RailCats add Triple-A hitter
Published on July 12, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Gary, Ind.-The Gary SouthShore RailCats announced roster changes today as they get set to begin the second half of the Northern League's split season at Edmonton against the Cracker-Cats.
The RailCats have signed infielder Ben Risinger and right-handed pitcher Mike Schaefer, both free agents.
The club has placed catcher Jose Yepez on the seven day disabled list and released infielder Brandon O'Neal.
Risinger spent six years in the San Diego Padres organization including the 2003-'05 seasons with the Triple-A Portland Beavers after earning Team Most Valuable Player honors with the Padres' Double-A club, the Mobile BayBears, in 2002.
Risinger was one of the most versatile players in the Padres organization and has played over 100 career games at three different positions (third base, second base, and shortstop) and 90 games at another (catcher). Several times in his career, Risinger started the first game of a doubleheader at shortstop and the second game at catcher.
He has also played first base and the outfield. He is expected to be inserted in the middle part of the batting order for the RailCats as an everyday player, but could also play multiple positions as he did in Portland.
After hitting .288 with Double-A Mobile in 2002, Risinger posted a combined batting average of .240 over three seasons in Triple-A. The native of Australia is known for his fierce, competitive nature and bulldog mentality on the field and adds experience to the RailCats.
Schaefer will start Thursday's game at Calgary. He made six starts earlier this season for the RailCats, going 0-4 with a 7.39 earned run average.
Yepez is batting .294 with one home run and 26 runs batted in for the RailCats. O'Neal hit .169 with two home runs and eight RBI in 22 games.
The RailCats roster remains at the Northern League limit of 22.
Northern League Stories from July 12, 2005
- Errors prove costly for Flyers - Schaumburg Flyers
- Saints win opener of series and second half 3-1 - Joliet JackHammers
- Two Cracker-Cats added to All-star game - Edmonton Capitals
- RailCats add Triple-A hitter - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fish feel swell with return of Purcell - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Moreno earns weekly honors - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Oldenburg named to South Division All-Star Team - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Moreno and Myers win Northern League weekly awards - NL
- Four RedHawks added to All-Star roster - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Northern League All-Star reserves and pitchers announced - NL
- Lincoln and Sedlacek added to North elite - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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