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AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Add Three Including Ex-Big League Lefty

April 3, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers continue to build toward Opening Day and the beginning of their title defense with the signing of three new players, it was announced today by manager Butch Hobson.

Among the trio is Pennsylvania native Zach Jackson, who spent a portion of three seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers.

Lancaster has also inked utility infielder Tyler Bortnick and outfielder Kevin Rivers for the 2015 season.

Jackson, 31, was Toronto's first round draft choice in 2004 after a successful collegiate career in which he won 27 games for Louisville and Texas A & M. The left-hander won 16 games in the Blue Jays' organization in 2005, his first full season. Milwaukee acquired him in a five-player swap that sent outfielder Lyle Overbay to Toronto that winter, and, on June 4, 2006, the southpaw made his big league debut against Washington.

He went to Cleveland in 2008 and, following a late season call up to the Indians, he threw three consecutive quality starts that included wins over Boston and the Chicago White Sox.

Overall, the Greensburg native went 4-5 with a 5.81 ERA in 22 appearances (17 starts) in the big leagues. He last appeared with the Indians in 2009.

During the last five seasons, Jackson has returned to Toronto, then moved to Texas, Kansas City and Washington, pitching at the Class AA and AAA levels. He was a 13-game winner at Class AAA Round Rock, winning six of his last seven starts that season.

Jackson also served as a closer with Class AA NW Arkansas in 2012, reeling off 18 saves in 33 appearances.

Last year, he was a combined 2-3 with a 4.99 ERA for Class AA Harrisburg and Class AAA Syracuse.

"(Zach) gives us an experienced guy out of the bullpen," said Hobson. "He is a low =BE throwing specialist, but he has also had success in other roles, too."

Bortnick, 27, is primarily a second baseman but has played short, third and the outfield in his career. Originally signed by Tampa Bay in 2009, the Ohio native batted over .300 and finished among the top five in his league in stolen bases each of his first three seasons in the Rays' system and won the Florida State League stolen base crown with 43 while batting .306 for Charlotte in 2011.

During the 2012 season, he was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade that sent infielder Ryan Roberts to Tampa. He has spent the past 2 1/2 seasons with Class AAA Reno and batted .291 there in 2013.

Last year, Bortnick, a former college teammate of Lancaster's Pete Andrelczyk at Coastal Carolina University, hit .224 in 41 games for the Aces.

He had six at bats for the Diamondbacks in the spring of 2015.

"Bortnick is just a gritty infielder," added Hobson. "He doesn't have a lot of pop in his bat, but he can drive in runs, plus he gives us some speed."

Rivers, 26, signed with Seattle in 2009 and spent six seasons in the Mariners' organization. The Connecticut native finished third in average (.332) and fourth in homers (11) in the Northwest League in 2010. Three years later, he was second in both doubles (36) and RBI (97) in the California League.

Last year, following a hot start in which he had a grand slam and 16 RBI in April, he finished at .231 with 34 RBI for Class AA Jackson (TN).

"Rivers is a big, strong left-handed bat," Hobson said. "He can run and play all three outfield positions. I've been told we're really going to like him."

Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Adam Reifer, who previously signed with the Barnstormers, has been acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their eleventh 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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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.

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