Former Gary SoutShore RailCats Most Inspirational Player Yuki Matsumoto started the season there, going 9-for-50 (.180) in eight games before joining the WhiteWings.

Matsumoto, 25, made his professional debut with the ‘Cats two seasons ago, playing in only 12 regular season games but earning the respect and admiration of his teammates as a hard worker and dedicated teammate.  In his limited action, Matsumoto was effective at the plate, going 8-for-32 (.250), including three doubles.  Matsumoto’s best game came May 25 in Fargo when he drove in a career-high five runs to pace a RailCats win.

After being traded to the Golden League in late 2008, Matsumoto appeared in 11 games for the Calgary Vipers last summer, batting .278 (5-for-18) and scoring a pair of runs.  This winter, however, Matsumoto found his offensive stride in the Arizona Winter League for the Yuma Scorpions, batting .333 with seven extra-base hits and 13 RBI in only 20 games.