Left-handed pitcher Ari Ronick has signed with the RailCats and will compete for a spot in the starting rotation, manager Greg Tagert announced.
Ronick pitched for five seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization, reaching Double-A. He began the 2013 season with the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League, but was released after two appearances in which he surrendered two runs in 2/3 of an inning.
In 2012, Ronick pitched for Double-A Richmond in the Giants farm system and was 1-2 with a 7.93 ERA in 35 appearances and one start, covering 36 1/3 innings. Ronick pitched very well during his time in Class A and High-A, including a career year in 2009. That season, he was 7-6 with a 2.65 ERA in 24 games and 23 starts. Ronick struck out 114 batters in 136 innings for Class A Augusta and led the South Atlantic League with a 1.07 WHIP while ranking second in ERA.
The Boulder, Colo. native was selected by the Giants in the 12th round of the 2008 draft out of the University of Portland. Ronick ranks third in school history in starts and fifth all-time in innings pitched.
The RailCats also signed infielder Brandon Gregorich, who they had acquired in a trade from Schaumburg on April 10. The RailCats will play their first home exhibition game on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. against the Evansville Otters (Frontier League) at U. S. Steel Yard.