GARY, Ind. — Former Chicago Cubs draft pick Bear Bay has signed with the RailCats, bringing a veteran right-handed starter to the pitching staff. The 28-year-old is entering the tenth season of a career that has spanned every level of the minors, including a full season in Triple-A last year.

Bay spent 2011 with the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. He was 8-11 with a 5.19 ERA in 28 games, including 25 starts. The innings eater tossed over 159 innings, striking out 95 and walking 40.

"There aren't many starting pitchers available at any level of professional baseball who can make a significant impact on the club’s success and be a difference-maker; Bear is in that elite group," RailCats manager Greg Tagert said.

The Houston, Texas native was selected by the Cubs in the 25th Round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Bay pitched in the Cubs farm system in 2003 and 2004 and had a career-high 11 wins and 139 strikeouts for Class-A Lansing in 2004. He spent the next two years in the Cleveland Indians organization between High-A and Double-A, and also made one start in Triple-A. In 2007, Bay pitched for the Texas Rangers’ High-A ballclub.

Bay moved to independent baseball in 2008, joining Gary’s league-rival Winnipeg for two seasons and then pitching for Joliet in 2010. In that season, his last facing similar competition to the American Association, Bay was 10-5 with a 3.08 ERA.

Bay has appeared in 200 games and thrown over 1,100 innings in his minor league career. His career record is 73-61 with a 4.00 ERA and he has struck out 7.4 hitters per nine innings pitched.

Gary has signed 19 players for the 2012 season. A maximum of 28 players may be under contract during the pre-season and the active roster may hold up to 22 players once the regular season begins.

The RailCats will open the 2012 season on May 17, with the Home Opener on Friday, May 25 at 7:10 p.m. against the Wichita Wingnuts at U. S. Steel Yard.