ANAHEIM, CA--Former University of South Carolina Aiken star Adam Riggs has returned to Major League Baseball for the first time since May 2001, and it’s with the defending World Champion Anaheim Angels. The Pacer standout, originally drafted in the 22nd round by the Los Angeles Dodgers of the First-Year Player Draft in 1994, got the call up on August 14 from Triple A Salt Lake.

In Thursday night’s debut, Riggs went 1-for-3 in the Angels 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. He has since played on Saturday, going 0-for-2 with one walk and a run scored in an 11-7 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Riggs, 30, had previously played 21 games in the big leagues over his 10-year professional career. His first call up came when he was still a member of the Dodgers in 1997. He played in nine games, hitting .200 with one double, three runs scored, and one RBI. Nearly four seasons passed before Riggs would be called up again. This time, it was as a member of the San Diego Padres. Over a 12-game span, he went 7-for-36 for a .194 average with one double, one RBI, and two runs scored.

Once thought of as a highly coveted infield prospect, injuries have hampered Riggs throughout his career. After leaving LA and then San Diego, Riggs signed a free agent contract with the Angels during the off-season. Prior to his call up, Riggs was leading the Triple A Salt Lake squad with 79 RBI and a .300 batting average.

While on the road in Iowa, Riggs got a call into the hotel room of Mike Brumley, his Triple A manager and was informed of his move to the “The Show”.

“I was shocked,” said Riggs. “It’s just exciting. It’s always fun.”

Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia, who managed Riggs in Triple A Albuquerque in 1999, has always been impressed with Riggs’ bat.

“We’re looking for a little more bench strength,” said Scioscia. “Right now, the best bat down there is Adam Riggs.”

Riggs is expected to see some time at first base, second base, left field, and as a designated hitter.

At USC Aiken, Riggs was a Third-Team All-American, twice named NCAA South Atlantic Region First-Team, and in 1994, he was selected as the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year. In his two seasons, he led the Pacers to back-to-back Peach Belt Conference Tournament Titles, as well as a regular season championship in 1994 and an appearance in the 1993 NCAA Division II College World Series.

Riggs joins Atlanta Braves pitcher Roberto Hernandez as former USC Aiken Pacers currently in Major League Baseball.

NOTE: Some information obtained from story by Doug Miller of MLB.com.

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