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Cards sign two independent leaguers

by El Hombre on Dec 10, 2006 5:39 PM EST

"The St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder Ian Church from the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League. Church, the League's MVP, is the Cards' second independent league player added this week, following his former teammate, catcher Chris Grossman." - scout.com

Both 25 yrs old and had some solid offensive numbers last year.

Church comes out of the blue and puts up some very nice numbers last season after doing not much of anything in his first 3 years of the ind leagues. I guess 31 homers and .1048 ops is nothing to blink at even if it is just the independent leagues.

Grossman has had some solid seasons at USC. He is listed as a DH/C so one might speculate hes not much of a catcher...

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Chris-Grossman.shtml
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/Ian-Church.shtml

Probably will end up being nothing more than fillers, but when there is nothing else going on baseball wise its something to talk about.

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Cool...

Josh Kinney was a frontier leaguer, and he turned out well.

Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Dec 10, 2006 6:06 PM EST reply actions

It's always a nice story

when players of this type (like Kinney) actually end up making it to the bigs. Good luck to both of 'em.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Dec 10, 2006 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder what level they will be assigned too

at that age, they're almost too old to be real prospects anymore so I hope they enter into the AA club at least.

by azruavatar on Dec 10, 2006 6:45 PM EST reply actions

High A or AA per Scout.com

My feel is why not add a few people that essentially cost you nothing. Its not like our minors are "stocked" as is. Good couple of signings imho.

by Lawless on Dec 10, 2006 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

I really dont see where they fit..

We already have a ton of OF types in the high minors.

by El Hombre on Dec 10, 2006 7:05 PM EST reply actions

Ian Church

Had some wicked home run numbers last year, even if it was frontier league, 31 HR's is still impressive

by gopher100 on Dec 10, 2006 8:32 PM EST reply actions

Maybe

The Terry Evans of 2007. Not the bases stealing threat, but if he can do well at A+/AA, who knows.

by liam on Dec 10, 2006 9:44 PM EST up reply actions

Not too shabby

No harm in solidifying the minors. Hopefully these guys will appreciate the chance and run with it.

by DD502DK on Dec 11, 2006 12:10 AM EST reply actions

Terry Evans

Maybe he'll hit some HR's and we can deal him for a need sown the stretch like Evans for Weaver.

"I only am who I am because I was born that way. I have a gift and I'm trying to not be selfish about it, but to use it, OK? Jealousy will get you nowhere!"

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Dec 11, 2006 10:48 AM EST reply actions

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