AtL Lancaster Stormers

Four Barnstormers agree to return to Lancaster

Published on March 14, 2007 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


LANCASTER, Pa.-Four more familiar faces will be back at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2007. The Lancaster Barnstormers have agreed to terms with infielders Danny Gonzalez and Manny Santana and outfielders Justin "Jutt" Hileman and Chris Van Rossum, Barnstormers director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone announced today.

INF Danny Gonzalez has helped solidify the middle of the Barnstormers infield the past two seasons and posted the best offensive numbers of his career in 2006. Gonzalez, 25, hit .319 for the Barnstormers last season with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.

"He's a solid defensive player," Barnstormers manager Frank Klebe said, "and he's showing some power now and growing into his own as a hitter with more experience."

Gonzalez was drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 draft by Philadelphia and has spent time with the Phillies double-A affiliate in Reading.

INF/C Manny Santana played in 76 games for the Barnstormers last season, including 36 as Lancaster's second catcher. He adds power to the Barnstormers lineup, coming off a season in which he hit 10 home runs with 40 RBIs. Santana, 26, has spent time in the Royals, Mariners, Giants and Rangers organizations.

OF Jutt Hileman has been with the Barnstormers since the team's inaugural season in 2005 and is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro. In 2006, he hit .286 with 22 doubles, eight home runs and 58 RBIs as an everyday outfielder. Hileman, 25, was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2000.

OF Chris Van Rossum is entering his tenth year of professional baseball and his third with the Barnstormers. The 33-year-old was originally signed as a free agent in 1996 by the San Francisco Giants and came to Lancaster in 2005. He made an immediate impact, hitting .333 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 37 games. Van Rossum hit .242 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 82 games for the Barnstormers last season.

"With these guys, we have nine guys from last year's team coming back," Klebe said. "They're all key players for us and they give us a good nucleus as we get ready for spring training."

Opening Night for the defending Atlantic League Champion Barnstormers will be May 4, 2007 when they take on the Road Warriors at 7:05 p.m. Only season ticket holders can currently guarantee seats for Opening Day and the 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Game, to be held July 11 at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Single-game tickets for regular season games will go on sale during the Barnstormers' FanFest, scheduled for Saturday, April 14.

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