Former North Park catcher Tony Sanchez signed a contract to play professional baseball with the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League Friday afternoon.

Sanchez, a native of Plainfield, Illinois who was also an All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Second Team selection, an ABCA All-Central region First Team selection and an ABCA Second Team All-American for the Vikings this past season, had a team second-best .384 batting average, including a team-best six home runs and 15 doubles as well as two triples and 59 runs batted in, a mark that ranked fourth in the nation. What's more, is his 108 total bases ranked 29th and his 71 total hits ranked 21st. He was named CCIW Hitter of the Week March 27 and was a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases.

“Tony has worked very hard for this opportunity.  I am extremely happy for him to be continuing his baseball career beyond the collegiate level,” said North Park head coach Luke Johnson. “He has had a remarkable season so far and now will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the country.  He will be a great addition to for the Slammers this season.  Everyone from the North Park family will be following Tony and wishes him nothing but the best.”

The Joliet Slammers have been a member of the Frontier League since the 2011 season. They are the defending Frontier League champions after defeating the River City Rascals 3-1 in the League Championship Series last September. Sanchez is the second former North Park player to sign with a team in the Frontier League this season as former catcher Zach Deutscher signed with the Rascals earlier this year.