Rookie of the Year, Tanner Witt, Signs Extension
December 16, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
LOVES PARK, IL - The 2014 Frontier League Rookie of the Year, Tanner Witt, is one of three players to re-sign with the Rockford Aviators for the 2015 season.
"We are thrilled as an organization to have back the 2014 Frontier League Rookie of the Year," said Aviators Manager James Frisbie. "It's outstanding to get a player of Tanner's character to represent the Aviators both on and off the field."
Last season, Witt earned his place as the top rookie in the league after posting a .305 batting average with four home runs and 39 RBIs. He spent most of his time at second base, but was a utility player who saw time at every position on the field except catcher.
Witt also strung together two separate sixteen-game hit streaks last season which were the second longest streaks in the entire league.
"We look for [Witt] to continue to build his career and hopefully end up with a MLB organization soon," said Frisbie. "I know Tanner will be well prepared coming into the 2015 season."
The Aviators also re-signed a pair of pitchers to extensions through the 2015 season.
Eric Cendejas will return to continue his role in the bullpen after joining the team in the middle of the season.
"We are happy to get Eric back," said Frisbie. "I look for him to be a work horse for us this season as a stopper out of the pen. He is very durable and can take the ball for us whenever the ball club needs him."
Cendejas, a right-handed pitcher, appeared in 20 games for the Aviators last season and finished with a 0-2 record and a 4.20 ERA. He struck out 20 batters while walking just seven.
Ryan Bonnot, who appeared in just two games last season, will look to spend his first full season with the Aviators in 2015.
Bonnot, a southpaw, was signed with only a few weeks left in the season, but found his way into the starting rotation to finish out the season where he posted a 0-2 record with a 6.75 ERA.
"We look for Ryan to come in and compete for a starting role on the mound," said Frisbie. "He threw well for us at the end of the year and I know he will be ready to compete for us this year."
The Aviators will begin the 2015 campaign on May 15 at GCS Ballpark against the Gateway Grizzlies. Opening Day at Aviators Stadium will be May 19 as the Aviators host the Traverse City Beach Bums. For a complete schedule of the 2015 season, please visit the team's website at www.rockfordaviators.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@RockAviators) and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rockfordaviators.
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Frontier League Stories from December 16, 2014
- Miners Ink Schwendel, Fischer - Southern Illinois Miners
- Rookie of the Year, Tanner Witt, Signs Extension - Rockford Aviators
- Rascals Veteran Eric Williams New Hitting Coach - River City Rascals
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