NL Gary SouthShore Railcats

RailCats Sign Former MAC Pitcher of the Year, Make Trade

Published on April 21, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats will open spring training in 10 days and will do so with a number of new faces on the pitching staff, including 2006 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year Jeff Fischer who agreed to terms on a contract today. The 'Cats also made a three-team trade, acquiring veteran right-hander Roman Martinez from Grand Prairie of the American Association.

Fischer, 23, had a magnificent college career at Eastern Michigan and was selected in the 10th round of the 2007 Major League Entry Draft by the Colorado Rockies. After going 0-10 for Casper that summer, Fischer rebounded with a very solid 2008 season for the Ghosts, allowing just 83 hits in 83.1 innings and recording 85 strikeouts. The Michigan native made 15 starts in each of his two seasons in Casper and combined to surrender only 32 walks in better than 156 innings, amassing a nearly 5:1 strikeout-walk ratio.

Before beginning his professional career, Fischer put together a brilliant sophomore season for the Eagles in 2006, going 9-4 with a tidy 1.97 ERA (14th in the nation) in 109.2 innings. Fischer went the distance in five of his 12 starts, held opposing hitters to a .222 average, struck out 103 against just 24 walks and led the MAC in ERA, shutouts and opponent's batting average. For his efforts, Fischer was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year, became just the second EMU player to earn All-Mideast Region honors, was an Academic All-District selection and grabbed a spot on the All-MAC First Team, a feat he would repeat the next season. As a junior in 2007, Fischer posted a ho-hum 3.00 ERA and struck out 95 in 102.0 innings. Fischer left school after his junior season, but still ranks in among the program's all-time leaders in career wins (18, 10th), ERA (3.26, 11th), innings pitched (268.0, 5th) and strikeouts (261, 2nd).

In the day's other move, the RailCats picked up former Frontier League ERA champ Ryan Flanigan for future considerations from Lake Erie, then dealt him to Grand Prairie for Martinez. A Dominican native, the 24-year-old Martinez has eight years of professional experience, all in the Seattle Mariners system. Primarily a reliever, Martinez made 37 appearances for West Tenn (AA) and posted a 4.78 ERA. In 195 career outings, Martinez has a 4.14 ERA with 352 strikeouts in 387.0 innings.

The signing of Fischer gives the RailCats 24 players under contract for the 2009 season, including 11 pitchers. The 'Cats currently have 29 players under their control for the summer and will have at least 28 players in camp when the club opens Spring Training May 1 at U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats begin the 2009 season at home Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against the Joliet JackHammers. Single-game tickets, 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.

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Northern League Stories from April 21, 2009


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