Barnstormers Add Outfielder, Catcher
Published on March 8, 2012 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
The Lancaster Barnstormers have inked outfielder Fehlandt Lentini and catcher Francisco Hernandez to 2012 contracts, it was announced today by manager Butch Hobson.
Lentini, 34, is a career .311 hitter in the minor leagues. Originally signed by the Houston Astros in 2001, the right-handed swinging outfielder advanced to Class AA Round Rock by 2003 before leaving the Houston system.
Since then, he has spent time north of the border in Calgary and Winnipeg and south of the border with Tijuana and Nuevo Laredo. Lentini finished among the top ten in his league in batting three consecutive seasons (2005-07). He topped the Frontier League in triples in 2004 and led the Northern League in that category in both 2006 and 2008. In addition, the California native won the Northern League stolen base crown for Winnipeg in three consecutive years (2006-08). Lentini has amassed 364 stolen bases in his 11 professional seasons.
Last year, he batted a combined .307 with 38 doubles, seven triples, six homers and 64 RBI for Winnipeg and Amarillo in the American Association. Lentini was also able to swipe 24 bases.
He hails from the same city (Santa Rosa) and the same college (Sonoma State) as returning Atlantic League MVP Tommy Everidge. The two are close friends.
"Lentini is an aggressive outfielder with a strong arm and some speed," said Hobson. "He will really help to solidify us out there."
Hernandez, 26, signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2004 and batted .326 for Bristol of the Appalachian League his rookie season. The following year, after starting with Class A Kannapolis, he went to Great Falls of the Pioneer League where he batted .349 in 58 games. Hernandez, a native of the Dominican Republic, was an All-Star catcher that season and also in the Class A South Atlantic League in 2007, when he hit .277 for Kannapolis.
The switch hitting receiver parted with the White Sox following the 2008 season and played for Las Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League for three years before returning to the United States with Rio Grande Valley of the North American League last year.
"Hernandez is a good catch-and-throw guy who can swing the bat," said Hobson.
The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their eighth 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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- Barnstormers Add Outfielder, Catcher - Lancaster Stormers
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