After an MVP season, the contract to RailCats third baseman Tanner Townsend has been picked up by the Florida Marlins.

This will be Townsend's first shot in the Minor League system, as he has played only independent baseball since graduating from Western Kentucky in 2002.

Townsend had a breakout season in 2008 in which he hit a career-high .

371, had 14 home runs and 84 RBIs, earning Northern League Player of the Year honors.

The 28-year-old has played for the RailCats in each year that the team earned its way to the Northern League Championship Series, including winning rings in 2005 and 2007.

Townsend will join several former RailCats in the Marlins' system as pitcher Willie Glen played for the AA and AAA Marlins teams last season, while Anthony Iapoce and Andy Haines are hitting instructors in the franchise system.