AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Re-Sign Josh Hall To Rotation

Published on April 6, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


LANCASTER, Pa.-The Lancaster Barnstormers continue to add depth to their battery. The club today signed returning right-hander Josh Hall and catcher Jed Morris, a former Oakland A's farmhand.

Hall first joined the Barnstormers on May 24, 2008 following his release from the Washington Nationals organization and became one of the Atlantic League's top starting pitchers. He posted a 6-3 record and 4.10 ERA with Lancaster, averaging more than six innings per start. The Barnstormers were 10-3 in games Hall started, including victories in the first seven.

For his efforts, Hall, 28, was signed by the Colorado Rockies and sent to Class AAA Colorado Springs where he went 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA. The Lynchburg, Va., native also made four starts at Tulsa, going 1-2 with a 7.97 ERA.

Hall originally signed with the Cincinnati Reds as their seventh round draft choice in 1998. He overcame injuries to reach the Major Leagues in 2003, appearing in six games (five starts) with the Reds.

"Josh is obviously someone who worked very hard last year and was rewarded," said Barnstormers manager Von Hayes. "Now we need to do what we can to help him repeat the process."

Morris spent seven years in the Oakland organization after being signed in the 2002 June draft. A lefty with power, Morris drove in 75 runs in 101 games for Class A Modesto in 2003. Two years later, he batted .302 with 14 homers and 55 RBIs for Stockton and hit for the cycle on July 2 of that season against Visalia. In 2006, while playing for Hayes with Class AA Midland, Morris authored an 18-game hitting streak en route to batting .302.

Morris missed most of the 2007 season but returned last year to hit a combined .274 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs in the Oakland system. He's expected to share the catching duties with Adam Shorsher.

Morris, who was born in Oregon but attended high school in the Houston, Texas area, was a standout at the University of Nebraska. He tied or set single-season Cornhusker records with 26 doubles, 90 RBIs and 201 total bases and fell just short of the home run mark with 23. He led his club to a berth in the College World Series, belting a grand slam in regional play.

"Jed played for me in both '04 and '06 and improved dramatically both offensively and defensively over those two years," Hayes said. "I felt he was on his way to AAA and better, but he got sidetracked. He's completely healthy now and I look forward to helping him get back."

The Barnstormers have 17 players under contract for the 2009 season. The club will assemble on April 13 in Lancaster, where the team will hold spring training for the first time. All workouts and two exhibition games will be free and open to the public.

The Barnstormers will open the 2009 baseball season at home on Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Newark Bears. Tickets to Opening Night and all other games in the 2009 season are on sale at www.LancasterBarnstormers.com. The Clipper Magazine Stadium box office opens for the season on April 6.

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Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2009


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