Winnipeg Goldeyes centre fielder Reggie Abercrombie (JEFF MILLER PHOTO)
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are bringing back centre fielder and home run kingpin Reggie Abercrombie for a fifth season.
The RBI king and two-time champion currently holds the American Association career record for both home runs (115) and RBI (474).
Manager Rick Forney made the blockbuster announcement Wednesday night during the season’s debut episode of “The Inside Pitch” radio show.
Abercrombie was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 23rd round in 1999 as a draft-and-follow pick. The Columbus, Georgia native homered twice and drove in 10 more runs in nine post-season games, and is one of only eight players in franchise history to win multiple championships.
The Fish also announced right-handed pitcher Mikey O’Brien cleared waivers and is now a free agent, while left-handed pitcher Mitchell Lambson has signed with the Mexican League’s Pericos de Puebla. O’Brien spent two seasons with the Goldeyes, and was a combined 20-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 44 appearances. Lambson re-signed with Winnipeg on February 12, and was 7-3 with one save and a 3.98 ERA in 61.0 innings last year.
The Goldeyes now have 16 players under contract for the 2018 season.
