RailCats Complete Blockbuster Deal with Laredo
September 28, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, IN - The Gary South Shore RailCats got a head start on the 2016 season by announcing today the completion of the August 13th trade with the Laredo Lemurs. Laredo has sent INF Kevin Taylor and RHP Matt Sergey to the RailCats as the two players to be named with Gary South Shore sending LHP Rene Solis to Laredo to finalize the deal.
"We are extremely excited to announce the addition of Kevin Taylor and Matt Sergey to the RailCats. I look forward to watching them both become impact players for the RailCats in 2016 and excite our fan base as we pursue another American Association Championship," said RailCats General Manager Brian Lyter.
Manager Greg Tagert added, "This gives our club two additional players, who are capable of being key contributors in 2016. Kevin and Matt are coming off very productive seasons and both have tremendous upside potential for the future."
INF Kevin Taylor played in 98 games for the American Association Champions hitting .327 with 11 HR and 54 RBI in 2015. Taylor led the team in runs scored (69) and was second in average and doubles (T24). He was third in home runs (11) and RBI (54) for the Lemurs. The Portland, Oregon native would finish 13th in the American Association in average and his 65 walks was good for third in the circuit. Taylor's 98 games played was also good for second on the Laredo club in 2015. Taylor also showed his versatility playing 40 games in the outfield, while another 26 at second, five at third and three at catcher. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 36th round in 2011, Taylor spent parts of three seasons in the Dodgers organization.
RHP Matt Sergey comes to the RailCats after a strong finish for Laredo where he did not allow a run over his last 20 regular season innings pitched. Sergey continued that stretch in the playoffs tossing six more shutout innings on September 10th in a first round game two win over Wichita to run his total to 26 consecutive scoreless innings. Sergey would go on to work a total of 9.2 innings in the playoffs with three earned runs allowed. He posted a 2-0 record for the Lemurs in three starts with 22 strike outs in 20 scoreless regular season innings. Laredo acquired the Florida native on August 15th of 2015 from Washington of the Frontier League, where in 2014 he tossed the first perfect game in the 22 year history of the league. Sergey was 3-4 at Washington in 62.0 IP and a 2.76 ER in 11 games all starts in 2015.
Gary South Shore sent LHP Rene Solis to Laredo to wrap up the deal. The native of San Antonio, Texas was 4-7 with the RailCats in 2015. Solis worked 118.1 innings second on the RailCats staff, posting a 4-7 record and a 5.32 ERA in 22 games (20 starts). The lefty struck out 79 and walked 42 for the RailCats last season.
The original package sent INF JD Pulfer, OF Drew Martinez and INF Roger Bernal to the Laredo in exchange for 1B Dustin Geiger, INF Jarred Mederos and LHP Alex Gunn during the season's final month with two players to be named from Laredo and one from the South Shore.
"The completion of this deal, although difficult to lose players like Danny (Pulfer), Drew (Martinez), Rene (Solis) and Roger (Bernal), is another example of our clubs commitment to return the RailCats to prominence year in and year out. We'll continue to add as many young, talented, and high character players as possible to establish a core group of of players who will lead the Cats in 2016 and beyond," said Manager Greg Tagert.
2016 will mark the 15th season of RailCats Baseball in Northwest Indiana and season tickets are now on sale. Visit RAILCATSBASEBALL.COM or call (219) 882-2255 for more information.
American Association Stories from September 28, 2015
- X's Ink Steve Montgomery to New 9 Year Deal - Sioux City Explorers
- RailCats Complete Blockbuster Deal with Laredo - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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