BARNSTORMERS NAB A PAIR OF LEFTY STARTERS
SHAWN MORIMANDO – Left-handed Starter
Lancaster has added lefty Shawn Morimando to their rotation. Morimando posted a 3.71 ERA with a 1.288 WHIP in 308.2 innings while in double-A but has struggled in triple-A, exiting affiliated ball with a 4.78 ERA and 1.523 WHIP in his 333 triple-A innings. Last season, with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Morimando managed a 9.7 K/9, but also allowed 10.0 H/9 and 4.2 BB/9. Shawn is capable of missing bats, and if he can hit the corners consistently, the Barnstormers may have a valuable lefty contributor in their 2nd or 3rd rotation spot.
NATE REED – Left-handed Starter
Another left-handed starter, Nate Reed, will return to Lancaster for 2020. Nate already has six seasons and more than 450 Atlantic League innings under his belt. During his 146 appearances, Reed has been consistently above average, most notably in 2016 when he posted a 1.64 ERA out of the Revolution’s bullpen.
Lancaster should still feel comfortable bringing Nate back in 2020, despite the 32-year-old’s ERA ballooning to 4.97 last season as his hit, home run, and strikeout rates were all the worst of his ALPB career. After finally signing with the team in July, Reed allowed 19 hits, 17 earned runs, 6 walks, and 3 home runs during his first 10.2 innings. However, after those three initial starts, Nate closed the season strong with a 3.42 ERA, 0.5 HR/9, 8.2 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and 1.310 WHIP in his final 52.2 innings. Look for Nate to fit into one of the top spots in the Barnstormers rotation, depending on how Ross Peeples decides to arrange his lefties.
BLAKE ALLEMAND – 2B/3B/SS/LF – B: S T: R
The Barnstormers have added switch-hitter Blake Allemand for 2020. Allemand spent five professional seasons in the Brewers organization after playing his college ball at Texas A&M. Blake has primarily served as a second baseman but also has played left field and third base, bringing some valuable versatility to Lancaster’s roster.
At the plate, Blake never quite found his footing in triple-A, with his .781 OPS being inflated by the lively ball being used at that level in 2019. Allemand roughly projects as a .260/.330/.375 hitter and will likely split middle-infield time with Luis Marte.
High Point Continues Assembling 2020 Bullpen
Ryan Chaffee – Right-handed Reliever
The Rockers have signed right-handed reliever Ryan Chaffee ahead of the 2020 campaign. This will be Chaffee’s third ALPB season after spending 2018 and 2019 with Southern Maryland, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.493 WHIP over 138 innings. The Blue Crabs are hoping Ryan can bounce-back from a trying 2019 season when his WHIP rose from 2018’s 1.267 to a 1.716. Control problems were certainly an issue last season, but Chaffee posted a 2.5 BB/9 with the Australian Baseball League’s Adelaide Giants (improving on his 6.8 BB/9 within the Atlantic League).
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