Hagins, Four Others Join RedHawks
FARGO, N.D. — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks signed five players Wednesday with just over two months to go until the start of the 2020 American Association Regular Season. Included in the signings are infielder Stewart Ijames, pitcher Robbie Gordon, pitcher Bradin Hagens, pitcher Cory Taylor, and infielder/outfielder Justin Wylie. The RedHawks also sent pitcher Sebastian Kessay to the Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League) to complete an earlier trade.
Kessay, 26, who spent the past two seasons with the RedHawks, was traded to Gateway to complete an earlier transaction in which Fargo-Moorhead acquired Garcia and pitcher Taylor Purus from the Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League) in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations.
Ijames, 31, was acquired in February from the Kansas City T-Bones. He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 29th Round of the 2010 MLB Draft and played four seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system, reaching the Triple-A level in 2017, before joining the Texas AirHogs in 2018. The Owensboro, Ky. native appeared in 181 games for the AirHogs before being dealt to Kansas City late in the 2019 season. In seven seasons of professional baseball, Ijames has a lifetime .276 average, 570 hits, 342 RBIs, and 102 home runs.
Gordon, 26, was originally selected in the 36th Round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis, Mo. native spent three seasons in the Cardinals organization, reaching the Class A-Advanced level with Palm Beach in 2018, before joining the Boulders in 2019. As a senior at Maryville University in 2016, Gordan pitched a perfect game for the Saints against Hillsdale College. He went 5-2 last year in 42 appearances for New York with a 3.04 ERA and 59 strikeouts.
Hagens, 30, brings MLB experience to the RedHawks after spending most of 2019 in the Arizona Diamondbacks system with the Triple-A Reno Aces. Hagens started the year with the RedHawks before having his contract purchased by Arizona. He reached the Show in 2014, appearing in two games for the Diamondbacks. Originally drafted by Arizona in the Sixth Round of the 2009 MLB Draft, Hagens is preparing for his 12th season of professional baseball. The Modeston, Calif. native pitched for two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hiroshima Carp (2016-17) before returning stateside in 2018. At all levels over his 11-season career, Hagens is 61-60 with a 4.26 ERA in 335 appearances.
Taylor, 26, comes to Fargo-Moorhead after spending the past five seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization. He played three seasons for Dallas Baptist University before being drafted in the Eighth Round of the MLB Draft by San Francisco. Taylor reached the Triple-A level with the Sacramento River Cats last season. Taylor worked under RedHawks manager Jim Bennett when he played for the Brisbane Bandits this offseason in the Australian Baseball League. Cory Taylor is 26-18 with a 3.54 ERA and 309 strikeouts in 86 career minor league appearances (346.0 IP).
Wylie, 23, will start his professional baseball career with the RedHawks in 2020 after finishing his collegiate career with the Arizona Wildcats last season. The Chandler, Ariz. native played three seasons for San Diego State before transferring back to his home state for the 2019 season. He hit .341 with 37 runs scored and 37 RBIs in 46 games for the Wildcats last year. Wylie also spent a summer playing for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League in 2016. He brings a dynamic presence capable of playing multiple positions to the RedHawks lineup.
COUNTDOWN TO…
Exhibition Opener, May 9: 52 Days
Home Exhibition Opener, May 12: 55 Days
Opening Day, May 19: 62 Days
Home Opener, May 26: 69 Days
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED FOR 2020
P Brent Jones
P Tyler Pike
IF Correlle Prime
IF Leobaldo Pina
C Wilfredo Gimenez
IF Carlos Garcia
NEW SIGNINGS FOR 2020
OF Grant Heyman
P Jackson Sigman
IF Ivan Marin
P Patrick Boyle
IF Sherman Graves
P Ryan Richardson
IF Trey Hair
P Todd Van Steensel
OF Stewart Ijames
P Robbie Gordon
IF/OF Justin Wylie
P Bradin Hagens
P Cory Taylor
By Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Staff