Pride Signings; Abreu to Patrol Outfield

Published on April 17, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release


(NASHUA, N.H. - April 17, 2008) Nashua Pride officials have announced the signing of outfielders Dennis Abreu, Vinny Pennell, Chris Scarola, infielder Will Groff, pitcher Nicolas Suero, and the re-signing of catcher Christopher Torres.

Abreu, who headlines the Pride's most recent acquisitions, is the brother of Major Leaguer Bobby Abreu, the right-fielder for the New York Yankees. Breaking into professional baseball in 1995, Abreu has spent time in the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals organizations before playing the last four seasons in independent leagues.

The Aragua, Venezuela, native is a career .289 hitter, having driven in 450 RBI, belted 57 home runs, and stole 251 bases in 1,178 career professional games. He is expected to play the outfield for the Pride, but also has experience within the infield.

Pennell, a Spencer, Mass., native, will reunite with his former Franklin Pierce University teammate and current Pride first baseman Brian Duplissie as an outfielder for Nashua.

Ranked as the number seven top prospect in Upper New England by Baseball America in 2007, Pennell was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2007 Amateur Draft and went on to bat .270, with 34 runs scored, six doubles, three triples, and 20 RBI in the Royals minor league system.

Pennell, who is highly noted for his speed, was a four time All-Northeast-10 Conference selection with the Ravens, a two-time All-Region selection, and is Franklin Pierce's career leader in hits and stolen bases.

Suero, a Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native, will join the Pride pitching staff having spent six seasons within the Pittsburg Pirates minor league system.

The 6-foot 2-inch, 170-pound right-hander accrued a 24-24 record and 3.19 ERA in 39 professional starts, having struck out 214 batters while only walking 43 in 348.2 innings pitched.

Groff comes to the Pride, a highly touted prospect from the St. Louis Cardinals organization where he batted .252, with seven doubles, a triple, a homer run, and 12 RBI in 36 games.

Having played collegiately at State University of New York-Cortland, the Queensbury, N.Y., native, was named the SUNY Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2006 and earned All-America honors in 2007.

An outstanding all around athlete, Groff, was named the Cortland State Special Teams Player of the Year for the Red Dragons football team and also holds the ECAC Division III record for longest kick-off return.

Scarola, who was the Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2007 for the Curry College Colonels, spent a brief portion of last season with the Brockton Rox following his career with the Colonels.

Torres returns to the Pride, expected to fill the back-up catcher's position. He could also be used in a utility role for Manager Rick Miller.

The Nashua Pride Professional Baseball Club, entering its 11th season, provides a fun, affordable, community-based and fan-friendly source of sports entertainment. The 2007 Can-Am League Champions will be participating in its third year of play in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball.

For tickets or more information call 603-883-BALL (2255), or visit www.nashuapride.com.

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