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MARION, IL – The Southern Illinois Miners announce the addition of two power arms for their bullpen in Brandon Hardin and Eric Green.
Hardin, a right-hander who was born in Carbondale, Illinois and grew up in Pinckneyville, was originally drafted in the 10th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Over 103 professional appearances that saw him advance as high as Double-A Birmingham, he compiled an ERA of 3.77.
His 2014 season was split between Birmingham and the White Sox’s A-Advanced affiliate in Winston-Salem. At Winston-Salem, he had an ERA of 1.86 in 19 games, striking out 19 in 19 1/3 innings while allowing just 16 hits. Overall, Hardin pitched in 40 games last year, picking up eight saves and finishing 30 games.
“Brandon comes to us having had some very good success in the White Sox organization,” Miners manager Mike Pinto said. “Reports from their front office people are very strong and we believe he can be an impact guy with his power arm in the latter part of games. He has also been a teammate of some former Miners who confirm what a fit he could be for us.”
Green, a southpaw from Deland, Florida, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 36th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft from Embry-Riddle University. Over two seasons in the Orioles organization, split between their Gulf Coast League Rookie-level affiliate and their Short-Season Class-A team in Aberdeen, Eric had an ERA of 2.97, striking out 36 in 30 1/3 innings while surrendering just 20 hits.
“Eric can fill an important role for us this season,” Pinto added. “He has experience as an important match-up guy against important lefties in the lineup. He also has a power arm with effective off-speed stuff. We have reports from the Orioles organization telling us that Eric can be a very effective bullpen arm for us. I am looking forward to seeing him in the spring.”
