Adelaide Bite signs US shortstop Mikey Reynolds ahead of Australian Baseball League season
ADELAIDE Bite recruit Mikey Reynolds is targeting a championship challenge in his first Australian Baseball League campaign after becoming the SA club’s latest US import.
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ADELAIDE Bite recruit Mikey Reynolds is targeting a championship challenge in his first Australian Baseball League campaign.
The US shortstop was unveiled as the SA club’s latest import on Thursday, as the countdown to next month’s season start ramped up.
Reynolds, 28, joined Adelaide from Sussex County Miners where he recorded a batting average of .335 – the second best in Can-Am League – earlier this year.
He said helping transform the Bite from wooden-spooner to title contender, while putting himself in the shop window for a return to a Major League affiliate, were his targets.
“My goals for the season are simple,” said Reynolds, who was drafted by Atlanta Braves in 2013.
“I want to be the best shortstop in the league and I want to win a championship.
“My goals for 2019 are to get picked up by an affiliated team again and have a chance at the big leagues next year.
“I want to go out and play my hardest every day and to learn from my mistakes whenever I make them.”
Reynolds spent two years in the Braves organisation, before being signed by St Louis Cardinals in 2015 and briefly playing Double-A Minor League ball.
The former Texas A&M college right-hander took a year away from the sport, before returning to independent league action in 2017.
He said discussions with Bite manager Chris Adamson and general manager Nathan Davison convinced him to sign for the club over one of its ABL rivals.
“It was between Adelaide and Canberra,” Reynolds said.
“Chris and Nathan took the time to both get on the phone with me to express their want for me to be an everyday guy.
“That’s what made me sign with Adelaide.
“I’ve had buddies who’ve played in the ABL, so I’ve heard of the league.
“From what I’ve heard it’s a great league with good competition and there’s opportunities to get picked up out of this league.”
Reynolds was due to arrive in SA early next month ahead of the Bite’s November 15 round-one meeting with Brisbane Bandits.
His signing came after Adelaide secured Australian international pitcher Greg Mosel for another season.
Originally published as Adelaide Bite signs US shortstop Mikey Reynolds ahead of Australian Baseball League season
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