Joliet Catholic Star Ryan Quigley Signed By Washington Nationals

Former Joliet Catholic Academy star and Slammers’ closer Ryan Quigley is headed to the New York-Penn League as he was signed Monday by the Washington Nationals’ organization.

“I had a tryout for them in late February and they liked my stuff,” Quigley said. “They couldn’t sign me right away out of spring training but something opened up. I’m happy to be the first one signed out of the Slammers’ organization and don’t think I’ll be the last.”

Quigley, 26, spent last year in the Frontier League with the Windy City ThunderBolts and went 3-4 with a 4.74 ERA in his first healthy year coming off Tommy John Surgery. This season, everything clicked with the Slammers for the right-hander. He was 0-1 with a 1.08 ERA in nine appearances as he tallied six saves.

“Being consistent, being a little older, having been around the game awhile really helped me,” Quigley said. “I clicked really well with pitching coach Carmen Pignatiello. He’s been in that situation in the big leagues. This game is 90 percent mental and he’s been a huge resource.”

The departure of Quigley leaves the Slammers looking for a new closer but the entire purpose of the organization is to get players into affiliated baseball.

“We could not be happier for Ryan,” Manager Bart Zeller said. “He did this through hard work and we are really excited to track his career as he moves through the Nationals’ system.”

Quigley threw out the first pitch at Monday’s game and will start playing for the Auburn Doubledays when their season begins on June 17.