Barnstormers Ink Three Lefty Starters
Published on February 19, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed three left-handed pitchers that are targeted for the 2014 starting rotation, it was announced today by manager Butch Hobson.
Southpaws Clayton Tanner, Jay Voss and Dan Osterbrock will all be seeing their first Atlantic League action when the season opens on April 24 at Sugar Land, TX.
"Left-handers have success in our league," said Hobson.
Tanner, 26, is a native of New South Wales, Australia, who grew up in California. Signed by the San Francisco Giants with their third round draft choice in 2006, Tanner won 10 or more games in three consecutive seasons from 2007-09 and nine more in 2010, posting an ERA in the low-to-mid 3.00's each year. Late in 2011, the lefty was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds after San Francisco designated him for assignment, and he re-signed with the Reds for the 2012 season. He returned to the San Francisco organization later in 2012 and did not pitch in the US last season.
"Clayton will be one of our starters," said Hobson. "He is a two-time 40-man roster guy who is a known competitor."
Voss, 26, hails from Illinois. The lanky left-hander signed with Florida in 2007 and later pitched in the Detroit and St. Louis farm systems. He was a full-time starter in the Tigers chain in 2011, posting a 12-7 record split between Class A Lakeland and Class AA Erie. He yielded only 129 hits in 149 innings that season while walking 44 and striking out 131.
"Everyone that I have spoken with says that (Jay) has a lot of upside," said Hobson.
Osterbrock, 27, signed with the Minnesota Twins out of the University of Louisville in 2008. In his first pro season, the Cincinnati native was 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA at Rookie Level Elizabethton. Two years later, he compiled a 9-9 record with a stingy 2.65 ERA at the Class A level. Following an injury shortened 2011 season and a year off, the left-hander returned to the Frontier League with the Florence (KY) Freedom for four starts a year ago.
In Osterbrock's career, he has walked only 82 and struck out 382 in slightly over 400 innings.
"(Dan) just pounds the strike zone," said Hobson. "He has a plus changeup, a good little curve, and his velocity is coming back."
These three additions give the Barnstormers seven players under contract for the 2014 season as outfielder Brett Carroll has been given an invitation to spring training camp with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their tenth 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.
Atlantic League Stories from February 19, 2014
- Riversharks to Host 2014 Job Fair March 22 - Camden Riversharks
- York Revolution Open Tryout Is April 12 - York Revolution
- Barnstormers Ink Three Lefty Starters - Lancaster Stormers
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