the Canadians, Hornbeck was 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA and one save. The left-handed pitcher played collegiately for three seasons at Kansas State University, going 6-4 from the bump with a 4.69 ERA in 47 career appearances for the Wildcats, including 13 starts. In 2006 as a freshman, Hornbeck became just the second Kansas State player ever to be named a freshman All-American, being selected a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American after posting a strong freshman campaign (3-1, 1.24 ERA). A native Arizonan, Hornbeck was drafted out of high school by the Phillies in 2005 but did not sign. One of Hornbeck's teammates at Kansas State was Justin Murray, another '08 Oakland draftee (29th Rd.) who currently pitches for Double-A Midland.

The Cougars (30-32) embark upon their final road series of the season as the squad travels north to face the Beloit Snappers. Jamie Richmond (7-10, 4.67) opposes Steven Hirschfield (10-4, 3.43) at 7 p.m.

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Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2008


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