KC purchases De Los Santos
Published on January 16, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Kansas City Royals purchased the contract of shortstop Eddy De Los Santos. Twelve JackHammers, who were on the regular season roster in each of the franchise's first two seasons, have moved on to the affiliated ranks of pro baseball. De Los Santos is the seventh member of the 2003 squad to have his contract purchased. The JackHammers open their third season at 7:05 PM on Thursday, May 20 versus the Gary (IN) SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field in Joliet's City Center.
De Los Santos began the 2003 season as the JackHammers every day shortstop. Through 23 games played, he batted .250 (19-for-76) with two triples, three runs scored, four doubles and five RBI. He posted a .947 fielding percentage and has the uncanny ability to make difficult plays seem routine. De Los Santos left an imprint in the JackHammers record books. In the game at Sioux City on May 30, 2003, De Los Santos recorded the first two outs and assisted the third of the first and only triple play turned in the JackHammers brief two-season history.
The JackHammers first acquired De Los Santos in a trade with the Northern League's Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs on April 4, 2003. The JackHammers sent him back to Lincoln in a trade on June 29, 2003 and then brought him back to Joliet in a trade on September 22, 2003. His pro career began when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed him as a non-drafted free agent on March 14, 1996.
Through eight pro seasons (including 2003), De Los Santos is batting .252 (723-for-2,873) with 11 home runs, 13 triples, 59 stolen bases, 92 doubles, 277 RBI and 280 runs scored. His highest level of play was Triple-A Durham in the Devil Rays organization ('98 & '00) and Syracuse in the Toronto Blue Jays organization ('02).
De Los Santos stands 6'3" and weighs 200 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed. De Los Santos was born on February 24, 1975 (28 years old) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
"Losing Eddy's tremendous defensive skills' is difficult, but I am very happy he is getting his chance to get back to affiliated ball. Having eleven players sign thus far with affiliated teams is a testament to the great things this organization is doing. Moving so many players on can only help us continue to attract the best players available," said Mike Pinto, the JackHammers Player Development Coordinator and third-year coach.
Of the 12 JackHammers that have moved onto the affiliated ranks through the team's first two seasons, nine will be heading to spring training in February and March. In addition to De Los Santos (Royals), there is left-handed pitcher Tim Byrdak (San Diego), third baseman Troy Cameron (Chi. Sox), right-handed pitcher Steve Hecker (St. Louis), center fielder Anthony Monegan (St. Louis), right-handed pitcher Alex Morales (Montreal), middle infielder Brian Sprout (Los Angeles) and right-handed pitcher Hank Thoms (Oakland). On the coaching front, former pitching coach Greg Hibbard is in the Cleveland Indians organization. Three JackHammers who were once signed by affiliated clubs have since been released.
The JackHammers have full season tickets, mini-plan ticket packages, group ticket packages, team merchandise and gift certificates available for purchase. An early bird date to purchase individual game tickets will be announced in a future team e-mail newsletter. For a free subscription, send us an e-mail at info@jackhammerbaseball.com. For complete team information, visit www.jackhammerbaseball.com, visit the team offices at Silver Cross Field or call 815-726-BALL (2255).
Northern League Stories from January 16, 2004
- KC purchases De Los Santos - Joliet JackHammers
- Canaries Spring Training To Remain In Sioux Falls - Sioux Falls Canaries
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
