Steamers Strong Behind the Plate
April 7, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, N.C - The Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League announce today the signing of two backstops to the 2014 roster.
Spencer Angelis and Mike Pérez will strap on the gear for the Steamers this summer.
Angelis (pronounced AN-jil-iss) is a 6-1, 190-pound, junior catcher from High Point University (NC) in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference. The Orlando, Fla. native is the everyday cleanup hitter for the Panthers this spring. He bats and throws from the right side and spent last summer catching for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. In 70 at-bats for the Dawgs he hit .257, adding a .391 on-base average, 15 walks to 14 strikeouts and threw out 38% of would-be base-stealers.
Angelis has played primarily at first base so far this spring because of the Panthers' personnel makeup, but is a catcher by trade and projects to get the lion's share of innings behind the plate this summer in Edenton. He is the key run producer in High Point's lineup, has plus plate discipline, along with a line-drive swing and approach that produces a high batting average. Currently Angelis is slashing .374/.444/.480/.924, powered by eight doubles with 10 walks to only six strikeouts over 123 at-bats.
Last spring he showed polish behind the plate, throwing out 40% of opposing runners along with 14 doubles en route to Big South First Team honors.
Also a catcher, Pérez comes to the Steamers from Old Dominion University (VA) in the NCAA Division I Conference USA, where the junior has served as the everyday catcher for the Monarchs this spring. The 6-0, 205-pound Fairfax Station, V.A. native bats and throws from the right side and is a defensive specialist that will play a key role in deterring opposing running games this summer for the Teal and Black. Every year there are several track teams in the CPL and Pérez will serve as a weapon against those offenses. Due to him catching almost every inning at ODU, he projects to a more balanced role this summer in Edenton, but is still expected to make a substantial impact behind the plate. Through 24 starts this spring he has a .984 fielding average with only two passed balls, while having thrown out 41.7% of attempted base-stealers and is currently hitting .222 with six doubles, two triples and 14 walks.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The CPL has had over 1,100 alumni drafted and 65 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at CoastalPlain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from April 7, 2014
- Steamers Strong Behind the Plate - Edenton Steamers
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.
