Three added to AirHogs' roster

Published on February 4, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


Grand Prairie, Texas - The Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball have announced the signing of lefthanded pitcher Vinnie DeChristofaro, shortstop Josh Sanchez and outfielder Chance Beasley.

DeChristofaro spent the last two seasons with the St. Joe Blacksnakes of the American Association. In 2007, the native of Jersey City, N.J., went 5-8 with a 4.96 ERA in 43 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 53 hitters in 61.2 innings of work. He assembled an 0-1 record with a 4.10 ERA in 36 relief outings in 2006.

Originally a seventh-round pick by Philadelphia in the 2001 draft out of Richmond Hill (N.J.) High School, the 25-year-old spent four years in the Phillies' organization, reaching as high as class-A Lakewood (N.J.) in 2002 and 2003.

Sanchez will be entering his third season of professional baseball. He did not play in 2007, but spent 2006 with the Florence (Ky.) Freedom of the Frontier League, appearing in 91 of the team's 94 games and slugging 10 doubles to go along with a .204 average. The Oxnard, Calif., native also played the majority of 2005 in Florence, appearing in all but one of the team's games and tying for the league lead by being hit by 29 pitches. Superb defensively, Sanchez led the Frontier League in putouts, assists and total chances. An LS-1, he also spent time with the San Angelo (Texas) Colts of the Central League in 2005 after playing at Grandview (Iowa) College.

Beasley, a rookie, joins the AirHogs after playing collegiately for Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) University. Starting all 60 of the team's games, he had an outstanding season in 2007, hitting .382 with 13 home runs as the Tigers went 50-10 and were ranked as high as No. 1 in the national Division II poll. The native of Humble, Texas, also led the Gulf South Conference with 72 RBI and 76 runs and had a 31-game hitting streak during the season. For his efforts, Beasley was selected to both the Daktronics and Rawlings/ACBA All-America teams. In 2006, he hit .308 with seven doubles and 20 RBI for Ouachita after transferring from Blinn (Texas) College.

The Grand Prairie AirHogs' inaugural American Association season starts on May 8, 2008, with the home opener on Friday, May 16, against the Wichita Wingnuts at the club's brand-new stadium located at Lone Star Park. For season and group ticket information, contact the AirHogs at (972) 504-9383.

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