TYLER REICHENBORN SIGNS WITH ST. LOUIS
Former Freedom outfielder’s contract purchased by Cardinals
SAUGET, Ill– While the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, are in the St. Louis area for a weekend series with the Gateway Grizzlies, the nearby Cardinals took notice of young, Tyler Reichenborn (20), signing the outfielder to a minor league contract, the club announced late Saturday.
Reichenborn graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2019, winning the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho while taking home the gold glove award for his heroics in center-field. Turning pro immediately, the twenty year old arrived in Florence on June 11.
The Brooklyn Park, Minn native made the transition to the professional game seamlessly, hitting .319 (23-72) with 3 home runs and 15 RBI in 20 games. In the penultimate game of his Freedom career on July 7, Reichenborn launched his first multi-homer game (2) against Lake Erie, as part of a 4-5 day at the plate that included 4 RBI.
The outfielder made an immediate impact in his Freedom debut on June 11, scoring, or driving in every run Florence earned in a 3-2 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers in 12 innings at UC Health Stadium. In addition, Reichenborn gunned a runner at the plate in extra frames, helping keep the opposition off the board as the Freedom rallied to win it in the next half inning.
“Tyler came in and made an impact on our club immediately,” Freedom manager, Dennis Pelfrey, said, “Not very often does a 20 year old kid come into professional baseball and hold their own. He’s going to have a very long and successful career in baseball and we wish him nothing but the best. Don’t be surprised if you see Tyler in Major League Baseball in the next 4 years.”
Previously drafted in the 35th round, pick 1,064 by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, Tyler elected to bet on himself and stay in school, believing this opportunity would present itself again.
Reichenborn becomes the second Freedom player to sign with a Major League affiliate in 2019, joining right-handed pitcher, Frank Valentino who was purchased by the Mets on June 27. Florence has now sent ten players on to minor league organization’s since 2017, and 42 players total in franchise history.
The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and play all homegames at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at florencefreedom.com, or by phone at (859) 594-4487.