Newark Bears Sign 2 for 2007 - Independent, Atlantic League

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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - NEWARK, NJ – April 23, 2007 – The Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced they have agreed to terms with New Jersey stars, right-handed pitcher Bobby Brownlie , and infielder Corey Smith for the 2007 season. Both players have joined their teammates in Newark for spring training, as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Brownlie was originally drafted in the first round, 21^st overall, of the 2002 draft by the Chicago Cubs following three standout seasons at Rutgers University. He began his professional career with Daytona of the Florida State League making 13 starts posting a 5-4 record, striking out 59 batters in 66 innings of work. With West Tennessee of the Southern League in 2004, the New Jersey native set career highs with 26 games started, nine wins, 147.1 innings pitched, and 114 strikeouts. Brownlie finished first in the league with two complete games and fifth with a 3.36 ERA.

While pitching for the Scarlet Knights during his freshmen year in 2000, Brownlie led the team with 15 starts and 89 strikeouts. He is currently ranked in the top three in four career categories including first with seven career shutouts and 235 career strikeouts, second in complete games with eight, and third in innings pitched with 265.1.

Smith was originally drafted in the first round, 26^th overall, of the 2000 draft by the Cleveland Indians out of Piscataway High School. After spending the majority of his career at the double-A level, Smith reached the triple-A level in 2004 with Buffalo of the International League. In 2006, the South Plainfield resident began spring training with the Bears before signing with the Chicago White Sox, spending the campaign with Birmingham of the Southern League. He played in 120 games, scoring 46 runs, driving in 52, while hitting 19 doubles, and 12 home runs. While playing for Columbus of the South Atlantic League in 2001, Smith played in 130 games, batting .260. He set a career high and was third in the league with 85 RBI, while hitting 18 home runs, and was rewarded for his strong play with a spot in the SAL All-Star Game.

During his senior year at Piscataway High School in 2000, Smith became an All-County and All-State Player, while accepting the awards of First Team All-American and New Jersey High School Player of the Year.