LINCOLN — The Saltdogs lured some experienced weaponry to Haymarket Park Thursday, signing Triple-A veteran infielder Kevin Howard for the 2014 season.
In 1,174 professional games, Howard sports a .283 batting average with 102 home runs and 585 RBI. The 32-year old has logged 364 career games at the Triple-A level, at which he played most recently for Las Vegas (Blue Jays) in 2012.
Howard spent 2013 with Lancaster (Atlantic League), his first Indy ball stint, where he hit .237 with five home runs and 28 RBI in 84 games.
The Hinsdale, Ill. native has also reached Triple-A in the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres and Cardinals organizations. Howard has played Double-A ball for the Reds and Yankees, and spent time in the Phillies organization as well.
Howard was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth round of the 2002 MLB draft out of the University of Miami. In 2004 for the Reds Class-A Advanced affiliate, Howard hit .286 with 11 home runs and 79 RBI to earn Carolina League All-Star honors.
An 11-year veteran of professional baseball, Howard has split his time primarily between second base and third base. He has also seen plenty of action at shortstop and first base, and played five games in the outfield.
The Saltdogs begin the 2014 season May 15 at Kansas City, with the Haymarket Park opener May 23 against Winnipeg. Be sure to get your Pick 5 – five upper reserved tickets to games of your choice for just $45 – today at www.saltdogs.com or by calling 402-474-2255.