MINERS DEAL SIMON FOR INFIELDER ROTH

MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have acquired infielder Tony Roth from the Evansville Otters in exchange for first baseman Scott Simon and a player to be named later.



Roth hit .378 with a .439 on base percentage in 10 games with the Otters in 2007. The former Yankees prospect spent the majority of the 2007 season with the Texas Rangers organization where he advanced as high as Triple-A.



“Tony is the definition of a ‘gamer’,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He can play excellent defense at multiple positions on the infield, and he plays the game all-out all the time. His ability to hit to all fields and his strike zone discipline gives us a lot of options. We really liked what we saw in him on the field against us at the end of last season. He is a great addition to the Miners lineup and I believe he has the skills to be an all-star caliber player for us.”



At Creighton University, Roth hit .322 over his four-year career with a .411 on base percentage before signing with the Yankees. He was twice named first team All-Missouri Valley Conference, an All-MVC Tournament selection in 2005 and Freshman of the Year in 2002. In 2007 he was named to the All-Time MVC Team along with fellow Miner Drew Moffitt.


Simon hit .264 for the Miners in 2007. He played in 62 games and his time was spent between DH and first base. It was the former Northern Illinois Husky’s first season in professional baseball.



“With Tim Dorn coming back from the Cardinals and Joey Metropoulos returning,” Pinto said, “it left Scott without a position here. I really wanted to find him a place to play every day. He is a wonderful young man and a very good hitter. I am proud that he wore our uniform and our entire coaching staff wishes him well.”



The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.