MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Talented Pitcher From '08 Draft Joins Cougars; Hamblin Inactive

Published on June 23, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the Oakland Athletics, have announced that Oakland's 2nd round draft pick, right-handed pitcher Tyson Ross has joined the Cougars. Ross arrived in Chicago yesterday evening and joined the Cougars this morning for the start of an eight-game road trip that begins in Davenport, Iowa tonight. Ross is the first of what is expected to be a handful of '08 draftees to make their professional debut in Kane County this season. Also, infielder Danny Hamblin has been placed on the inactive list while outfielder Todd Johnson has been activated from the disabled list.

Ross, a native of Oakland who grew up an A's fan, was the 58th overall pick in June's draft and played collegiately for three seasons at the University of California. A 2008 preseason All-American by Baseball America, Ross was 7-4 and struck out 66 in 78.1 innings this spring. Ross' 271 career strikeouts ranks third on the Golden Bears' all-time strikeout list and his three-year totals include a 19-14 overall record and a 3.20 ERA in 44 appearances - all of which were starts. As a sophomore in 2007, Ross received the Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the nation's top fielding collegiate pitcher. Also in '07, Ross pitched for the USA National Team, posting a 4-1 mark and a 0.82 ERA. Prior to his time at California, Ross was part of the USA Junior National Team in 2004 and 2005.

Hamblin (10th Rd, 2007) moves to the inactive list after joining the Cougars on May 25. In 22 games this season for the Cougars, Hamblin was batting .145 with 6 RBIs and launched his first home run in a Kane County uniform this past Saturday against Clinton.

The Cougars also welcome back outfielder Todd Johnson to the active roster. Johnson (14th Rd, 2006) was placed on the disabled list on May 23 with a right shoulder injury suffered the previous day against Burlington. This season, Johnson is batting .263 with 4 home runs and 22 RBIs. Despite having missed nearly a month of game action, Johnson's 22 RBIs ranks third-best among Cougars players.

The Cougars (3-1 second half, 42-30 overall) embark on their first road trip of the season's second half and their longest tour away from Geneva so far in 2008. Cougars pitcher Scott Mitchinson (5-2, 1.60 ERA) takes the ball for Kane County in a 7 p.m. contest against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park.

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