Bodishbaugh signs with Chicago White Sox

Chris Bodishbaugh became the fourth Victoria Seals player to sign with a major-league organization on Monday by securing a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox. Bodishbaugh went 1-3 with a 3.30 ERA in a whopping 40 appearances with the Seals last year -- all but three of which were in relief. His late-season performance was a big help in getting Victoria into their first pennant race in franchise history. Setting his first four appearances aside, "Bodi" had a sparkling 2.35 ERA in his last 36 games.

Bodishbaugh struck out an impressive 8.2 batters per nine innings in 2010, but a big reason for his improved performance was that he gave up fewer homers (0.9 per nine) and walks (4.1 per nine) than he did in his first season with the Seals. In a difficult 2009, Bodishbaugh sported a ugly 5.91 ERA. As I wrote before spring training opened this year:

Looking forward, it’s quite possible that Bodishbaugh could have a break-out season in 2010. Given his age and relative inexperience at the professional level, he’ll benefit greatly from the tutelage of pitching coach Kip Gross and the three members of the pitching staff with big-league experience (Brandon Villafuerte, Jason Kershner and Phillip Barzilla). The key for Bodishbaugh will be to cut down on the walks (4.4 per nine innings in 2009) and the homers (1.4 per nine innings). If he can do that then he just might put together a nice little season.

The previous three Seals to sign with a big-league organization were Austin Bibens-Dirkx (Cubs, 2009), Isaac Hess (Red Sox, 2009) and Sergio Pedroza (Dodgers, 2010).

Congratulations, Bodi!