Category: T-Bones

Frias goes on disabled list; Cavan retires

As they return to action tonight at Sioux Falls after two days off, the Kansas City T-Bones announced they’ve signed infielders Ernie Banks Jr. and Sergio Leon.

Banks — no relation to “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks — is a 6-foot-4 and 260-pound infielder from Chesapeake, Va.

Banks, whom the Florida Marlins selected in the 44th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Norfolk State University, has spent the majority of his eight-year professional career in independent leagues. He played eight games this season with Garden State of the Can-Am League, batting .200. In 498 career games, Banks is a career .298 hitter with 545 hits, 66 home runs and 324 RBIs.

Leon is a 5-foot-10 and 175-pound rookie infielder from Miami. He hit .266 in 49 games, with 49 hits and 22 RBIs for Marshall University this past season. As Marshall’s shortstop, Leon committed 13 errors in 207 chances in 2015.

To make room for Banks and Leon, the T-Bones placed infielder Vladimir Frias on the disabled list due to an injury suffered Friday night against Winnipeg. Additionally, infielder Ryan Cavan has announced his retirement.
– Story from T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones announced that they have scheduled three doubleheaders in August against Joplin from games that were suspended and postponed against the Blasters in June.

The original series was being played in Joplin during June 15-18, but the games will be made up in Kansas City, Kan., since the T-Bones don’t return to Joplin this season and the Blasters have two series in August at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Wednesday, Aug. 5
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the T-Bones and the Blasters will conclude their nine-inning game that was suspended on June 16 in the bottom of the first with no score. Shortly after the finish, the two teams will play their game that was originally scheduled for Aug. 5, although it’ll now be seven innings.

Thursday, Aug. 6
Kansas City and Joplin are scheduled to play a doubleheader (two seven-inning games), with first pitch set for 5:30 p.m. The first game will be the make-up for June 17.

Friday, Aug. 21
Kansas City and Joplin are scheduled to play a doubleheader (two seven-inning games), with first pitch set for 5:30 p.m. The first game will be the make-up for June 18.

The gates will open at the normally scheduled time for all three dates, 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for all three dates are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
– Story from T-Bones

The American Association has announced that T-Bones infielder Ryan Cavan is the league’s Pointstreak Player of the Week for the week ending July 26.

Cavan, the T-Bones lead-off hitter who has a seven-game hitting streak after Sunday’s game, hit .586 (17 for 29), with four doubles, one home run, four RBIs and seven runs scored during the week. Additionally, Cavan struck out only four times in the seven games.

Cavan has had at least three hits in four of his last five games, including Thursday’s win over Winnipeg, when he tied a club record with a five-for-five performance.

During the week, Cavan’s average climbed 33 points (.318 to .351) and his slugging percentage shot up 50 points (.436 to .486). He currently leads the T-Bones in average, hits (78) and walks (33).

Cavan is the first T-Bones player to receive the league honor since July 2013. During that month, Devin Goodwin and Matt Padgett were selected as the Player of the Week within two weeks of each other.

After having Monday and Tuesday off, the T-Bones (32-25) begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday at Sioux Falls and then Winnipeg. The team returns home on Aug. 5 against Joplin.

– Story from T-Bones