Co-MVP Foster to return, Barnstormers add two others
April 10, 2006 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
Outfielder Quincy Foster, who was named co-MVP of the 2005 Lancaster Barnstormers in fan balloting, will return in 2006, it was announced today by Manager Tom Herr. Lancaster also has penned right-handed pitcher Cameron (Cam) Smith and catcher Manny Santana to 2006 contracts.
Foster, the popular left fielder finished fourth in the Atlantic League in batting last season at .320, just two points shy of the pace set by Long Island's Henry Rodriguez. Foster was also second in the circuit in steals with 55 and set career highs with 11 homers and 70 runs batted in while batting either first or second in the Lancaster lineup.
A 31-year old resident of Hendersonville, NC, Foster signed with the Florida Marlins out of the 1995 June draft. His speed was quickly put to use as he led the Class-A Midwest League with 73 steals while playing for Kane County (Elgin, IL) in 1998. His other career steals title came in 2004 with the Atlantic League's Camden Riversharks.
Smith and Santana were teammates on the 2004 Somerset Patriots club who earned jobs with Major League organizations last season. Santana, a native of Santurce, PR, which also produced Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, spent a brief period in the Los Angeles Angels' system in '05 after hitting .245 with five homers and 36 RBI as a Patriot the preceding year. He had previously been in the Kansas City and San Francisco farm systems.
Smith split time between AA Montgomery and AAA Durham in the Tampa Bay organization a year ago. The right-hander from Selkirk, NY posted a combined record of 5-4 with seven saves and a 3.59 ERA in 2005 after going 7-4 with Somerset the previous season.
Originally signed by Detroit as a third round pick in 1993, Smith also reached AAA with the Dodgers in 2000 and 2001.
The signings bring the total number officially on the Lancaster roster to 13. Spring training for the Atlantic League begins on April 17 and the Barnstormers open their season at home against the Road Warriors on April 28. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m.
Atlantic League Stories from April 10, 2006
- Surf update - Atlantic City Surf
- Co-MVP Foster to return, Barnstormers add two others - Lancaster Stormers
- Patriots sign two former Major League pitchers - Somerset Patriots
- Ducks sign MLB vet Figueroa - Long Island Ducks
- Bluefish land a big one - Bridgeport Bluefish
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