GASTONIA, N.C. – The Ghost Peppers have signed OF Eric De La Rosa, INF Braxton Davidson and LHP Nick Horvath for the 2025 season, announced by general manager Brady Salisbury on Friday.
Gastonia welcomes back three members of the 2024 Baseball Club, with De La Rosa and Davidson also being with the team in 2023.
De La Rosa was drafted by the Tigers in 2018 out of Grossmont College in California. The outfielder spent six years in Detroit’s system, reaching as high as Double-A Erie.
The Lemon Grove, California, native has played the fourth most games in Gastonia’s franchise history (171) and has the fifth most stolen bases (55).
De La Rosa played 109 games for the Club last season, stealing 36 bags and hitting 14 home runs.
Another returner who’s been with Gastonia since 2023 is Davidson, a 2014 first-round draft pick by the Braves. The lefty slugger was in the Braves organization for five years before beginning to play independent ball in 2020.
Davidson wreaked havoc for Gastonia in 2023, slashing .267/.418/.609, which equals a 1.027 OPS. In 89 games, the lefty hit 25 homers and walked 69 times. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 83 walks.
The Asheville native played just 26 games for the Club in 2024, battling through injuries.
Horvath is returning from the 2024 season, after getting dealt to Gastonia by Charleston in June. The lefty reliever was drafted by the Orioles in 2018 out of the University of Florida.
Horvath spent the 2023 season with the Angels organization, reaching High-A Tri-City.
The Jupiter, Florida, native turned his 2024 season around after being traded to Gastonia, posting a 7-0 record to go along with a 3.29 ERA in 28 outings.
Horvath was awarded Atlantic League Co-Pitcher of the Month of July. He made 10 appearances for the Baseball Club in July, allowing just one run on three hits in 15.2 innings. The southpaw walked five batters and struck out 18 in the month, posting a 1-0 record. Horvath’s 0.57 ERA was the lowest for all Gastonia pitchers, and opponents hit just .064 against him in that span.
With the addition of these three returners, the Ghost Peppers have now signed a dozen players for 2025.
The players who have signed so far are:
RHP Jimmie Sherfy
RHP Parker Kruglewicz
RHP Ryne Inman
RHP Matt Hartman
LHP Nick Horvath
C Gavin Stupienski
C Luis Aviles
INF Jake Hoover
INF Alan Alonso
INF Ethan Skender
INF Braxton Davidson
OF Eric De La Rosa