Steamers Turn Left with Roster
April 4, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, NC - The Steamers switch things up this week with three left-handed signees in Coulton Lee, Brandon Gragilla and Ryan Fleming.
Lee, a junior out of Arkansas State University, stands 6'1" and 235 pounds. After a strong sophomore showing in 2015 out of the Red Wolves' pen, the Benton, AR native has been the unequivocal ace in relief for Arkansas State in 2016, appearing early, late and often, covering every role - long man, specialist, set-up and closer. Armed with an upper 80s fastball, a breaking ball with which he gets strikeouts and a good change-up, the southpaw is able to get guys out on both sides of the plate. Lee has struggled with his control at times this spring, which has led to some inconsistency, but the Steamers expect him to be a crucial weapon from the left side this summer. He has appeared in 15 of the first 27 contests this spring, covering 23 frames with 19 strikeouts and a .239 batting average against.
Brandon Gragilla (gra-JILL-uh) will come to Edenton from Charleston Southern University (SC), where he has been a bat off the bench for the Buccaneers so far this spring. The first baseman checks in at 6'6" and 250 pounds and he hails from Cornelius, NC. Gragilla spent last summer with the Lake Norman Copperheads of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League, where he slashed .299/.432/.464/.896. He also racked up four bombs and 22 RBI while collecting the same number of walks as strikeouts (22 apiece) en route to midseason all-star honors. Gragilla is big target defensively at first base and has easy leveraged power that allows him to inflict damage on the baseball when he is ahead in the count and works to his pitch. He is a former transfer from Wake Technical Community College (NC), where he had a decorated career. Gragilla should have a chance to assert himself at first base this summer and provide a consistent left-handed power and run-producing option in the lineup for Coach Hill.
Ryan Fleming serves as a middle reliever for Rutgers University (NJ). The 5'11" 205-pound junior spent last summer in the Prospect League with the Kokomo Jackrabbits, making 10 starts in 11 appearances while holding a 2.64 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 51 innings. The Churchville, PA native held opposing hitters to a .233 batting average and an OPS of .631 while picking up 40 punchouts. Fleming is another veteran dual-experienced arm for the Clams' stable after doing successful rotation work last summer in the Prospect League in tandem with his career relief work at Rutgers. He possesses a solid three-pitch mix that allows him to succeed against both-side hitters and go more than three outs a time. Fleming should team with the aforementioned Lee and previously announced Drew Faintich to give Edenton the most left-handed depth its had in the bullpen in years. Through six appearances in 2016, the southpaw has worked 12 innings with a win, a save and 1.50 ERA.
There is never enough quality left-handed pitching to go around at any level of baseball, and the Teal & Black are flush now with the signings of Lee and Fleming, who are both experienced and versatile. With Gragilla, the Steamers expect quality production thanks to his combination of power and plate discipline and someone that can hopefully lengthen and balance the middle of their lineup.
Coastal Plain League Stories from April 4, 2016
- Steamers Turn Left with Roster - Edenton Steamers
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