RailCats Ink Catcher Anthony Esquer to 2009 Contract
Published on March 3, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Anthony Esquer was behind the plate for seven of the Gary SouthShore RailCats eight playoff games last year, and today the RailCats and Esquer agreed to terms on a contract to bring the California native to Gary again in 2009.
Esquer, 24, joined the RailCats in early June last year after being released by the Cincinnati Reds, and began a platoon behind the plate with opening day starter Brett Wallace. A noted defensive catcher during his three seasons in the Reds system, Esquer also put together one of his best offensive seasons in 2008.
Esquer batted .318 in 39 games for Manager Greg Tagert - the third-highest average on the team - and recorded a career-high 41 hits to go along with 18 RBIs. In the post-season, Esquer started the final seven games of the RailCats playoff run, including Tony Cogan's complete game victory in Game Four of the Northern League Semifinals against Winnipeg.
Defensively, though, was where Esquer really made his mark, leading the league by throwing out an impressive 54.1% (20-of-37) of would-be base stealers. No other catcher in the Northern League threw out runners at a better than 30.8% clip.
Esquer was originally drafted by Cincinnati in the 24th round of the 2006 Player Entry Draft, and spent three seasons in the Reds farm system. Esquer's best season was his first, when he batted .331 with five doubles and 19 runs batted in for Billings in the rookie Pioneer League. In 2007 and 2008, Esquer split time between the Reds low-A and high-A affiliates in Dayton and Sarasota.
A native of the Los Angeles area, Esquer was a two-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Association selection at Division II Cal Poly Pomona. Esquer led the Broncos with seven home runs and 42 RBIs as a senior in 2006.
With Esquer's signing, the RailCats now have seven position players and two pitchers under contract for the 2009 season, although Esquer is the first catcher to ink a deal. The RailCats have signed outfielder Rob Marconi, infielders Jay Pecci, Eric McNamee, Mike Rohde, Paul Bartolucci and Isaac Omura, along with pitchers Garret Holleran and Brian Halford. The RailCats will have at least 28 players under contract when Spring Training begins May 1.
Esquer and the RailCats open the 2009 season at home Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against the Joliet JackHammers. Season tickets, group outings, mini-plans and flex tickets are now on sale by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255. Don't miss your chance to experience the RailCats Tradition of Excellence in 2009 at U. S. Steel Yard.
Northern League Stories from March 3, 2009
- RailCats Ink Catcher Anthony Esquer to 2009 Contract - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Flyers Fans Go To Bat For A Cause - Schaumburg Flyers
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