Saltdogs Acquire 2002 NL All-Star Sienko
Published on January 28, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
Lincoln, NE- The Lincoln Saltdogs acquired the contract rights to 2002 Northern League All-Star catcher Ryan Sienko off waivers Wednesday, the club announced. Sienko had a career year with a .329 average and 18 home runs in a half-season for Joliet in 2002, and followed that up with 14 home runs for the Jackhammers in 2003.
Sienko played four seasons of collegiate baseball for the University of Iowa. He hit 14 home runs and drove in 65 runs during his college career. He began his professional career with Kalamazoo of the Frontier League in 1997, hitting .235 with 7 home runs and 29 runs driven in that season.
The catcher was signed by the Texas Rangers organization prior to the 1998 season, and played the 1998 and 1999 seasons for Class A Savannah. He received only 132 bats in those seasons, hitting one home run and driving in 10 runs.
Sienko signed with the Schaumburg Flyers near the beginning of the 2000 season, and showed his prodigious power during his two seasons with the Flyers. In 433 at-bats, the big right-handed hitting catcher drove 17 balls out of the park.
Sienko's power was on full display during the 2002 season, when he hit 18 home runs in just 161 at bats (1 HR/8.9 at-bats) for Joliet. He earned NL Player of the Month honors in June by batting .352 (31-for-88) with 9 home runs, 20 RBI and 24 runs scored. He finished the NL season with a career- high .329 batting average and 38 runs driven in.
The outstanding first half of the NL season earned Sienko a contract with the Chicago White Sox, who signed the slugger in mid-July. His hitting stroke suffered at Class A Winston-Salem, where he hit .211 with 5 home runs in 34 games.
Sienko spent the entire 2003 season with Joliet, where he hit .216 but with 14 home runs and 46 runs driven in.
Ticket packages are now on sale for the 2004 season. Call 474-BALL to order or for further information.
Northern League Stories from January 28, 2004
- Saltdogs Acquire 2002 NL All-Star Sienko - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Les playing, more coaching - Joliet JackHammers
- Flyers Sign Reliever Matt Bailie - Schaumburg Flyers
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