GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats have pulled another trade in an offseason full of deals, shipping the rights to infielder Andrew Pinckney to the Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association in exchange for the rights to left-handed pitcher Randy Beam.

Beam, 27, returned to professional baseball after a two-year hiatus in 2009 and was one of the American Association’s top pitchers, going 10-7 with a 4.54 ERA.  Beam ranked second in the league in victories and was fifth on the circuit with 93 strikeouts in 119.0 innings of work.  The southpaw made 20 starts and held opposing hitters to a .260 average and boasted a very impressive 1.34 WHIP.

A native of Sarasota, Florida, Beam was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th Round of the 2004 Major League Entry Draft our of Florida Atlantic University, and played for three seasons in the affiliated minor leagues.  Beam spent the majority of his time at Double-A Portland where he carried a 2.34 ERA in 34 relief appearances in 2005.

Pinckney, 27, was acquired by the RailCats from the Joliet JackHammers in August of last season but did not see action for the ‘Cats because of injury.  The Atlanta native was also a Red Sox farmhand who advanced as high as Portland (AA) during his affiliated career.

The RailCats open the 2010 season Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard against the Kansas City T-Bones, but the first chance to see the ‘Cats will be at the second-annual Fan Fest, Saturday, February 20 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.  Discount presale tickets for Fan Fest are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.