RailCats Overhaul Pitching Staff, Add Three Arms
Published on July 1, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - In the midst of a three-game series against the Northern League's best offensive team the Gary SouthShore RailCats have called for reinforcements, today signing left-handed pitchers Clint Goocher and Aaron Jenkins, and activating right-hander Garret Holleran from the inactive list. To make room for the three additions, the RailCats placed Grant Johnson on the disabled list.
Goocher, 27, was a step away from the major leagues last season before his first year at Triple-A was derailed by an elbow injury. After undergoing "Tommy John" reconstructive surgery last year, Goocher was released out of extended spring training by the Arizona Diamondbacks in late June 2009 before being signed by the RailCats. A former 31st round draft choice, Goocher nonetheless pitched six seasons as a member of the Diamondbacks organization.
Goocher was a starting pitcher in his first full season as a professional, going 9-2 with a 3.67 ERA in 14 starts in Lancaster (A) in 2004. Those numbers were good enough to earn a promotion to Double-A El Paso, and Goocher continued as a Double-A starter with Tennessee in 2005 before switching to a relief role the following year. With Mobile (AA) in 2007, Goocher appeared in 52 games out of the bullpen, carrying an impressive 3.42 ERA and earning six saves. The Texas native began 2008 at Tucson (AAA), appearing in nine games before the injury. In his six-year career, Goocher is 39-37 with a 4.42 ERA and has 364 strikeouts against only 142 walks in 523.1 innings.
After first enrolling at the University of Texas in 2001, Goocher played his college baseball at San Jacinto Junior College helping his team to runner-up finish at the 2003 Junior College World Series. Goocher was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2002 but did not sign until just before the 2003 draft.
Jenkins, 24, signs with the RailCats less than a week after being released by Grand Prairie of the independent American Association. Another lefty, Jenkins has put up gaudy strikeout numbers in a three-year career, fanning 119 hitters in only 94.0 career innings. On the flip side Jenkins has also issued 75 walks, but his 3.93 career ERA is still solid and opposing batters hit a meager .192 against him.
Drafted in the 22nd round of the 2007 Major League Entry Draft by the Oakland Athletics, Jenkins spent the remainder of that season at rookie-level Vancouver, allowing only 13 hits and striking out 41 in 22.1 innings. The 5'10" Jenkins split time last season between Wichita and Grand Prairie.
A star at the University of Northern Iowa in the powerhouse Missouri Valley Conference, Jenkins is the program's single-season and career strikeout record holder. A Minnesota native, Jenkins posted a team-leading 3.04 ERA in 14 starts as a junior in 2007, amassing an impressive 126 punch-outs in just 94.2 innings to set the single-season mark, earning Second Team All-MVC honors in the process. Jenkins finished his three-year career with 247 strikeouts. Northern Iowa is also the alma mater of former RailCats standout and Northern League All-Star Josh Habel.
Holleran, 24, missed the first 43 games of this season with a shoulder injury after helping the RailCats to the Northern League Championship Series a year ago. The former Wright State Raider went 3-3 with a 5.50 ERA in 14 outings (10 starts) for the RailCats last season, his first as a professional. Holleran, like Goocher and Jenkins, will join the RailCats relief corps.
Johnson started Tuesday's game and threw 115 pitches in only six innings of work, striking out a season-high seven. The former Notre Dame right-hander is 1-3 with a 9.15 ERA in four starts with the RailCats this year.
Northern League Stories from July 1, 2009
- T-Bones Secure Sixth Straight Victory, 5-2 - Kansas City Monarchs
- RailCats Explode Early, Rout Fargo-Moorhead 13-6 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- T-Bones Win in Joliet - Joliet JackHammers
- Huge Inning in Key Win - Schaumburg Flyers
- Goldeyes Drop Series Finale - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- DeCaster Named Player of the Month - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- RailCats Overhaul Pitching Staff, Add Three Arms - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Northern League Newsletter - NL
- RailCats to Collect for Soldiers During Fourth of July Game - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Walker Earns League Honors - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- DeCaster and Walker Named Rawlings Northern League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June - NL
- Goldeyes Lose Long, Activate Metheny - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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