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York Revolution

Revs Unveil Latest Preseason Signings

April 9, 2010 - Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release


(York, Pa.): The York Revolution have added some final pieces to the 2010 preseason roster, with four signings, and a trade announced today by manager and director of baseball operations Andy Etchebarren. The team has inked former major league pitcher Frank Gracesqui, catcher/infielder Charlie Lisk, All-Star catcher Salomon Manriquez, and catcher Dustin Spruill, while acquiring reliever Jerry Dunn via trade. In addition, four non-roster invitees will appear in camp.

Gracesqui reached the major leagues with the Florida Marlins in 2004, and returns to the Atlantic League for a third straight season. He appeared briefly with Newark in 2008, and Southern Maryland last year, where he did not allow an earned run in four late-inning outings. His Blue Crabs stint came after a dominating stretch in the United League last summer, where he posted a 0.63 ERA and recorded seven saves for Laredo. The 30-year-old lefty is also an imposing presence on the mound, standing at 6'5".

Lisk gives the Revs versatility both behind the plate and at the corner infield positions. He began last season in the Atlantic League with Bridgeport where he batted .288, before returning to the Frontier League with the Gateway Grizzlies. The 26-year-old has been a feared hitter in the Frontier League the past two seasons. In 2008, he batted .313 and finished second in the league with 24 homeruns in just 87 games. Last season, the South Carolina native hit .282, while pounding a career-high 28 homers and 82 RBI in just 84 games. He ranked third in the league in homeruns, and second in RBI. Lisk also has spent time in the White Sox, Marlins, and Padres organizations.

Manriquez was an Atlantic League All-Star last season after batting .311 for the Newark Bears. His average finished sixth best in the league, tops among catchers, and stood as high as .367 on July 12. In addition to serving as the Bears' starting catcher, Manriquez saw time at first base, left field, right field, and designated hitter. He had spent the previous three seasons at Double-A with the Nationals, Rangers, and Mets, and was signed after attending the Revs' open tryout on Saturday, April 3.

Spruill is just 22 years old, and joins the Revs after appearing in three games last season for Southern Maryland. The switch-hitting backstop made his pro debut, after wrapping up his college career at Auburn University.

Dunn's rights were acquired from Southern Maryland in a trade for future considerations. The right-hander has led the Can-Am League in saves with 24 each of the past two seasons, and has combined to notch 66 saves the last three years, with a combined 1.89 ERA. That includes a miniscule 0.92 mark in 2007. Dunn appeared in the Atlantic League with Newark in 2004, after beginning his career in the Detroit Tigers organization. The 28-year-old is entering his 10th pro season.

The signings bring the Revs' total of signed players to 27 for the 2010 season, with the following four non-roster invitees also on their way to York:

Local product Nathan Starner will join the Revs in camp. The left-handed pitcher from Hanover pitched at Biglerville High School and Shippensburg University before signing on with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he spent the past four seasons. Starner posted a 4.23 ERA at Double-A New Hampshire last year, and dominated two Single-A levels in 2008, combining to submit a 1.76 ERA that season. The 25-year-old owns a career 3.50 ERA, pitching as both a starter and reliever for Toronto.

Right-handed pitcher Wardell Starling attended the Revs open tryout, and will return for spring camp. Starling is a former fourth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, reaching Double-A Altoona for two seasons. The Houston native turned in a 2.80 ERA in 15 starts for the Curve in 2006, and owns a career 4.58 minor league ERA. He pitched in the same rotation as Revs lefty Brian Holliday while in the Pirates system.

Righty Emmanuel Vazquez was also seen at the tryout, and will report to Revs spring training. The 25-year-old Puerto Rico native was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2003, and last pitched for the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2007.

Rounding out the batch is right-handed pitcher Stephen MacFarland. The 24-year-old has pitched in the American Association the past two years, and also has time in the Pirates and Giants farm systems. The 2010 season will be his fifth in professional baseball.

"We like the fact that we're bringing this many quality players into camp," said Revs director of player procurement Michael Kirk. "Competition for jobs is a good thing in gearing up for the season."

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