Sports stats

AtL Lancaster Stormers

Albers Heads Back to Twins

April 29, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Both of Lancaster's starting pitchers in the doubleheader at Southern Maryland last Saturday have now been signed by Major League organizations.

Left-hander Andrew Albers, who fired a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in the opener of that twinbill, was signed by the Minnesota Twins earlier today and is headed to their Class AAA affiliate in Rochester, NY.

The second game starter, Phil Coke, signed with the New York Yankees on Monday.

Albers, 30, yielded a leadoff walk to Southern Maryland's Gary Brown and a one-out single in the second to Bryant Nelson. He retired the final 16 batters in the game after picking Nelson off first base. The Barnstormers won the game, 3-0.

The left-hander from Saskatchewan signed originally with the San Diego Padres out of the University of Kentucky. He had "Tommy John" surgery his first professional season. He revitalized his career through the Can-Am Association as that league's Relief Pitcher of the Year with Quebec City in 2010.

Minnesota signed Albers for the 2011 season, and he quickly advanced through the system, getting to Rochester by 2013. Albers went 11-5 for the Red Wings, then made his big league debut on August 6, 2013, throwing 8 1/3 shutout innings in a win over Kansas City. In his next start, he fired a complete game, two-hitter against Cleveland. He has not won another Major League game.

Albers spent last season with Buffalo, the Class AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, with one promotion to the big leagues.

"Andrew was tremendously impressive that first start," said Barnstormers manager Butch Hobson. "His signing does come early, but that's what we are here to do. He's a terrific man, and we wish him the best."

His spot in the starting rotation will be taken by left-hander Brandon Bixler. Bixler, 24, spent three seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization. He was 7-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 41 relief appearances for Class A Cedar Rapids in 2014. Last year, he opened the season back with the Kernels and went 1-1 with a 6.30 ERA in eight games out of the pen.

Bixler signed with Bridgeport late in the season and went 0-3 with a 4.25 ERA. He yielded only 23 hits in 29 2/3 innings of work while walking 12 and striking out 24.

The southpaw from Oviedo, FL is expected to make the start for the Barnstormers on Friday night in the second game of a four-game series against Somerset.

Check out the Lancaster Stormers Statistics



Atlantic League Stories from April 29, 2016


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.

Other Recent Lancaster Stormers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central