Los Angeles Angels Purchase Contract of GBL MVP OF Patrick Breen of the Orange County Flyers

October 14, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release

(Dublin, CA. October 14, 2008) The Golden Baseball League (GBL) announced today that Orange County Flyer outfielder Patrick Breen has had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This continues an outstanding off-season for Breen as he has been named Golden Baseball League MVP, selected to the Baseball American All-Indy First Team and Top Prosepects List, and named Baseball America's Independent Leagues Player of the Year in the last month.

Breen, 25, 6-3, 215 lbs is an outfielder who was drafted in the 21st round of the 2004 amateur draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays out of the University of Houston. Slugging his way through the low minors, he rocketed to Double-A in just 2 and half years -- being promoted from the High-A California League while leading that league in home runs at the mid-way mark in 2006. His batting average tailed off and he was released after two years at Double-A Montgomery in the Southern League. An Orange County native, he quickly signed with the Orange County Flyers and was an offensive force all season as he led his team to the playoffs and the 2008 GBL Championship title. Garnering awards all season, he was named to the GBL All-Star team, selected as Player of the Week and Player of the Month, and won the GBL Player of the Year Award. During the season he won the GBL Batting title hitting at a .396 clip, led the league and demolished the single-season home run record with 28, and knocked in 94 runs which was just three shy of the league lead and a Triple Crown. He virtually re-wrote the GBL single-season hitting record book as he established new marks for Home Runs (28), Total Bases (227), On-Base Percentage (.509), Slugging Average (.825), and Extra Base Hits (56). In addition, his single started the ninth inning rally in Game 5 of the GBL Championship Series as the Flyers scored two in the final inning to win the title.

"Pat Breen is what independent professional baseball is all about," said GBL Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "Highly skilled players, fighting for championships and showcasing themselves for major league organizations to acquire. Pat is a great example of the talent in the GBL and the ability for GBL top players to be recognized nationally and by big league clubs. It will be fun to watch his career progress with the Angels."

Breen is the 20th GBL player to be acquired by a major league organization in 2008.

Golden Baseball League Stories from October 14, 2008

• Edmonton Cracker Cat Closer Pete Sikaras Purchased by Philadelphia Phillies - GBL
• Los Angeles Angels Purchase Contract of GBL MVP OF Patrick Breen of the Orange County Flyers - GBL

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