 | PC: Quad Cities River Bandits |
|
NEWARK, N.Y. – Head coach Chris Haynes has announced the hiring of former Le Moyne College teammate and St. Louis Cardinals draft pick Chris Edmondson as an assistant coach for the Newark Pilots of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).
“(Haynes) and I were really good friends at Le Moyne and we hit back-to-back in the order for most of our time there," Edmondson said. "We work really well together. I am excited to get to Newark and to compete, and see what we can do together."
“I am very excited to bring Chris on as my assistant because I know he is very knowledgeable and had a very successful playing career in college and professionally,” Haynes said. "He's one of the best hitters I've ever played or coached with and he will be a great asset to the Pilots this summer."
Edmondson, 27, spent three seasons in the St. Louis organization after being selected by the Cardinals in the 43rd round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He then became the first player in the history of the Rockland Boulders of the independent Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League) to have his contract purchased by a major league club in 2013, and he ended his pro career that year with the Atlanta Braves' Class A affiliate in Rome, Ga.
The Johnson City, N.Y., native began building his impressive résumé at then-Division I Le Moyne from 2007-10. Edmondson slugged his way into the Dolphins’ record books, and sits atop the charts with the most career home runs (44), RBIs (178) and total bases (425). As a sophomore in 2008, the 6-0, 200-pound outfielder was crowned an American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Third-Team All-American, the Division I Independent Player of the Year and an ABCA First-Team All-Northeast Region selection after hitting .367 with 14 home runs, 22 doubles, five triples and 64 RBIs.
Edmondson batted .266 with 162 RBIs, 153 runs and 27 homers in 279 career games between rookie ball and Class A Advanced as a St. Louis prospect. He spent the first half of his rookie season with the Johnson City Cardinals, the eventual 2010 Appalachian League champions, before moving up to the Batavia Muckdogs. In 2011, he helped Quad Cities win the Midwest League championship alongside a flock of highly-touted prospects, including current major leaguers Kolton Wong, Carlos Martinez and the late Oscar Taveras. That year, he led the River Bandits with six triples while hitting a career-high 10 homers.
"I learned so much during my time in professional baseball," Edmondson said. "I want to give all the information that I have to these kids trying to get to the next level because that was my dream and I lived it."
The Newark Pilots return to Colburn Park for their 2015 home opener on Friday, June 5 against Mohawk Valley. For more information and to purchase season tickets, contact Pilots president Leslie Ohmann at 315-576-6710 or visitwww.newarkpilots.com. Fans can like the Pilots on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newarkpilots, and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @NewarkPilots for the latest information.
