Manager Von Hayes has used some of his old connections to bring an infusion of new players to the Barnstormers. The team announced it has signed RHP Mike Nannini, RHP Tim McClaskey and OF/INF Lloyd Turner.
Nannini, 27, was a first-round draft pick by the Astros in 1998 and played for Hayes as part of the Double-A Midland Rockhounds. He reached Triple-A with five organizations, which is quite a feat, but never made it to the majors.
“Mike was an important part of that Midland team, which went on to win the Texas League championship,” Hayes said in a team statement. “He’s a great guy to have on a team, he’s a workhorse on the mound, and he’s very professional.”
McClaskey, 31, is a 12-year veteran who has served as both a starter and reliever during his career. He pitched for the Reading Phillies the past two seasons and went 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA last summer. Hayes became familiar with McClaskey when the pitcher was an opponent in Double-A.
“Tim was tough on our club when he pitched in the Texas League,” Hayes said. “He has great command of all of his pitches and he does an outstanding job of holding down the running game.”
Turner, 27, has been mentioned here for weeks. He’ll fill the Steve Van Note utility role. Turner has played 2B, SS, 3B and OF extensively during his career. He won a championship with Hayes as manager in the High-A California League in 2004. Turner is a speedster who has stolen 27 bases in a season.
“Lloyd is a talented defensive player,” Hayes said. “He’s spent the majority of his playing time in the outfield, but he can also play every infield position except catcher.”
The Barnstormers have five players under contract: In addition to these three, the team has re-signed 2B Mike Woods and has signed RHP Derek Forbes.
For a look at the complete roster to date, check out the Meet the Team page.
GO VON GO!
We’re starting to look like a real ball team now.
McClasky and Nannini look like they could do real well here.
Hayes spoke highly of all three and I get the feeling Lancaster will not be scraping the bottom of the barrel again this year. These are guys Hayes knows and has seen perform. So what if York and SoMD grab all the better known AL names? Well, those Long Island doesn’t outright steal. Lancaster has something better….new blood…and the more new names I see, the more psyched I get for late April to roll around!
By the way, Jason, I’ll be in Melbourne the first week of March watching the Nationals whip….err…play the Dodgers, Mets and Cardinals. Between that and the new stadium, it’s a good year to be a Nats fan!
I think the Brickyard should come up with a drink called the “Von Hayes” (like the band) and we’ll toast after every victory
… Bob The Alcoholic will LOVE it !!
Lookin good so far, like you boys said… Can’t wait till April 25th !!!!
I’m totally gonna go to the brickyard and ask for a Von Hayes. If they don’t know what I’m talking about I’ll probably whistle real loud and thunderously say “Hey, this guy doesn’t know how to make a Von Hayes, lets blow this joint!” As I’m leaving with the one guy who actually listened to me, I’ll think to my self “yep, that’s the last time they don’t ever serve me a Von Hayes, score for the good guys!”
Well…it’s about time!! I was beginng to worry that we would have to forfeit our 1st Game.
Is it April yet??
jason, any word on a date for Fanfest??
Fan Fest is April 5…and its going to be at night. (?)
There will be a Booster Club membership drive at Fan Fest so if you haven’t signed on already… what are ya waitin for ???
And yes it is April 5th in the early evening.
Eveyone head over to the Brickyard for a round of Von Hayes immediately after
Booby has a point…. We still need a few more players before we can field a team! It will be interesting to see who they signs on as their first catcher. Any rumors out there Jason?
Yeah Jason, How’s your arm?? We might need you to come off your pulpit.
Also–Probably the saddest things you will ever see is a Mosquito sucking on a mummy. Forget it little friend.
I believe the catcher will be a fellow named Lance Burkhart.
As for my arm, my fastball is clocked around 70 mph. On a good day.
70mph…. not bad, hows you knuckle ball? Just think, one of your big stories this year could be about you pitching in a championship game for the Stormers. Then you can write about hearing rumors that you’re on roids.
70 MPH and on Roids??? Wow…did the roids make your right arm fall off and now you throw Lefthanded??? Don’t knock KnuckleBallers until you try to hit one. It can be downright embarrassing.
Double D — The only knuckleball I knock is out of the park. My whiffle ball game is tight. Plus, my favorite pitcher is Tim Wakefield. I even invented a whiffle ball knuckle pitch that involves just my pinky and thumb. It’s like a knuckle ball and change up fused together. It’s called a Mr. B special. It’s outlawed in 12 states.
Booster Club……well……I’m a season ticket Holder. Why should I have to pay to get into a Booster Club? I already put down some ducets for my Seat. That certainly shows I’m a Booster. Pay again to get into a Booster Club?? That just doesn’t feel right….sorry.