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AtL York Revolution

Revolution Sign First Four For '09

February 20, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release


(York, PA): The York Revolution have secured two of the cornerstone pieces from last season's second half Freedom Division championship while also adding new blood to the mix. Ace right-handed pitcher Corey Thurman and slugger Jason Aspito headline the first four signings of 2009, as announced today by Revs director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone. The club has also added former major league relief pitcher Steve Andrade and outfielder Tommy Collaro.

Thurman was the workhorse of the starting rotation last season, making an Atlantic League best 29 starts. He also led the club and ranked fourth in the league with 165.1 innings pitched. His 11 victories tied for second most on the Revs' staff, and his 129 strikeouts ranked fourth on the circuit. A veteran of 49 big league games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Thurman won 11 of his final 14 decisions, including two separate four-game winning streaks. He posted dazzling numbers in June, going 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA, garnering Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors.

"With Corey's presence on and off the field, signing him is an excellent start for us," remarked Gladstone. "Knowing his dedication to the game and his work ethic, we are excited that he will start the year with us, and hopefully finish the year with an affiliated organization."

Aspito is entering his third year with the Revolution as the club's all-time leader in RBI with 137, and tied for the club record with 35 homeruns. Last season, the former Angels and White Sox prospect blasted 24 homers, while batting .294 and driving in 105 runs, good for third in the league. Among his many highlights was the deciding grand slam against Lancaster on the night the Revs clinched their first ever playoff berth. Aspito was named team MVP in 2008, while also being selected to the league's midseason All-Star Game, and postseason All-Star team.

"We're lucky to be able to sign a player of Jason's caliber as our first position player for 2009," stated Gladstone. "To be able to sign a top-of-the-rotation pitcher and a middle-of-the-order hitter as your first players for 2009 is something we are very excited about."

Both men have resided in York during the off-season, participating in numerous community events for the Revolution, while also conducting individual pitching and hitting lessons. To arrange a pitching lesson with Thurman, contact him at thurm35@yahoo.com. E-mail Aspito at jaspito28@yahoo.com for hitting or fielding instruction.

Together they will also team with Wayne Franklin in March for a special four-day "Spring Training" baseball clinic for youth players. Openings are quickly filling. For more information, log on to www.YorkRevolution.com.

Andrade is a veteran of eight professional seasons, and reached the big leagues in 2006 with the Kansas City Royals. He split last season between Double-A and Triple-A in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and went 5-3 with a 1.18 ERA at Double-A Montgomery. The right-hander owns a career record of 22-14 with a 3.08 ERA, and has struck out 484 batters in only 391.0 innings.

Collaro has spent the majority of his seven-year career in the Chicago White Sox farm system, reaching Triple-A in each of the last two seasons. He has blasted 104 homeruns in only 625 career games including a career-best 29 bombs and 100 RBI with Winston-Salem (Single-A) in 2005. He will turn 26 years old on April 4.

Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2009 Season are now on sale. Fan Fest is also Saturday, April 18 beginning at 1 p.m. at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Opening Day is Friday, May 1 against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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