The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Andy McCauley have signed infielder Jacob Blackwood to a contract for the 2009 season.

Blackwood, 23, joins Kansas City after spending the last three seasons in the Florida Marlins organization.  Blackwood was drafted out of Maple Woods Community College by the Marlins in the 16th round of the 2006 amateur draft.  He spent his first professional season with Jamestown of the New York-Penn League, batting .300 with 16 doubles, a triple, home run and 32 RBI in 69 games.  Blackwood advanced to Single-A Jupiter last season and played there until his release earlier this month.

“Jacob is a local kid that should give us a solid option in the infield,” said McCauley.  “He’s an exciting player that we look forward to seeing in a T-Bones uniform.”

A native of Platte City, Missouri, Blackwood made his debut on June 25 in a doubleheader against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.  He made the start at third base in game one, finishing the contest two-for-three with an RBI.  He collected his first hit with Kansas City in his second at bat, a single to center against Andrew Cruse.  In game two, Blackwood went one-for-three with a run scored while earning the start at second base.