Preseason Roster Complete: Revs Add Seven on Eve of Spring Training
Published on April 13, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release
(York, PA): With York Revolution Spring Training at Sovereign Bank Stadium now just one day away, the Revs have filled out their preseason roster by announcing seven more signings. Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rick Bauer has signed to play for the Revs, along with fellow newcomers Brandon Pinckney and Josh Johnson. Returning to the club is one of last year's top offensive performers in outfielder Matt Esquivel, one of the club's top late-inning arms in right-hander Travis Phelps, versatile infielder George Sandel, and young catcher Kevin Kotch. The Revolution now have 27 players under contract, with five non-roster invitees also coming to camp. Today's deals were officially announced by director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone.
Bauer has spent parts of seven of the last eight seasons in the majors, appearing in 187 games with the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Indians. The 6'6 right-hander is the owner of 11 big-league wins, three saves, and a 4.51 ERA. He broke in with the Orioles as a starter in 2001 after being selected by the club in the fifth round of the 1997 draft. He won six games for Baltimore in 2002 while posting a 3.98 ERA, and turned in a career-best ERA of 3.55 with the Rangers in 2006, when he spent the entire season in "The Show." Bauer appeared in four major league games for the Indians last season, while also spending time at Triple-A Buffalo (15 saves, 1.54 ERA) and Triple-A Syracuse.
Pinckney gives the Revolution yet another strong option in the middle infield. A career .285 hitter in six seasons spent in the Indians organization, the 27-year-old has played for Double-A Akron the past three seasons and in four of his last five campaigns, while also reaching Triple-A in 2005. The Sacramento native batted .280 in 90 games for the Akron Aeros last season.
Johnson had signed with the Revs earlier in the off-season, only to be plucked by the San Diego Padres for spring training. A native of Ridgway, PA, the 26-year-old catcher has played at Triple-A the past three seasons, mostly in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The former Minnesota Twins draft pick batted .276 at Triple-A Durham two seasons ago.
Esquivel was signed by the Cleveland Indians and spent all of spring training with the Tribe following a 2008 campaign that saw him bat .294 with 13 homeruns, 77 RBI, and 35 doubles for the Revolution. One of York's best clutch hitters last season, the former Atlanta Braves prospect overcame a slow start to hit .318 in his final 98 games. Entering his eighth professional season, the San Antonio native is just 26 years old.
Phelps spent all of spring training with the Detroit Tigers after an outstanding 2008 season in York. The right-hander went 3-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 32 games, and spun goose eggs in 28 of his 32 appearances. Phelps has enjoyed major league time with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. The former 89th round pick of the Rays owns a 4.34 ERA in 79 games at the big league level.
Sandel was acquired in a trade by the Revolution last September, and batted .390 with four doubles in 12 games, helping the Revs in their playoff push. He spent most of the season as the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, where he batted .254. Sandel is another player that can perform multiple roles and play several positions. He also played in the Atlantic League for two seasons with the Somerset Patriots, winning a championship in 2005.
Kotch has officially signed after his rights were traded to York from the Frontier League. The 24-year-old opened last season with the Revolution where he played 19 games, before being traded to Lancaster. He played in 22 games with the Barnstormers, clubbing four homeruns, including two against his former team. From there, he was sent to Somerset where he appeared in 13 games, hitting .265 and winning an Atlantic League championship ring. The Middlesex, NJ native played catcher, first base, and outfield last season. The former Baltimore Orioles farmhand is entering his fifth season of professional baseball.
York's preseason roster includes 15 pitchers (13 officially under contract, 10 of which have major league experience), three catchers, eight infielders (six officially signed), and six outfielders (five signed).
All tickets for the 2009 season are on sale now. Opening Day is May 1 against the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2009
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- Riversharks Add Thirteen Players To Roster - Camden Riversharks
- Preseason Roster Complete: Revs Add Seven on Eve of Spring Training - York Revolution
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