McBride sent to Colorado as part of blockbuster trade
Posted: 07/31/2011
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Former Lehigh standout Matt McBride and three other minor league prospects were part of a blockbuster trade announced Saturday night that sends them from the Cleveland Indians to the Colorado Rockies for All-Star pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. The deal is pending a physical. The only position player involved in the trade, McBride will likely be assigned to Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Along with McBride, the Rockies received pitching prospects Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and Joe Gardner. McBride, Pomeranz and Gardner were all teammates at Double-A Akron.
McBride has dominated after being reassigned to the Aeros on July 22, hitting .400 (12-for-30) in eight games with two home runs and four doubles. He has posted multiple hits in six of those contests, including this past Thursday when he homered twice in a 7-4 win over Erie. For the season, McBride is hitting .297 for Akron with 14 home runs and 53 RBI. He also played 12 games at Triple-A Columbus where he had a home run and two doubles.
A first baseman, McBride can also catch and play the outfield. A veteran Rockies’ club includes 37-year old Todd Helton as its major league first baseman and 30-year old Mike Jacobs as its starting first baseman at Triple-A Colorado Springs.