Miners Acquire Ernie Banks

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have acquired all-star first baseman Ernie Banks, one of the most feared hitters in the Frontier League, to their roster in a trade that sends all-star outfielder Stephen Holdren and reliever Derrick Miramontes to the River City Rascals.


Banks finished fourth in the league in batting average in 2009 with a .353 mark and led the league with a .668 slugging percentage. It was the former Marlins draft pick’s first season in the Frontier League. Despite only playing in 77 games, his 24 home runs ranked him fifth in the league as he was voted to the league’s postseason all-star team. Including shortstop Tony Roth and outfielder Joey Metropoulos, the Miners now have three of the nine hitters from that all-star list on their current roster.

“This is as big a deal as we have done with the Miners,” Manager Mike Pinto said. “And it’s a great trade for both teams. It brings us a bonafide middle of the order power hitter. Ernie not only hits for power but also for average and on-base percentage. Just as important, Ernie plays the game with intensity and with a will to win. He is very competitive, and I believe he will flourish here this season. As an LS-2 in our league, this is a great pick up for us.”

Banks hit .296 with a pair of home runs, five RBIs and 10 walks in nine games against Southern Illinois last year. In eight playoff games with the Rascals he hit .375 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He is a career .328 hitter with a .407 on-base percentage and will be 24 on Opening Day.

The Miners traded for Holdren this past July. Overall he hit .311 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs in 2009. The three-time all-star has 63 career home runs, fifth most in Frontier League history. However, he has played more than three full professional seasons, which gives him a veteran status in the league, and prior to this trade the Miners were over the league limit of three veterans.

“I am a big fan of Stephen Holdren,” Pinto said, “and really don’t like trading him. I like him both personally and professionally. Unfortunately we have too many vets and are forced to move him. I wish him the best.”

Miramontes signed with the Miners as a rookie out of the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2009 but appeared in only seven games before he was traded to Shreveport-Bossier of the American Association. There he went 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 innings. He was reacquired by the Miners three weeks ago.

“I really didn’t like giving up Derrick in this trade,” Pinto said. “We really liked him, but the only way River City could do this deal was with a young arm included, and in the end I had to look at what is best for the Miners. I have confidence that Derrick will have success over there.”

The Miners will open the season on May 20 at home against River City.