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FL River City Rascals

The Band Is Back Together

April 29, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


Along with winning Frontier League Championships, the Rascals' top priority is helping its players advance their baseball careers. Last season the Rascals found more success than ever in attaining its goal; a team record seven players had their contracts purchased by Major League teams in 2014. Three of those young men are returning to River City this season.

The Oakland Athletics purchased Josh Ludy's contract on July 22 last season. The catcher hit .362/.450/.714 with 16 homeruns and 50 RBI in 51 games with the Rascals before joining the Class A Beloit Snappers. The A's organization was the second big league system in which the righty played. Ludy was drafted in the eighth round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 and spent two seasons in its system before joining the Rascals. Ludy looks to reassume his role on the Rascals as the starting backstop and one of the key contributors at the plate.

Taylor Ard is also returning to River City after splitting last year with the Rascals and in the Arizona Diamondbacks system. The D-Backs decided to purchase the infielder's contract on July 17 after he hit .338/.404/.544, nine homers, and drove in 33 runs in 50 games. Ard played at three different levels in the Arizona organization, reaching as high as Class A South Bend. The right-hander was drafted three times and eventually signed with the Mariners after being selected in the seventh round. He spent two seasons in the Mariners system before joining the Rascals. After resigning this offseason with the Rascals, Ard will return as the starting third baseman in River City.

Dane Stone is returning to the Rascals rotation this year. The big righty was 3-1 with a 0.93 ERA in five starts with the Rascals last season. His five starts were enough to make the Chicago White Sox purchase his contract in June last year. With the Rookie league Great Falls Voyagers, Stone made 15 starts and posted a 6-3 record and 3.99 ERA. He rejoined the Rascals in April and figures to be a key cog in the starting rotation in 2015.

Four other Rascals had their contracts purchased last season and are still playing in affiliated ball: RHP Ben Bracewell (A's), RHP Ray Hanson (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), INF Matt Reida (Tampa Bay Rays), and RHP Trey Lambert (Texas Rangers).

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Frontier League Stories from April 29, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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