Royals Ink Austin To AA Deal
Published on October 7, 2004 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. â Former Rockford RiverHawk Rich Austin is officially a member of the Kansas City Royals organization.
The RiverHawks announced today that the Royals have signed Austin to a Class AA contract for 2005. Kansas City's Double-A affiliate is the Wichita Wranglers of the Texas League. Minor-leaguers report to spring training in Arizona around March 1, but Austin said he will likely arrive early to get a head start.
"I'm looking forward to it," Austin said. "There's a lot of hard work ahead."
The Royals purchased the rights to the Frontier League Most Valuable Player, effective after the season, during last month's league championship series. Austin led Rockford to the pennant, culminating in a three-game sweep of Evansville in the finals.
"Rich was not only a great player, but he was a fan favorite and great in the community," general manger Mike Babcock said. "We wish him the best."
Austin hit a league-leading .359 with 15 home runs and 77 RBI, setting team records in each category. The veteran right fielder set single-season team records in four other categories. Austin, who turned 27 on Aug. 30, was in his final year of FL eligibility. Austin, whose rookie year was the team's last in Springfield, was the franchise's longest-tenured player.
Austin is the second player this year and the sixth in the RiverHawks' three seasons in Rockford to go on to affiliated baseball. The others are: corner infielder Jayson Drobiak (2002, Yankees); pitcher Justin Olson (2003, Twins); pitcher Justin Dowdy (2003, Mariners; 2004, Angels); pitcher Jason Shelley, the 2003 Baseball America Independent League Player of the Year (2003, Brewers); pitcher Scott Sobkowiak (2003, Reds). Drobiak, Olson and Dowdy are currently playing high Class A baseball.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 12th season. Season tickets for 2005 are now available by calling the box office.
Frontier League Stories from October 7, 2004
- Royals Ink Austin To AA Deal - Rockford RiverHawks
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