Matthew “Matt” Fields #35

League: The Frontier League - Southern Illinois Independent Prof.Baseball

Team: Miners Southern Illinois

Position: 1st Baseman & Right Fielder

College: Green River Community College

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Height: 6’05

Weight: 245 lbs.

Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington

Date of Birth: July 08, 1985

Matt was drafted in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Rays straight out of Rainier Beach High School, Seattle Washington where he set numerous school records. He was the 44th round picked in the 2004 June draft, but opted to attend one year at Green River Community College as a draft and follow.

In college Matt was named to the NWAACC All-Conference Team, as a 1st baseman and also named to the 1st team as a freshman in 2005.

June 2005, Matt signed with the Tampa Rays organization where he played six years with the Rays Farm System. He first year of professional baseball with Princeton of the he batted .255 with the Appalachian League Matt knocked 8 home runs, 35 RBIs, 10 doubles, 45 hits and 29 runs scored, alongside his OPS in 45 games. Matt has 83 career home runs and was named the # 1 power prospect amongst the Rays organization. He spent the last couple of years in the Rays AA team in Montgomery, Alabama where he led the team in homers.

2006, Matt played with Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York Penn League where he batted .241, with 7 homers, 17 doubles and 29 RBIs. He stole 4 bases in 6 attempts…Was teammate of Major Leaguers Josh Hamilton and Evan Longoria.

2007,  In his stint year with single A Columbus, Matt blasted 19 home runs with 71 RBIs, 23 doubles, 89 hits, 44 runs scored and career-high .758 OPS in 100 games in 100 games played. In this season he helped lead his team to a SAL league championship.

2008, Matt was promoted to high "A" league Vero Beach of the Florida State League. He was ranked 4th in the league with 18 home runs, 57 RBIs, 110 hits and 62 runs scored. Alongside his .698 OPS mark, he also stole 9 bases a career high. Was a teammate of Rays ace David Price during his first pro season.

2009, Matt began the season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, High “A” affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit.259 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 51 games with Charlotte then promoted to AA Montgomery on 6/9/09. Matt hit 246 with five runs and 32 RBIs in 77 games with the Biscuits/combined between A and AA batted .252 with 16 total home runs, 77 RBIs and 62 runs scored to go along with his .708 OPS and 197 total bases.

2010, Matt began the season with Montgomery Biscuits, AA affiliated of the Rays in the Southern League where he hit .303 with 5 home runs in the month of April-After 61 games with Montgomery sent to Charlotte (Fla.)of the Florida State League for 6 games then the Gulf Coast League for 6 games, before returning to the Biscuits on 8/4/10..Led Montgomery with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs despite playing in only 87 games.

2011, Matt entered the Frontier League an independent professional baseball league, and signed with the Joliet Slammers, prior to spring training he was traded to Southern Illinois Miners with the Joliet for a player to be named on 5/17/11.

Matt is a excellent power hitter, and has improved his strike outs. He has become a strong contact hitter. His stats continues to climb and capture the coaches and scouts attention. It's a matter of time, before he reach the Major League level or is playing in Japan.