(San Ramon, CA. January 12, 2011) The Chico Outlaws of the new North American League announced today that 1B/OF John Urick has had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs. The Outlaws were champions of the Golden Baseball League last season and have joined the new national North American League for 2011 along with all returning Golden Baseball League, Northern League, and United League teams.
Urick, 28, 6-3, 215 was a 22nd round pick by the Yankees out of Oklahoma State in the 2003 amateur draft. He rose through their system reaching AAA Columbus before being acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies. He spend three years in their farm system before being released from AA after the 2008 campaign. In 2009 he played in Sussex in the independent Can-Am League and was acquired by the Chico Outlaws as Team President Mike Marshall and Manager Garry Templeton were searching for a first baseman as they were assembling the pieces of what was to become the league championship team. He had a stellar year in Chico hitting .307 with 10 HRs in 68 games. Finding new discipline at the plate he walked 27 times and only struck out 30 times as he set single season personal bests in batting average, slugging average, and on-base percentage.
"This is a great opportunity for John and we wish him well with the Cubs," said Chico Outlaw's President Mike Marshall. "He was a key part of the championship team last year as he was a leader at the plate, on the field, and in the clubhouse and will be missed."
