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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Former catcher promoted to bolster Swing bullpen

August 10, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Catcher-turned-pitcher Jason Motte will continue his transformation in the Midwest League, as the hurler has been promoted to Quad Cities, the Swing of the Quad Cities announced on Thursday. In a corresponding move, RHP Ashley Hooks has been transferred to the State College Spikes of the New York-Penn League.

A 19th round selection by the Cardinals in the 2003 draft out of Iona College, Motte spent the first three years of his professional career and the first month of the 2006 season as a catcher. But after hitting a combined .190 while racking up 160 assists in 181 games as a backstop, the 24-year-old headed to extended spring training in early May in order to be converted into a pitcher. The hard-throwing right-hander opened the New York-Penn League season with State College, where he went 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA, eight saves, and 25 strikeouts in 26.1 innings of work.

In order to make room for Motte on the active roster, reliever Ashley Hooks has been transferred from Quad Cities to State College. The 23-year-old native of Swainsboro, Georgia, was called up to the Midwest League on April 25, going 3-2 with a 5.63 ERA in 20 relief appearances for the Swing. After putting up a 1.59 ERA during the month of May, he was tagged for a 7.71 clip in June before that number ballooned to 10.80 in July. Hooks has allowed 12 earned runs over his last three outings.

The Swing of the Quad Cities roster currently stands at 25 active players, the maximum allowed by the Midwest League. An updated roster accompanies this release.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will welcome the West Michigan Whitecaps to town Thursday night, as LHP Adam Daniels (7-8, 2.82) will get the start against RHP Burke Badenhop (11-2, 2.92). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 6:45 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Thursday will be a Pluckers/97 Rock Thirsty Thursday. If you like free T-shirts, come to the ballpark early on Friday, August 11, to take advantage of an i-wireless/KWQC/River 104.9 giveaway. The best promotion of the bunch might be on Saturday, August 12, when the first 500 fans will receive baseballs autographed by past and present major leaguers as well as Swing players. The team will also be wearing St. Louis Cardinals' jerseys during the game, and the uniform tops will be available through live and silent auctions both during and after the contest. A KWQC/WKBF fireworks show will follow the game. Bring your pups out to the homestand finale on Sunday, August 13, which will be Dog Day sponsored by Happy Dog Bakery as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day and DHCU Customer Appreciation Day.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2006


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