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CLEBURNE, Texas (Mar. 8, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Friday the signing of right-handed pitcher Charlie Gillies. Gillies was originally acquired by the Railroaders as part of a 12-player trade with the Wichita Wingnuts on October 5, 2018.

Gillies joins the Railroaders with seven years of professional experience, three in affiliated baseball and four at the independent level. Last season with Wichita, Gillies made 16 starts, finishing 7-7 with a 4.80 ERA in 90.0 innings of work. The 28-year old issued 29 walks while striking out 91, including a stretch of three out of four starts in July with double-digit punchouts. He was named American Association Pitcher of the Week on June 18, after his first two starts with Wichita yielded just one run over 13.0 innings pitched.

“There’s no question that getting Charlie signed was one of our biggest priorities this offseason,” manager Brent Clevlen said. “His sinker is one of the best in this league, but last year he had some stretches where he commanded the strike zone with all of his pitches and it took him to another level. We look forward to having him in our rotation in 2019.”

Gillies was a 2012 tenth round pick of the Detroit Tigers out of The Master’s College, where he dominated opponents as a senior to the tune of a 2.17 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 99.2 innings. The native of Valencia, Calif., worked his way up the Detroit organizational ladder over the next three seasons, beginning at short-season Connecticut in 2012. Gillies earned promotions to Class-A West Michigan in 2013 and High-A Lakeland the following year, operating almost exclusively as a starter. Over 29 total games and 28 starts, Gillies compiled a 3.86 ERA in the Detroit system, before moving to the independent ranks in 2015.

The righty started that season in the American Association with the Amarillo Thunderheads, making three appearances before suiting up for Trois-Rivieres of the Can-Am League. With the Aigles, Gillies put together his best season, going 6-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 2015. He started the 2016 campaign with Trois-Rivieres, then joined the Normal CornBelters of the Frontier League and posted another 6-4 mark with a 3.99 ERA. In 2017, Gillies made 20 starts for Normal, finishing 7-10 with a 4.25 ERA. For his career, Gillies owns a 28-40 record with a 4.29 ERA in 98 starts.

The signing gives the Railroaders a total of 23 players under contract for the 2019 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which opens on May 4.

The 3rd season of Railroaders baseball and the club’s pursuit of its first division title kicks off with a four-game home series against the Sioux Falls Canaries, beginning on Thursday, May 16. For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.