Flurry of Moves Bolsters Barnstormers for Stretch Run
Published on July 7, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
LANCASTER, Pa.-The Lancaster Barnstormers have reworked the roster over the last week to gear up for a final four-game series against the York Revolution, during which the first-half Freedom Division champion will be decided.
Lancaster had sent eight players to Major League affiliates in a span of one month from May 27 to June 27. All eight are playing at Class AA or Class AAA and most are making large, regular contributions to their club.
Those acquisitions, and an injury to Lancaster native Matt Watson, left the Barnstormers with a short roster as York closed in on first place.
However, the Barnstormers have signed or traded for four players over the past several days to bolster the lineup for the stretch run. In addition, they have activated flame throwing right-hander Evan Englebrook, who has been out since spring training with a shoulder ailment.
Here are the additions:
ADAM CALDERONE: The outfielder signed with the Barnstormers just prior to Friday night's game in Bridgeport. Calderone, 27, reached Class AAA in three different seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Last year was his most productive season, blasting 19 homers and 76 RBI while splitting time between Class AA New Hampshire and Class AAA Las Vegas. This year, he played with the Eastern League affiliates of both the Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers, hitting a combined .202 with two homers and 19 RBI. The left-handed hitting Calderone stroked three triples in his first five at bats for Lancaster.
BRANDON JONES: A former Atlanta Braves outfielder, Jones is being added for the York series. The left-handed batting Floridian played in 51 games for Atlanta over three seasons, batting .257 with one home run. He had a 100-RBI season split between Class AA Mississippi and Class AAA Richmond in 2007. Earlier this season, Jones, 26, hit .239 with four homers and 34 RBI for the Huntsville Stars, Milwaukee's Class AA affiliate.
IGNACIO "IGGY" SUAREZ: Suarez was obtained from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Monday. The infielder batted .266 with two homers and 30 RBI as Somerset's starting shortstop in 2010. He opened this season with Somerset as well but was released after batting only .136 in 66 at bats. Southern Maryland signed him on June 21, and Suarez, 30, went 3-for-4 with two RBI against the Barnstormers in his first game for the Blue Crabs. Overall, he batted .275 with three doubles and five RBI for Southern Maryland. Suarez spent seven seasons in the Boston organization, reaching Class AAA Pawtucket in 2009.
As a Barnstormer, Suarez has set a franchise record by collecting base hits in 10 consecutive official at bats and drove in six runs over a two-day span in Camden.
MATT TUPMAN: Tupman, 31, caught in the Kansas City Royals organization for eight seasons, including part or all of four seasons with Class AAA Omaha. A defensive specialist, he has a career .265 average with limited power. He was teamed with right-hander Matt Wright on Omaha squads from 2007-09 and Jonah Bayliss in Wilmington in 2004. His best year offensively was in '04, when he hit .300 for the Blue Rocks.
In his first game with Lancaster, he caught Wright, who combined with three relievers on a two-hit shutout.
To make room on the roster, the Barnstormers have also traded catcher Alvin Colina to the Camden Riversharks, placed Watson on the disabled list, and put left-hander reliever Lee Tabor on the inactive list with another move pending on Friday.
"We've done some things to put this ballclub in a good position to take the first half," said manager Butch Hobson. "These new guys have given us a big spark. This is going to be a fun weekend."
The Barnstormers, after taking two in a row in Camden, head into the weekend series against the Revolution leading the Freedom Division by one game. Lancaster will need to win two of the four games to take the first half title and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Limited tickets remain for this weekend's games. Tickets begin at just $7 and are available for purchase at the Faulkner Chevrolet Box Office, by calling 717-509-3633 or by visiting LancasterBarnstormers.com.
The Lancaster Barnstormers are currently in their seventh 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 July 7, 2011
- Rodriguez to DL - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Four Riversharks Voted into 2011 Atlantic League All Star Game - Camden Riversharks
- Flurry of Moves Bolsters Barnstormers for Stretch Run - Lancaster Stormers
- Barnstormers Chase Playoff Berth this Weekend - Lancaster Stormers
- Suarez Ig-Nites Barnstormers Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Riversharks Lose Slugfest - Camden Riversharks
- Lead Slips Away As Revs Fall Half A Game Back In Final Contest Before Showdown With Barnstormers - York Revolution
- Club Retakes First with 6-0 Win - Lancaster Stormers
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