Saltdogs Sign Another Slugger, Bring Back Pitcher
Published on April 20, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs added another power boost to their 2009 lineup on Monday, signing infielder Juan Richardson. Lincoln also announced the return of right-handed pitcher Ryan Trytten, who made 17 starts for the Saltdogs in 2008.
Richardson, who enters his eleventh season of pro baseball in 2009, is coming off an outstanding season in the Kansas City Royals organization. Playing for Class AA Northwest Arkansas, he hit .296 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI in 133 games. Juan, a native of the Dominican Republic, also set a personal career best with 36 doubles. Juan has topped double digits in homers in seven of the last eight seasons.
"Juan is another important piece in the puzzle for us," said Saltdogs manager Marty Scott. "As a right-handed power hitter, he helps balance the lineup along with Phil Hawke, who's our left-handed slugger. Juan also gives us a lot of versatility, since he can DH, and play both first base and third base. He's a veteran presence in the clubhouse, too, and we look for him to be a real leader on this team."
The 30-year-old Richardson started his pro career in 1999, after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He spent most of his first six seasons at the Class A level, before getting a chance as a full-time Class AA player at Reading in 2005. Juan moved to the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2006, and had a pair of 78-RBI seasons for Class AA Springfield before the Royals picked him up and sent him to Northwest Arkansas for the 2008 campaign.
Trytten had a solid season for Lincoln in 2008, going 5-5 with an impressive 3.52 ERA in his 17 starts. He topped 100 innings pitched for the first time in his career, and held opponents to a .249 batting average. Ryan is in the midst of his third stint with the Saltdogs; he first pitched for Lincoln in part of 2003 and all of 2004, and started the 2007 season with the Saltdogs before being traded to Fort Worth. Trytten also made a name for himself in winter ball during the offseason, pitching in Australia and posting a 1.45 ERA in 11 appearances. Ryan also hit a couple of home runs during his time Down Under.
The 2009 Lincoln Saltdogs season begins on May 14 in Wichita, with the home opener scheduled for May 22 against Fort Worth. For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.
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