Righthanded Pitcher John Bannister is a local product who graduated from Sabino High School in Tucson in 2002.  The Texas Rangers signed Bannister as a non-drafted free agent that same year, and he went on to spend six seasons in the organization.  He surpassed the 100 strikeout plateau in both 2005 when he punched out 127 and in 2006 when he fanned another 115.  John was added to the Rangers 40-man roster and was invited to their Major League Spring Training in 2009, where he posted a 3.38 ERA in 3 appearances.  He reached as high as Triple-A in the Rangers organization before being claimed off of waivers by the Kansas City Royals.