ThunderBolts' hurler Shawn Phillips signs with Florida Marlins
Crestwood, IL - The Windy City ThunderBolts professional baseball team has announced that right-handed pitcher Shawn Phillips had his contract purchased by the Florida Marlins. Phillips will report to spring training in February and is expected to compete for a role in the starting rotation for the Marlins' South Atlantic League affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
Phillips completed the 2007 regular season with an 8-4 record and 2.45 ERA (fourth in the Frontier League). He led the Frontier League in strikeout-to-walk ratio, striking out 100 batters while walking only 12 in 121.1 innings. Phillips' 100 strikeouts ranked third in the League, while his 12 walks were the fewest among starting pitchers last season.
Phillips started three of the ThunderBolts' 2007 playoff games, notching a 2-0 record and 2.45 ERA with 20 strikeouts against only three walks in 23 innings. Phillips' victories included a 5-0 shutout of the Rockford RiverHawks in game 2 of the Divisional Series and a 10-3 win over the Washington Wild Things in the fifth and deciding game of the Frontier League Championship Series, bringing the ThunderBolts their first title.
Phillips was acquired from the River City Rascals last December in a trade for outfielder Anthony Albano. In seven games (four starts) for the Rascals in 2006, Phillips recorded a 3-0 record and 0.86 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. A 20th round draft pick out of Delaware State University by the Texas Rangers in 2004, Phillips made his professional debut with the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League, finishing with a 6-1 record, 3.93 ERA, and 55 strikeouts in 18 games (10 starts).
"Shawn is very deserving of an opportunity and I think the Marlins are the perfect fit for him," commented ThunderBolts' field manager Andy Haines. "He was a huge asset to our 2007 championship, and will leave some big shoes to fill. Shawn was a great teammate, very coachable, and was a true professional in every sense of the word."
The Windy City ThunderBolts are entering their tenth season as members of the Frontier League. The ThunderBolts play at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood and will look to defend their Frontier League Championship starting next May. For more information, please contact the ThunderBolts at 708.489.2255 or visit
Windy City Thunderbolts.