Miners Pitcher Picked up by Cardinals
By: Heartland Sports
MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners announced the Cardinals have purchased the contract of all-star pitcher Ryan Bird.
The Potomac, Illinois native will report to the team's spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida this weekend where he will officially sign with the team.
The 24-year old Bird will pitch in the Cardinals instructional league this fall and be invited to Cardinals spring training in 2009.
Bird led the league with 13 wins and 152 strikeouts. His 152 strikeouts were the second highest in the 16 year history of the Frontier League.
Bird began his professional baseball career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007 where he posted a 5-3 record and a 1.80 ERA in 22 total relief appearances with the Jays' Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League affiliates.
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