York Revolution - York, PA Baseball

REVOLUTION SIGN MAJOR LEAGUE ALL STAR SHEA HILLENBRAND
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Infielder To Help Poise York For Second Half Run

	Hillenbrand has played in 943 MLB games for the Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Giants, Angels and Dodgers

York Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone has announced the signing of free agent infielder Shea Hillenbrand. A seven-year Major League veteran, Hillenbrand is primarily a third baseman, but could also see time at first base and designated hitter.

Originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 10th round of the 1996 draft, Hillenbrand spent five years in the minor leagues with Boston, before making the Major League Roster in 2001. In his rookie season, the right-hander hit .263 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI. In his second Major League Season in 2002, Hillenbrand was selected to the American League All-Star team, hitting .293 with 18 homers and 83 RBI on the campaign. His production continued to grow in 2003, hitting 20 home runs with 97 RBI, between Boston and the Arizona Diamondbacks. On May 29 of that year, he was traded from Boston to Arizona in exchange for relief pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim.

After hitting .310 with 15 homers and 80 RBI for Arizona in 2004, Hillenbrand was traded again in the off-season to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Adam Peterson, and responded by hitting .291 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI. That effort earned Hillenbrand American League All-Star honors for the second time. He would spend the 2006 season split between Toronto and the San Francisco Giants, after being traded as a part of the deal that sent right-handed reliever Jeremy Accardo to the Blue Jays at the MLB trade deadline. In 2006, Hillenbrand slugged a career high 21 homers.

Last season, he appeared in 73 Major League games, beginning the season with the Los Angeles Angels after signing with them as a free agent. After his release on July 9, Hillenbrand signed with the San Diego Padres on July 27, and played in nine minor league games with Triple-A Portland before being released on August 8. On August 10, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, appearing in 20 Major League Games, and three games for Triple-A Las Vegas.

“We’re excited to have Shea joining our organization,” said Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone. “From speaking with him, he is also excited about utilizing the Atlantic League to get back to the majors. That’s his goal, but he is also going to improve our team and help us continue our good play. The fans in York will enjoy watching a player of his caliber and accomplishments.”

In 943 Major League Games, the 32-year-old native of Mesa, Arizona has 108 home runs, 490 runs batted in, and a .284 career average. Hillenbrand has 541 games of minor league experience, and has played in 1,484 professional games. His debut with the Revolution will be his first game action in the 2008 season.

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