The Evansville Otters have finalized a deal to send infielder Christopher Riopedre to the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League for a player to be named later.
“Chris expressed an interest in playing closer to home so we agreed to terms with Rockland,” Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “Chris was instrumental in our championship season in 2016.
“We will miss him but it’s what he felt he needed to do.â€
The Otters acquired Riopedre, a Miami, Fla. native, before the 2016 season from Joliet after spending the previous two years in the Washington Nationals’ organization.
In 93 games with Evansville last season, Riopedre batted .261 with 90 hits and 47 RBIs. He accounted for 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs. He also stole 22 bases while being caught only seven times.
“The team was amazing,†Riopedre said. “It was a great experience and I wish the Otters the best of luck.
“If they ever need anything from me again I’ll be right there because I enjoyed my two years playing for Andy and I want them to succeed.â€
A Frontier League All-Star selection in 2016, Riopedre helped Evansville win the franchise’s second league title later that season when he scored the only run in a 1-0 win over River City in Game 5 of the Frontier League Championship Series.
Riopedre played collegiately at East Tennessee State University and was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft by the Nationals. He played for the Auburn Doubledays from 2014-15 before arriving in Evansville.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Season tickets and group outing packages are on sale now for the upcoming 2018 season. For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call 812-435-8686.
