RailCats Extend Four Contracts, Sign Pitcher
January 19, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Four key RailCats players inked contract extensions this week as outfielder Adam Klein, pitcher Will Krout, catcher Craig Maddox and infielder Rico Washington will return to the team in 2012. The club also signed pitcher Chad Rhoades.
Klein has been remarkably consistent in his first two seasons with the RailCats, batting .299 each year. Last season Klein set single-season franchise records with 75 runs scored and 71 walks. He led the club with a .423 on-base percentage and ranked in the top 15 in the American Association in runs, walks, and OBP. Klein hit one homer and knocked in 45 runs while sharing the team lead with 17 stolen bases.
In 2010 Klein became the first RailCats player to appear in all 100 games of the season and matched the team record at the time with 119 hits. He also stole 29 bases, second-most in team history, and added 54 RBI. The left-handed hitter was selected by the Oakland A's in the 48th round of the 2007 Draft.
"I can't say enough about Adam Klein; he's the best leadoff hitter and run producer from that slot I've ever had or seen on a ballclub," RailCats Manager Greg Tagert said. "Most importantly, he sets an example to every player of how to be a professional on and off the field."
Krout had an outstanding RailCats debut in 2011, as he posted a 5-2 record and led the team with 49 appearances and a microscopic 1.85 ERA. He fell just short of the required 80 innings to qualify for the league's ERA title. Krout allowed just 16 runs, 15 earned in 73 innings and did not surrender a home run. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound righty struck out 49 batters and only walked eight. He previously pitched for the River City Rascals in the Frontier League.
Maddox split time behind the plate last season with Mike Valadez, who was dealt to Schaumburg on Monday. He batted .321 with 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 51 games with a .380 OBP. Maddox has had stints in the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves organizations.
"Will Krout and Craig Maddox were both tremendous in their first year with the RailCats and we expect even better things from both players in 2012," Tagert said.
Former St. Louis Cardinal Rico Washington returns to Gary after coming to the RailCats in a late-season trade last year. He played in nine games for the RailCats and was 6-for-29 (.345) at the plate with eight RBI. Washington spent most of the season with the Kansas City T-Bones and combined to hit .313 with 12 homers and finished sixth in the league with 83 RBI. The left-handed hitter was a 10th Round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1997 Draft and played in 14 games in Major League Baseball with the Cardinals in 2008.
"We're very excited to have Rico return, he made a great impression on all of us in his short time [with the team last season]," Tagert said.
Rhoades spent the last two seasons with Fargo-Moorhead in the American Association. The Bowie, Texas native was 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA in his two seasons with the RedHawks. He started nine games in 2010 and was 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA before pitching exclusively out of the bullpen in 2011.
The right-hander was acquired as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 and played four seasons in the organization, reaching the Double-A level. In six seasons, Rhoades has a career 4.14 ERA. He pitched collegiately at NAIA Oklahoma Baptist, where he set the school record with 63 career appearances in three seasons. Tagert called Rhoades "an excellent addition to our pitching staff."
Gary has signed ten players for the 2012 season, including pitchers Morgan Coombs, Derek Johnson and Shawn Schaefer, infielder Chris Carrara and outfielder Mike Massaro. A maximum of 28 players may be under contract during the pre-season and the active roster may hold up to 22 players once the regular season begins.
The RailCats will open the 2012 season on May 17, with the Home Opener on May 25 at U.S. Steel Yard.
American Association Stories from January 19, 2012
- RailCats Extend Four Contracts, Sign Pitcher - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Sox, Diablos Swap Players Pitcher For Catcher - Amarillo ThunderHeads
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