AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Lefties Cullen, Peeples To Return

Published on March 3, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


LANCASTER, Pa.-Two familiar faces will anchor the Lancaster bullpen in 2009. The Barnstormers today announced closer Ryan Cullen and setup man Ross Peeples have been signed for the team's fifth season.

Cullen, 29, was nearly flawless for Lancaster in the 2008 season. The southpaw, originally from Sayre, Pa., recorded saves in his first 16 chances of the campaign before finally losing a lead in the ninth inning in his final appearance of the year. Overall, the former Oakland A's and New York Mets farmhand was 7-6 with a 2.11 ERA in 49 appearances. He walked only 13 batters while striking out 50 in 64 innings of work.

From May 14 thru Sept. 17, Cullen posted a mere 1.20 ERA over 52.2 innings pitched. Toward the end of that span, he walked only one batter in 24.2 frames.

Cullen reached Class AAA twice in the Mets' system-with Norfolk in 2006 and New Orleans, where he appeared in 40 games in 2007.

"Ryan was certainly one of the best left-handed relievers in the Atlantic League last season, if not the best," said Keith Lupton, the Barnstormers senior vice president of baseball operations. "We can only be pleased to have him back."

Peeples, 29, is one of only four players to have been with the Barnstormers in each of the first four seasons and the only one currently under contract in 2009.

The lefty from Cordele, Ga., is tied with Eric Ackerman for the most career appearances in a Barnstormers uniform with 109. The one-time Mets' prospect was 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in 15 appearances in 2008 after missing most of the season due to surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow.

He holds the distinction of throwing the first complete game shutout in Barnstormers' history, a four-hitter against Newark on August 17, 2005. Peeples was the New York-Penn League's Pitcher of the Year in 2001, weaving together a 9-3 record and 1.34 ERA.

"Ross has been a stalwart of the franchise for four years," said Lupton. "We believe that when fully healthy he can make a huge contribution to our team."

Peeples and Cullen, two players who have been very active in making appearances and aiding the club in its community efforts, are the last two winners of the Barnstormers' Community Man of the Year award.

The Barnstormers will gather for spring training, which will be held in Lancaster for the first time, on April 13.

The Barnstormers will open the 2009 baseball season at home for the fourth year in a row, when they host the Newark Bears on Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets to Opening Night and all other games in the 2009 season will go on sale Saturday, March 7 in the Clipper Magazine Stadium box office during a special one-day sale. Tickets will remain on sale online only until the box office opens for the season on April 6.

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Atlantic League Stories from March 3, 2009


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