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Skeeters Sign OF Denis Phipps and IF Juan Silverio

January 17, 2020 - Atlantic League (AtL) - Sugar Land Skeeters News Release

SUGAR LAND, TX - The Sugar Land Skeeters today announced the signings of former Major League outfielder Denis Phipps as well as infielder Juan Silverio.

Both players are set to enter their third seasons with the Skeeters, both having originally joined the team in 2018 and helping lead the Skeeters to their second Atlantic League Championship.

Phipps and Silverio were key members in the middle of the Skeeters lineup throughout the 2019 season. Phipps, 34, tallied a team-leading 21 home runs and 81 RBIs on his way to being named the Skeeters 2019 Most Valuable Player. Phipps' 21 homers placed him in a tie for ninth in the Atlantic League and were tied for the second-most in a single season in Skeeters history. Phipps recorded an .807 OPS (on-base plus slugging), which was the highest of Skeeters qualifying hitters.

Phipps had a prolific postseason as well, hitting a league-high four home runs while hitting .300/.447/.800 in nine games. He became the first player in Skeeters history to homer in three consecutive playoff games. Phipps' four postseason home runs also matched former Major Leaguer Delwyn Young (2014) for the most in a single postseason in Skeeters history.

Silverio, 28, was selected to the 2019 Atlantic League All-Star Game and finished in the top 10 in the league in average (.293, 9th), on-base percentage (.358, 9th), triples (5, T3rd) and runs (79, 7th). Silverio led all Skeeters with 128 games played last season.

Phipps and Silverio both place in the top 10 in several Skeeters all-time batting categories. Phipps ranks in the top 10 in runs (126, 7th), hits (210, 7th), doubles (38, 10th), home runs (30, 6th), RBIs (118, 7th) and walks (96, 6th). For Siverio, he ranks in the top 10 in hits (204, T9th), home runs (22, T10th) and RBIs (105, 10th).

Silverio played a pivotal role in leading the Skeeters to their 2018 Atlantic League Championship, setting the team's single-season playoff records with 14 hits and nine runs scored.

Phipps was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds in May 2004 as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic. He made his Major League debut with the Reds in 2012, hitting .300/.364/.700 with a home run and two RBIs in eight games. He also appeared in the Chicago White Sox minor league system and last appeared at the affiliated level in 2014 with them. Along with the Skeeters, Phipps has also appeared at the independent level with the Laredo Lemurs and Texas AirHogs of the American Association. He's currently playing for the Caribes de Anzoategui of the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .306/.449/.581 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 38 games.

Over his 14-year professional career, Phipps has hit .269/.339/.433 to go with 220 home runs and 939 RBIs in 1,853 games.

Silverio was originally signed by the White Sox in 2008 as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic. He spent five seasons in the White Sox system (2008-12) and two seasons in the Reds system, reaching as high as the Triple-A level. Prior to joining the Skeeters, Silverio also appeared with Laredo. He's currently playing with the Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .283/.376/.368 with a home run and 17 RBIs in 42 games. Over his 11-year professional career, Silverio has hit .275/.318/.441 with 108 home runs and 501 RBIs in 1,022 games.

The Skeeters, two-time winners of the Atlantic League Championship, begin their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League at Constellation Field on April 30. Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2020 season are currently available and can be purchased by visiting SugarLandSkeeters.com, the TDECU Ticket Office at Constellation Field or by calling the Skeeters at 281-240-4487.

Fans can also follow the Skeeters on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SL_Skeeters) for all the latest team news and the latest on events to be hosted at Constellation Field.

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