03/22/2005 1:08 PM - Cody Nowlin, who hit .282 for the Kansas City T-Bones as their starting left fielder in 2004, has been re-signed to a 2005 contract, the team announced Monday.

Nowlin, 25, was originally a second round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 1998. A native of Fresno, Cal., Nowlin spent four years in the Rangers system and was rated the #25 prospect in their system in 2001 before a shoulder injury hampered his progress.

Nowlin batted a career-best .282 in 2004 for the T-Bones, hitting eight home runs while driving in 51. His contributions to the 2004 club were large, with his biggest hit coming on August 5 against Joliet, a two-run ninth-inning triple that sent the T-Bones to their eighth win in a row.

"We're excited to have Cody back for 2005," said T-Bones Manager "Dirty" Al Gallagher. "He's got a ton of talent and our fans will have the chance to see him display it all summer long."