Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox Rookie Of The Year Thriving Down Under

Published on January 29, 2004 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


(Brockton, MA – January 29, 2004) Brockton Rox first baseman and Daktronics 2003 Northeast League Rookie of the Year Craig Lewis has verbally agreed to come back for a second season in Brockton. Lewis just finished playing for the New South Wales Patriots during the Claxton Shield, a 6-team annual Australian baseball tournament.

"This is the World Series of Australian baseball," explained Rox Director of Player Personnel Barry Moss, who took a scouting trip to watch the tournament. "The level of competition is good and every major league organization is represented with scouts. There were roughly 30-players who play ball professionally in the United States who travel back in the winter to partake in this tournament."

In Lewis' first season in Brockton, he hit .323 and drove in 50 runs. He set Rox franchise records for hits (111), doubles (26), runs (54) and triples (9) in 2003. The Sydney, Australia native, who turned 27 in December, was tied for the team-high in home runs and runs batted in during the Rox postseason drive to the championship.

"Craig Lewis is coming off of a phenomenal rookie season and we are proud to have him back at first base for the 2004 season," said Rox Owner Van Schley, who has signed over 15 Australian players to his teams over the last decade. "He is an impact player who we expect to have bigger power numbers this season."

The 6'5" speedster found himself hitting cleanup in the Australian weeklong baseball tournament. He ranked in the top 5 for batting average (.400), on base percentage (.526), triples and saves. Lewis racked up 2 saves in his 3 innings of work while only allowing 2 hits and striking out three. The Lewis led New South Wales team went on to win the Claxton Shield Championship, Lewis' second championship since signing with the Rox.

"Lewis has the skills to play at the AA or even AAA level," said Barry Moss. "He has above average defensive skills, a major league arm and solid speed. Scouts are always in search for a guy who can take a 92 MPH fastball on the inner third of the plate and drive it for power. If Lewis can have the same kind of year as last, he will be right on schedule and will be garnishing a lot of interest from big league organizations. "

Lewis signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1997 by the New York Yankees and was used solely as a pitcher. After being released in 2001, Lewis signed with the Montreal Expos and did double-duty as a pitcher and a position player. Lewis has a career pitching record of 20-13 with a 3.24 ERA in 324.2 innings pitched and his career batting average is .321 in 346 plate appearances.

The Brockton Rox play their home games in the "City of Champions" state-of-the-art baseball facility, Campanelli Stadium, adjacent to the Shaw's Center, a meeting and banquet facility. The club plays a 92-game schedule in the eight-team independent Northeast League.

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Canadian American League Stories from January 29, 2004


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