Jimmy Van Ostrand is now in the Washington Nationals' organization.
The 27-year-old Richmond native had his contract purchased by the Nationals after beginning the season with the expansion Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has been assigned to the Harrisburg Senators - Washington's AA class farm team - where he is batting .297 in five games.
VanOstrand is the first position player in Skeeters history to have his contract purchased by an MLB organization. The third baseman held a batting average of .368 including 35 total hits hitting eight doubles, one triple and three home runs along with 20 RBI in 27 games played.
He was originally drafted by the Houston Astros organization in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB Draft.
After spending four years in Double-A Corpus Christi, VanOstrand decided the Atlantic League was in his best interest. He signed with the Skeeters in April.
"This organization was phenomenal to me in my time with the Skeeters," VanOstrand said. "This is a fantastic model for minor league baseball to follow, and I thank them for all their help."
Manager Gary Gaetti has dealt with major league clubs signing his players before. This is the third overall signing for the Skeeters in their inaugural season.
"I am very happy for Jimmy," Gaetti said. "He did a great job at the hot corner for us these first few weeks of the season, but the goal is to not only win, but keep these guys on a path to the big leagues. We can only hope he continues to succeed."
