IRVINE, CA --- Carrying a 2.08 ERA and a 2-2 record into the all-star break in the Frontier League, former Eagle hurler Richard Barrett has been signed to a contract extension by the Windy City Thunderbolts after posting 26 strikeouts in 30.1 frames for the Gateway Grizzlies.

Barrett is halfway through his first year in the Frontier League, a professional independant league located in the Midwest.

He is hoping to join the 19 former Frontier League players who have played in the Major Leagues, including current Los Angeles Dodger lefty George Sherrill and former Anaheim Angels releiver Brendan Donnelly, who picked up a win in the 2002 World Series.

Barrett's former teammate Cameron Bayne, a 13th-round draft choice by the Chicago White Sox in 2009, has picked up six wins in 102.1 innings as a member of the Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators so far in 2010.

Meanwhile, 24th-round pick Bennett Whitmore has logged 11 innings over five appearances for the Pulaski (VA) Mariners in his first year of Rookie Ball action.