The Kansas City T-Bones are happy to announce that the contract of 2010 Northern League MVP Jacob Blackwood has been purchased by the San Francisco Giants.

Blackwood, who nearly captured the league’s first Triple Crown since 2000, led the league in home runs (31) and RBI (86), and finished third in batting (.331) during the 2010 campaign. In a breakout season, he established career highs in nearly every offensive category and played 99 of 100 games for the T-Bones at second base. Blackwood, who headed into the season with only five career games at second base, committed just nine errors over 415 total chances (.978 fielding percentage). Offensively, he also led the league in hits (141), runs (82), total bases (271) and slugging percentage (.636).

“This is well deserved after the season Jake had,” said T-Bones manager Tim Doherty. “With Justin James and Blackwood each having their contracts purchased this season, it is a good example of how the Northern League and the T-Bones are able to provide an opportunity for players to earn the chance to pursue their dreams of playing in the major leagues.”

Blackwood was originally selected by the Florida Marlins in the 16th round of the 2006 amateur draft and played parts of four seasons in their organization. He was also drafted in the 40th round of the 2005 draft by the New York Mets, but did not sign. Blackwood signed with Kansas City as a free agent on June 25, 2009 and played 63 games for the T-Bones in 2009. A native of Platte City, MO, Blackwood attended Platte County High School before playing collegiately for Maple Woods Community College.

In addition to representing the Northern League in the 2010 All-Star Game, he was also honored as the Player of the Month in August and received Player of the Week honors on three different occasions this season: May 31, July 25, and August 15.

This is the 20th time a T-Bones player has been signed by a major league organization since Kansas City's inaugural 2003 season.