The Gary SouthShore RailCats have officially transferred right-handed pitcher Leif Strom’s contract to the New York Yankees.
In his three appearances this season as both as starter and reliever, Strom shut down American Association hitting. Through 15.1 innings of work, he sported a 1.76 earned run average with 21 strikeouts, only three earned runs allowed, a 12.3 strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio, and a 1.11 WHIP. His ERA ranks sixth in the league while his strikeout total places him tied for fifth.
Originally from Puyallup, Washington, the Washington Nationals selected Strom in the 21st round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft, and he spent four years in their organization, reaching as high as the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals last season. While in Fredericksburg, he combined with two other pitchers to throw the first no-hitter in franchise history against the Salem Red Sox on August 14th, 2021.
Strom is the first RailCats player to have his contract transferred to an MLB organization and the third in the American Association this season. Gary SouthShore has now transferred 38 player contracts throughout its 21-year history with two players, Tim Byrdak and Nathan Haynes, having reached the Major Leagues.
