ALL-STAR JUAN KELLY RETURNING TO AIGLES
Manager Matthew Rusch got 2023 off to a strong start when he came to terms with third baseman Juan Kelly.
The 28-year-old Dominican will therefore play a third season with the Aigles de Trois-Rivières, after the 2019 and 2022 campaigns. Last summer, the former Toronto Blue Jays prospect once again proved to be a pillar of the Trois-Rivières line-up, both defensively and offensively.
In addition to being a solid defender at third base, Kelly was brilliant at bat with a .313 average in addition to slamming 27 doubles, 11 homers and producing 61 runs. His brilliance even earned him an invite to the Frontier League All-Star Game.
For manager Matthew Rusch, Kelly's return was at the top of his offseason priority list. "We are really happy to announce the return of Juan. We love him and he loves playing in front of our fans in Trois-Rivières. He is a star player and his return means a lot to our organization. Juan is always a popular player in the locker room. He is a leader in our team and his contribution on the field is colossal. I can't wait to start the 2023 season with Juan at the heart of our line-up!" This major signing is in addition to that of the Aigles' MVP last year, Louis-Philippe Pelletier.
The Aigles' training camp will get under way towards the end of April for the team's second season in the Frontier League. The first game is scheduled for May 12 as the Aigles visit the Tri-City ValleyCats. Then, the home opener will take place on May 23 when the Lake Erie Crushers will visit Stade Quillorama.
