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February 21, 2007 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks announced today that they have signed nine new players, five of whom have prior professional experience.
Pitchers E.J. Basta, Steve Bronder and Jeff Randol, catchers Chris Carbonaro and Justus Kimbrough, infielders John Day and Lenny Leclercq and outfielders Brandon Cohen and Cody Youngblood will join the team for spring training. Bronder and Leclercq have both played in major-league organizations.
Basta spent last spring with Missouri Baptist University, where RiverHawks manager J.D. Arndt was once hitting coach. Basta was an American Midwest Conference honorable mention last year. Basta broke into professional baseball last summer with a seven-game stint with the Gateway Grizzlies. He was 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA.
Bronder spent 2005-06 in the Chicago organization, where the Cubs used him primarily as a reliever. He was 4-2 with a 4.60 ERA and no saves in 60 2/3 innings last year at high Class A Daytona of the Florida State League. He has 1-Year status in the Frontier League.
Carbonaro is a true rookie. The Lewis University product spent spring training 2006 with Kansas City of the Northern League, but did not make the team.
Cohen was drafted by Minnesota in the 48th round six years ago, but elected to go to college. He hit .293 with eight home runs and 40 RBI last year as a senior at Seton Hall University. He homered against Louisville in his final collegiate game.
Day has spent the last two seasons with the now-defunct San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden League. Last season, he hit a career-best .309 with no home runs and a career-high 22 RBI in 207 at-bats. He has 1-Year status.
Kimbrough has rookie status. His lone professional experience came two years ago with the Richmond Roosters. He batted .236 with a home run and 11 RBI in 106 at-bats.
Leclercq spent the last three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rookie-level Arizona League affiliate and has 1-Year status. He hit .270 with no home runs and seven RBI in 74 at-bats at Maryvale last year.
Randol is a true rookie from Campbell University. He was 0-3 with no saves and a 7.26 ERA for the Camels last season.
Youngblood is a true rookie from Austin Peay State University. Last year as a senior, he batted .350 with four homers and 29 RBI and stole 25 bases. He was on the All-Ohio Valley Conference second team each of the last two seasons.
The RiverHawks are the Western Division champions of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 15th season in 2007. Advertising, season-ticket and suite information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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