Miners pick first in Frontier League expansion draft
Published on November 27, 2006 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion - The Southern Illinois Miners new Manager Mike Pinto today chose Chris Pillsbury with the first pick of the Frontier League Expansion Draft. Pillsbury, a Right-Handed Pitcher, played with the Evansville Otters last season. With its second pick, the Miners chose Right Handed Relief Pitcher Marshall Plouffe. After choosing Plouffe with their second pick, the Miners chose First Baseman Andy Hudak. In fourth round, the Miners chose Infielder Ryan Kane. The Miners fifth round selection was Catcher Ryan Hanson. In the following round, Manager Mike Pinto selected Right Handed Relief Pitcher Beau Massey. With their last selection in the Expansion Draft, Ray Navarro was chosen by the Miners in the seventh round.
"I'm excited about the team that we're putting together. We're committed to putting a winning team on the field right from the start and the guys we chose tonight will be an important part of that," stated Pinto.
Pillsbury was the 6th leading pitcher in era for the Frontier League during the 2006 season with a 2.71 era. He was 6-4 while throwing 109 2/3 IP, striking out 96 with 2 shutouts. In two Frontier League seasons he has shown he is a workhorse with a combined 301 IP, doing 14-11 and striking out 181 batters.
Plouffe appeared in 41 games, finishing 15 games with 3 saves during the 2006 season. He was 5-2 with an era of 2.54. Plouffe struck out 42 in 56 2/3 innings pitched. Opposing hitters were a limited .216 against him. In his two year career, he has appeared in 67 games with a 2.41 era.
Hudak hit .240 for Washington with 12 doubles, 4 triples and 10 home runs to go along with 44 RBI and 11 stolen bases. This followed a 2005 season where he hit .308 with 10 home runs.
Kane hit .272 during the 2006 season with 2 triples and 10 stolen bases. Ryan also had a .380 on base percentage.
Hanson split his 2006 rookie season between the Edmonton CrackerCats of the Northern League and Florence. He hit a combined .234 with an on base percentage of .333.
Beau appeared in 32 games for Rockford in 2006 where he was 2-1 with 5 saves. He carried a 3.62 era, striking out 30 in 37 1/3 innings pitched
Navarro split his time in 2006 between the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League and Windy City, hitting a combined .253 with a .330 on base percentage.
"The players selected tonight by Manager Mike Pinto clearly shows his level of preparation and commitment to bringing a championship caliber team, both on and off the field to the Southern Illinois Community" stated General Manager Tim Arseneau
The Expansion Draft sponsored by Mackie's Pizza and Farmers State Bank took place this evening at Mackie's Pizza in Marion, IL.
The Southern Illinois Miners is a new Frontier League team that will begin play in a new $14 million stadium next May29th in Marion, IL. The Frontier League has 12 teams that play a 96 game season schedule, concluding with a playoff and championship.
Frontier League Stories from November 27, 2006
- Miners pick first in Frontier League expansion draft - Southern Illinois Miners
- RiverHawks lose Massey, Vickers in expansion draft - Rockford RiverHawks
- Wild Things Make 2007 Roster Changes - Washington Wild Things
- Slippery Rock Selects Nine in Expansion Draft - Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti
- ThunderBolts Release 2007 Season Schedule - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Southern Illinois Miners sign two players - Southern Illinois Miners
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