RiverHawks Send Off Olson to the Twins

June 19, 2003 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release


Pitcher Justin Olson was signed today by the Minnesota Twins organization. Olson (1-1) pitched in four games for Rockford, compiling 11 strikeouts in just 5 innings. Justin is a graduate from the University of Illinois and will now travel to the Twins Single A Affiliate-the Quad City River Bandits. The Chicago White Sox, Florida Marlins, and Twins have been actively pursing him within the last week.

"I've been working hard for a long time to get to this point and the Twins have given me an opportunity to take it to the next level," Olson said, "I'm looking forward to the challenge, hopefully things will go as I feel they will."

He becomes the second player to be signed by a major league organization in Rockford's brief franchise history. Jayson Drobiak signed with the New York Yankees Organization last summer. He is currently playing for the Battle Creek Yankees in the Midwest League. Drobiak is the first Battle Creek player to have multi-homer games this season. Jayson is just one home run behind the league leader Nelson Cruz. He also was the starting first baseman Tuesday night for the Eastern Division MWL All-Star team.

"That's what this league is here for," says GM Kristan Dolan, "We're very proud of Justin and Jayson and wish them the best of luck."

Olson is the third player to be signed this year from the Frontier League. Pitchers James Clelland from Cook County and Tommy Marx from Kalamazoo were signed earlier this season. So far the league has seen over 250 players get signed by major league organizations since 1993.



Frontier League Stories from June 19, 2003


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