Pena, Stinson And Veloz To Play Hawaii Winter Baseball
Published on September 22, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Three more Sand Gnats will be playing Winter Ball this offseason as Francisco Pena, Josh Stinson and Greg Veloz will all play for the Honolulu Sharks in the Hawaiian Winter League.
Veloz led Savannah in virtually all offensive categories during 2008 campaign. The 20-year-old from San Juan de la Maguana, D.R. led the team in hits (130), doubles (25), triples (5), RBI (52), runs scored (68) and stolen bases (28). His six home runs were tied for third best on the squad. In the field, Veloz committed 18 errors in 109 games for a .965 fielding percentage. He finished the year at High-A St. Lucie after earning a promotion in mid-August.
Pena, 18, was much improved in his second season with the Sand Gnats, hitting .264 with six home runs and 41 RBI. The son of former Major League catcher Tony Pena, Francisco was named a mid-season All-Star by the South Atlantic League. Pena will turn 19 on October 12.
Stinson, 20, also was in his second stint with the Sand Gnats and was moved to a reliever role to start the season. As Savannah's starters moved up, Stinson moved back into the starting rotation. The Louisiana native went 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA out of the bullpen and was 2-3 with a 4.80 ERA in six starts. Stinson was also one of the 14 Sand Gnats who earned a promotion to St. Lucie throughout 2008.
The Hawaii Winter Baseball schedule begins on Saturday when the Sharks will face off with the Waikiki BeachBoys. It's a four-team league which provides some of the top young talent a chance to hone their skills against other top talent from the U.S. as well as Asia. Reese Havens, the New York Mets first-round pick in 2008, will join the trio of Gnats on the Sharks roster.
Pena, Stinson and Veloz join Tobi Stoner and Josh Thole as Sand Gnats playing in Winter Ball. Stoner, Savannah's Opening Day starter from 2007, and Thole, Savannah's resident first-sacker in '07, are both playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Saguaros. The AFL season begins on October 7.
Savannah opens the 2009 schedule at home on April 9 when the Augusta GreenJackets visit Historic Grayson stadium. For information on 2009 season plans visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 22, 2008
- Hickory Crawdads Announce New Affiliation - Hickory Crawdads
- Ty Cobb Traded To Lexington - Lexington Legends
- Pena, Stinson And Veloz To Play Hawaii Winter Baseball - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hoppers Announce 2009 Season Schedule - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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