Freedom Building a Strong Roster for 2015
April 1, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Outfielder Jake Luce
(Florence Y'alls, Credit: Meryl Loop)
(Florence, KY) - The Florence Freedom presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions are building a strong roster for their 2015 campaign under new field manager Dennis Pelfrey. Spring Training begins May 1 at UC Health Stadium and the roster is not completely set yet. But so far, so good, as Florence looks to return to the Frontier League playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
The newest addition to the Freedom squad is outfielder Jake Luce. Luce had a breakout season in 2014 for the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association. The left-handed hitter tallied a .341 batting average in 123 at bats. The 25-year old's performance with Wichita caught the attention of the Baltimore Orioles and Luce spent this Spring Training in Orioles camp. Luce also played in the United Baseball League last year and had a cup of coffee with Rockford in the Frontier League back in 2013.
Another key acquisition the Freedom made this off-season is outfielder Cody Bishop. The Freedom acquired Bishop as part of a blockbuster trade on December 16, 2014. They traded RHP Chris Squires, LHP Chris Cummins, and OF Adam Taylor to the Gary SouthShore RailCats in exchange for Bishop and RHP Ethan Gibbons.
Bishop, 24, a North Central Texas College product, enters his fourth season of professional baseball in 2015. After a brief stint in the Pecos League in 2012, Bishop spent the entire 2013 season in the United League, splitting time between the McAllen Thunder and the Fort Worth Cats. He found his most success with Fort Worth, hitting .309 in 39 games.
On the mound, Coleman Stephens should be a headliner for Florence this season. 2015 will be Stephens' fourth season of professional baseball and his second go-around in the Frontier League. Florence acquired Stephens as part of a three-team trade on December 28, 2014, which saw Jacob Tanis head to Windy City. The right-hander made his professional debut in 2012 with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the North American Baseball League.
Stephens split the 2013 season between the Fort Worth Cats of the United League and the Frontier Greys, compiling an 8-3 record in 20 appearances, 18 starts. Last season, Stephens played in the American Association, splitting time between Amarillo and Gary. Through three seasons in professional baseball Stephens has made 62 appearances, 45 starts.
Returning to the Freedom in 2015 is 2014 Frontier League Mid and Post-Season All-Star Sam Eberle.
Eberle led the Frontier League in OBP in 2014 as he reached base 46.2 percent of the times he came to the plate. His .346 batting average and 64 walks were both good for third in the league. The corner infielder led the Freedom in nearly every offensive category including batting average, runs scored (53), hits (110), doubles (22), home runs (8, tied with Rob Kelly), RBI (45), total bases (160), walks, OBP, SLG (.503), and OPS (.965).
Florence also returns their top two starting pitchers from 2014.
Chuck Weaver shined in 2014 as he finished the season with a 2.65 ERA, good for first on the team and fifth in the Frontier League. His notable outings included a career high eight innings of one-run ball against Southern Illinois on June 14, seven innings of one run ball on June 28 against River City, seven innings of shutout ball against Gateway on July 3 and seven innings of shutout ball against Traverse City on August 13. In 17 starts, Weaver went six or more innings 13 times.
Meanwhile returning right-hander, and Cincinnati native, Casey Henn was one of the top pitchers in the entire Frontier League in 2014. He led the Freedom with nine wins and tallied a team-leading 111 strike outs, good for fourth among all Frontier League pitchers. Henn's 2.72 ERA in 2014 was tied for the sixth lowest while his 122.2 innings pitched was the third most in the league.
Some of his notable outings included seven innings of one-run ball against Lake Erie on June 4, seven innings of shutout ball against Windy City on June 11, seven innings of shutout ball against River City on June 29, seven and a third innings of shutout ball against Lake Erie on July 18, seven innings out shutout ball against Normal on August 9, seven innings of one-run ball against Joliet on August 15 and seven and two thirds innings of shutout ball against Windy City on August 21.
Other 2015 returning players for the Freedom at this point in time include catchers Doug Joyce and Gaby Juarbe, infielders Rob Kelly and Bryan Soloman, outfielder Ryan Solberg, and pitchers Ed Kohout, "Pistol" Pete Levitt and Michael O'Neal.
Fans can see the Freedom's current roster at http://www.florencefreedom.com/roster.php and can follow every transaction at http://www.florencefreedom.com/transactions.php.
To keep up with all the latest Florence Freedom news and to learn about exclusive deals and contests, make sure to like the team on Facebook and follow the team on Twitter.
The Florence Freedom presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions are members of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League is the oldest continuously operating independent professional league, entering its 23rd season in 2015. For more information about the Frontier League visit www.frontierleague.com.
Images from this story
 Outfielder Jake Luce (Meryl Loop) |
Frontier League Stories from April 1, 2015
- Freedom Building a Strong Roster for 2015 - Florence Y'alls
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