The Lexington Legends of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) have added their fourth former Cincinnati Reds player to their roster after acquiring seven-year Major League veteran. J.J. Hoover, from the Kansas City Monarchs (American Association).
“It is a great feeling to have another guy with Major League experience choose to join the Legends.” Legends President & CEO Andy Shea said in a press release. “I’m sure plenty of fans remember J.J.’s electric pitching with the Reds in Cincinnati. We’re very excited to see him on the mound at Lexington Legends Ballpark.”
The Reds selected Hoover in the 10th round of the MLB Amateur June Draft in 2008, out of Calhoun Community College (Decatur, AL). The 6-foot-3, 240-pound righthander has pitched in 290 MLB games and boasts a career 4.17 ERA with 294 Strikeouts.
The Legends’ will add Hoover to their roster on Tuesday, June 22nd as the team takes on the Lancaster Barnstormers. He will join former Cincinnati teammates Brandon Phillips (player/part owner), Tony Cingrani, and Jordan Pacheco on the Lexington squad.
The Legends, new to the association, are 10-4 and lead the South Division by two games over the High Point Rockers in the first half of the Atlantic League campaign.
— Jerry Del Priore
