ELKVILLE, IL - The Springfield Sliders have signed a 2019 contract with a 2018 Preseason All-American (Central Region HM), 19-year-old, Brendan Ryan, a slick-fielding shortstop from Leawood Kansas and a freshman at SIU-Edwardsville.

According to Perfect Game, the highly touted prospect is the #2 ranked shortstop in Kansas and #10 overall prospect in the Sunflower state. Ryan bats left and throws right and is a nationally Top 500 ranked prospect.

Ryan at 6'0" and 180 pounds, has a medium frame, lean and athletic build with room to fill out as he matures physically. He is quick to the ball, has good range, fielding position, works through the ball to first base and throws consistently with accuracy.

In his junior year at St. Thomas Aquinas the team set a school record with a 16-4 season, with Ryan hitting .320 on the season and being named to the Second Team - All-East Kansas League, (EKL).

Ryan has distinguished himself playing summer ball for the Advance Baseball Academy, Florida Pokers Upperclass Carolina, and Royals Scout Team, earning All-Tournament Team honors three times and being named to the 2016 Florida Underclass Showcase Top Prospect Team.

In Ryan, Springfield has a quality shortstop to shore up Slider's defense up the middle.

PHOTO CREDIT - SIU Edwardsville Athletics