DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 2, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits outfielder Ronnie Mitchell has been named the Midwest League Player of the Week for his performance during the week of May 26-June 1, which included him being the first Quad Cities player since at least 1998 to homer in four straight games.
Mitchell, 22, is the second River Bandit to win Midwest League Player of the Week honors this season, joining shortstop Thomas Lindauer, who won the award for April 21-27 to become the first River Bandit named Player of the Week since Anthony Garcia won the honor for June 18-24, 2012.
In six completed games, Mitchell went a combined 9-for-22 with a double, four home runs, 12 RBIs, five runs scored, and two stolen bases. He began the week with five straight games with multiple RBIs, and matched a career high with four RBIs Friday against Beloit.
Mitchell began his home run streak with a two-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning Tuesday at Burlington. It put the River Bandits ahead 10-9, the score by which they won to begin a current five-game winning streak. On Wednesday, Mitchell added a solo home run in the seventh inning of a 9-5 win over Beloit. The Snappers held a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning Thursday, until Mitchell launched his third straight seventh-inning home run for a 2-1 lead and eventual win. On Friday, Mitchell hit his first career grand slam in the first inning to push the River Bandits' lead to 5-0 in what became a 7-3 win.
Mitchell, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, was selected by the Houston Astros out of Dallas Baptist University in the 38th round of the 2013 draft. In his first professional season, he hit .256 with two home runs and 30 RBIs in 59 games with short-season Class-A Tri-City.
This season, Mitchell joined the River Bandits from extended spring training May 1 and has played in 28 games as a left fielder and right fielder. His seven home runs lead the team this season, and his 22 RBIs were the most by a River Bandit in May. He initially set his career high with four RBIs May 22 against Cedar Rapids, before matching it Friday against Beloit. Since May 21, Mitchell has batted .361 (13-for-36) with six home runs, 18 RBIs and an .888 slugging percentage. Quad Cities has gone 8-3 in that 11-game stretch.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park at 6 p.m. Saturday with a Craig Biggio Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Prairie Farms and FOX18 for the first 1,500 fans. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, followed by a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
*****
