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CLEBURNE, Tex. (Jan. 20, 2020) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Monday the signing of catcher Blake Grant-Parks.

Grant-Parks was re-acquired from the New York Boulders on October 28 after a career season in the Can-Am League. The 26-year old set new personal bests in batting average (.327), on-base percentage (.375), and slugging percentage (.510) for an .885 OPS. Grant-Parks added career highs in walks (17), doubles (16), home runs (10), RBI (44) and runs scored (35). The 10 home runs doubled Grant-Park’s career total from his first five professional seasons.

Operating primarily as the Boulders designated hitter and backup catcher, Grant-Parks threw out eight of 48 opposing baserunners (17%) while committing seven errors for a .966 fielding percentage. The native of Yuba City, Calif., also played nine games in the outfield for New York and made four appearances on the mound, striking out six in five innings of work.

Grant-Parks was a fan-favorite with the Railroaders during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, hitting a combined .284 with four home runs. The right-handed hitter led Cleburne with a .312 average in 2018, but was limited by injuries to 42 games.

Prior to his time with Cleburne, Grant-Parks spent parts of three seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, splitting time between the Rays Gulf Coast League affiliate and Rookie-level Princeton. The 6’2, 200-pounder was a two-time draftee of the Tampa Bay organization, first out of Yuba City High School in the 28th round in 2011, and then again out of Cal State Monterey Bay in the 39th round in 2014. Grant-Parks began his college career at Sierra College in Rocklin, California before transferring to Monterey Bay for his junior season.

The signing of Grant-Parks gives the Railroaders three players under contract for the 2020 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 7.

2020 Signings

INF Alay Lago

C John Nester

C Blake Grant-Parks

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.