Former Royal Pickering Signs With T-Bones Pickering, 30, finished 2004 second in the Pacific Coast League with 35 home runs before his promotion to Kansas City, where he hit seven home runs in 122 at-bats. Pickering was originally a 35th round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 1995. Pickering has spent time at the major league level with Baltimore, Cincinnati, Boston and Kansas City totaling 95 Major League games. “Calvin Pickering is obviously a proven bat that will make an impact immediately,” said T-Bones manager Andy McCauley. “We are looking to get a lot of production out of him hitting in the middle of the lineup with (Mario) Delgado. I’m sure many Major League organizations will be at CommunityAmerica Ballpark this season scouting Calvin.” McCauley said he intends to use Pickering primarily as a designated hitter but could see some time at first base. Pickering is a lifetime .299 minor league hitter with 206 home runs and 700 RBIs. In 264 Major League at-bats, he hit 14 home runs and driven in 45 runners while hitting .233. – Kansas City T-Bones – |