Three Newcomers Join Barnstormers Pitching Staff

Former New York Mets organization right-handers Jose Sanchez and Tim McNab and left-hander Daniel Brauer, who spent the past four seasons in the Philadelphia system, all come to the Atlantic League for the first time in their careers.

Sanchez, 25, won 10 or more games in a season three times in the Mets minor league system, including a career-best 13 with Class AA Binghamton in 2008, finishing second in the Eastern League in that category. The Venezuela native fired 133 or more innings in four consecutive seasons before being limited to only 81 2/3 innings of work last season due to illness. He recovered during this past winter and was 4-0 with a 3.24 ERA for Magallanes in the Venezuelan League. Sanchez has a career strikeout/walk ratio of 2.5.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing (Sanchez) compete," said Herr. "He was showing great promise two years ago before being sidetracked by mono(nucleosis) last winter. His outstanding performance in the Venezuela Winter League indicates that he is back in top form."

McNab, 29, was signed by the Mets in 2002 out of Florida Atlantic University where he was a teammate of 2009 Barnstormers outfielder L.J. Biernbaum. The Florida native pitched largely in relief in the Mets system, including a portion or all of four seasons at the Class AAA level, including a 5-4 mark and 4.03 ERA at Buffalo in 2009. Of his 300 career appearances, 198 have come at the Class AA or AAA level. McNab has a career strikeout/walk ratio of 2.4.

"All reports indicate that (McNab) is a strike throwing 'bulldog' reliever that I think will really solidify the bullpen," Herr continued. "I see him as a key setup guy to get us to the end of games."

Brauer, 26, pitched for former Barnstormer pitching coach Bill Bliss at Class A Batavia in 2006 and went 3-4 with a 1.96 ERA in 10 starts and one relief appearance, allowing only 39 hits in 55.0 innings while striking out 65. The former Northwestern Wildcat has pitched largely in relief the last two seasons for Class A Clearwater in the Florida State League.

"Finally, (Brauer) is a hard throwing left-hander with strikeout stuff," Herr added. "He has shown to be very difficult to hit when on, and we are counting on him to be one of our starters."

The Lancaster Barnstormers open the 2010 Atlantic League season at Long Island on Thursday, April 22. On Friday, April 30, the curtain rises on the sixth season at Clipper Magazine Stadium as the Barnstormers host division rival York Revolution at 7 p.m. Season ticket packages may be purchased via www.lancasterbarnstormers.com or by calling the team offices at 717-509-HITS.

The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their sixth season as a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Home games are played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit LancasterBarnstormers.com for more information.

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Atlantic League Stories from March 23, 2010

• Giannotti & Grube Return, Crabs Sign Two More - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
• Three Newcomers Join Barnstormers Pitching Staff - Lancaster Barnstormers
• Bears Bank On Willie - Newark Bears
• Somerset Patriots Welcome Back Their Big Three - Somerset Patriots

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.