JackHammers sign four new players

August 5, 2005 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


JOLIET, IL - The Joliet JackHammers announced today the signing of four new players. The list includes three infielders and a right-handed pitcher. Eric Blakeley as well as brothers Jose and Eddie Amado are the infielders while Justin Sobchuk is the newest member of the JackHammers pitching staff.

Jose Amado is a veteran infielder who brings a proven bat in the middle of the JackHammers lineup. Amado last played for Cancun of the Mexican League (AAA) from April to June of 2005. While playing for Cancun, Jose hit .371 (63-170) with fourteen doubles, three homers and thirty-five RBI. Amado showed some great versatility in 2005, played thirty-two games at first base, seven games at third base, five games at designated hitter, three games in left field and one game at shortstop. He is a career .304 batter with 93 home runs and 629 RBI in his twelve professional seasons. Amado spent the first nine of those twelve seasons in affiliated ball with the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds. His last three seasons have been in Bridgeport of the Atlantic League.

Eddie Amado is the brother of Jose Amado, giving the franchise their first pair of siblings as new members of the JackHammers. Amado, an infielder, has not played in the United States in several years so therefore not much is known about his career. He has spent the last few years playing out of the country.

Blakeley was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 21st round of the 2002 June draft. His last three seasons have been spent in both rookie and A ball in the Seattle minor league system. The twenty-five year old infielder began this year in AA with the San Antonio Missions of the Texas League. Eric was there from April 7 through April 22. From April 23 through May 23 he played for the Island Empire 66ers of the California League. From May 28 till June 1, he was in AAA for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League. Blakeley finished up his season from June 4 to June 30 back in San Antonio. His best season came in 2003 with Everett of the North West League, a season where he hit .303 (59-195) with nine doubles, three home runs and twenty-four RBI. He also stole thirteen bases in fifteen attempts. Eric is a career .285 hitter (152-533) with nine home runs and fifty-seven RBI in three seasons.

Sobchuk is a player with an interesting story, as he has not played professionally since 2001 in the Oakland Athletics organization. He last pitched in Vancouver of the North West League. Justin has a career record of 6-7 with a 6.45 ERA in forty-six appearances that includes sixteen starts. The right-hander has tossed nearly one hundred nineteen career innings totaling one hundred strikeouts and only sixty-nine walks. He was originally drafted in the 10th round of the 1999 June draft by the Athletics.

To make room for the four new faces in the clubhouse, Joliet placed IF Matt Howe, OF Jim Kavourias and RHP Steve Nielsen on irrevocable waivers for purpose of giving them their unconditional release.

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers return to Silver Cross Field on Friday August 5th to begin a three game series with the Kansas City T-Bones. Friday will also feature post game fireworks courtesy of 98.3 WCCQ. On Saturday Aramark presents Airwave Dave and that 70's night. The home stand concludes on Sunday with the team's baseball card set giveaway brought to you by the Herald News and 100.7 RXQ.



Northern League Stories from August 5, 2005


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