RailCats Sell Hernandez to Yankees
February 9, 2006 - Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Gary, Ind.- The 2005 Northern League Champion Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club announced today that the contract of pitcher Ivan Hernandez has been sold to the New York Yankees. Hernandez will attend spring training with the Yankees in March.
Hernandez was acquired by the RailCats on January 17th in a trade with the Winnipeg Goldeyes that sent center fielder Fehlandt Lentini from Gary to Winnipeg in exchange for Hernandez and pitchers P.J. Connelly and Seth Johnson. Ironically, Connelly's contract was sold to the Los Angeles Angels' organization last week, leaving Johnson as the only member of the deal still with the RailCats.
Hernandez, 24, enjoyed an outstanding season in 2005 with Winnipeg, finishing second to former RailCat Quintin Oldenburg for the league's "Rookie Pitcher of the Year" award. Hernandez appeared in 43 games working strictly out of the bullpen, posting a 5-3 record with a 1.99 earned run average and two saves. He limited opposing batters to a .206 combined batting average. Hernandez struck out 54 batters in 54.1 innings while walking 24. Hernandez played college baseball at Chico State (Calif.) University.
The RailCats retain the independent league rights to Hernandez and he would return to the RailCats roster should he fail to earn a spot on the pitching staff of the one of the Yankees' minor league affiliates.
Hernandez becomes the 11th member of the RailCats to be sent to a major league organization since the RailCats' inception in 2002. He joins Connelly and pitchers Justin Craker, Tim Byrdak, Sazi Guthrie, Jake Upwood (all purchased by the San Diego Padres), and Dominic Woody (purchased by Seattle Mariners); catchers Carlos Pagan (purchased by the Seattle Mariners), Rich Rodrigues (purchased by Los Angeles Angels) and C.J. Medlin (purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers), and infielder Ben Risinger (purchased by San Diego Padres).
RailCats merchandise and 2006 ticket plans are available now. Call (219) 882-2255 or stop by the gift shop at U. S. Steel Yard at One Stadium Plaza in Gary.
Northern League Stories from February 9, 2006
- Two Winners Emerge in eBay Auction - Schaumburg Flyers
- RailCats Sell Hernandez to Yankees - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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