Genomes Add Five Major League Players to Roster

(March 3, 2022) LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — The Wild Health Genomes announced today that they have agreed to terms with five new players who all have previous Major League Baseball service time. The list of players includes Brandon Leibrandt, Elih Villanueva, Moises Sierra, Max Povse and Edubray Ramos.

Leibrandt, the Florida State University alum, made his Major League debut for the Miami Marlins in 2020. The LHP was a 6th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft and posted an ERA of 3.39 in six minor league seasons. Leibrandt will anchor the starting rotation for the Genomes in 2022 and will undoubtedly give Atlantic League players trouble every five days.

Villanueva spent last season pitching for the Charleston Dirty Birds of the ALPB and posted a 4-4 record with a 4.39 ERA. The RHP was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 27th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Florida State University. Villanueva will also assume the responsibilities as the Pitching Coach for the Genomes in 2022 in addition to throwing in the starting rotation.

Sierra spent parts of four seasons in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox. The right fielder brings a veteran presence to an already loaded Genomes line-up. Additionally, Sierra has spent time playing professionally in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Japan.

Povse spent time with both the High Point Rockers and Charleston Dirty Birds last season in the APLB. The RHP was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Povse started 2017 with the Seattle Mariners’ Double-A club: the Arkansas Travelers and was called up to the Big Leagues on June 18th. Last year for the Dirty Birds, Povse posted a 7-4 record and an ERA of 5.82.

Ramos spent parts of four productive seasons in the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2016-2019. In his rookie season for the Phillies Ramos threw 40 innings with a 3.83 ERA, thus providing the organization with a middle relief option that found a way to miss barrels. The RHP posted a 3.71 ERA in the Big Leagues out of the Phillies’ bullpen proving to be a dominant force on the mound at the highest level of baseball.

The Genomes are a limited edition, one-year, team in the Atlantic League, but are poised to make quite the name for themselves. “These five men add some serious experience and talent to our already very impressive roster. Adding this much major league talent to our community is always an exciting opportunity,” said President and CEO Andy Shea. The Genomes’ home opener is May 4th at Wild Health Field. Visit lexingtonlegends.com for tickets or more information.

Revs Chomp into Off-Season To-Do List, Bring Back Another Pair of Award-Winning Fan Favorites

‘Daddy Shark’ Mesa, Lefty Ace Nicely Returning to York in 2022

(February 15, 2022, York, Pa.) — The York Revolution continued its strong preseason signing period by welcoming back another pair of award-winning fan favorites. All-Star outfielder Melky Mesa, affectionately known to the fan base as “Daddy Shark,” and 2021 Revs Pitcher of the Year Austin Nicely marked the latest two signings announced by Revs manager Mark Mason, live on Monday night’s episode of Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK.

Mesa has established himself as not only one of the on-field greats in Revs history, but also one of the most beloved figures to the Revolution fan base. The 2021 recipient of the organization’s “Corey Thurman Community Player of the Year” award, Mesa enters his fourth season in York ranking second in Revs history in career RBI (238). He also ranks fourth all-time in hits (376), runs (218), and home runs with 58, just one behind Chris Nowak’s 59 for third on the all-time list. Mesa is also top-five in extra-base hits (141) and slugging (.546), sixth in doubles (74), and seventh in career batting (.320). His .330 average last year made him the first in Revs history to post two seasons of .330 or better, along with his .337 mark in 2018.

“He’s so much fun to be around,” remarked Mason. “He always has a smile on his face. We’re really happy to have him back. In all the years I’ve been in York, he’s one of the top two defensive left fielders to play our Arch Nemesis, and of course he’s just a great all-around hitter. His numbers are phenomenal, also the clutch hitting. And as good as he is on the field, he’s just as great if not greater off the field. He’s a great clubhouse leader, a great captain, and we can basically call him that because everybody goes to him for a lot of things.”

The Atlantic League’s top RBI man since joining the circuit in 2018, Mesa is a two-time Atlantic League All-Star and was voted Team MVP in 2018. The 35-year-old reached the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees, appearing in a combined eight games in 2012 and 2013 (6-for-15, two doubles, two RBI), and has been a perennial All-Star in the minors, including a Florida State League MVP season in 2010. He is a .262 lifetime hitter with 183 home runs and 732 RBI across his pro career.

Nicely’s return marks the re-signing of the Revs’ staff ace, and the league’s top left-handed starter from last season. Along with the return of Mesa and Nellie Rodriguez (2021 Revs Player of the Year), all three major organizational award-winners are now under contract to return in 2022.

Nicely’s 3.74 ERA finished second in the league, while he totaled the second-most innings (career-high 142.0) and the sixth-most victories, finishing with a 9-9 record in his 24 appearances (23 starts). The 27-year-old was particularly stellar on a nine-start stretch from mid-August through October 1, during which he rolled out a 2.79 ERA. That span included a 4-0 record in the month of September as he took home Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors. Nicely enjoyed a total of five starts in which he held the opposing team without an earned run.

“He was one of the top two starting pitchers in the league last year,” commented Mason.  “He was our solidifier in the starting rotation, pitched a lot of big games. He was a workhorse for us. We’re really happy to have him back.”

A Grottoes, VA native, Nicely signed with the Houston Astros as a 10th-round draft pick out of Spotswood (VA) High School in 2013 after previously committing to the University of Virginia. Nicely spent four seasons in the Astros system and initially joined the Revs for one start late in 2019 following the completion of a second campaign spent with Evansville of the Frontier League. Nicely is 30-34 with a 4.48 ERA in his seven-year pro career.

The Revs now have four players under contract for the upcoming season, all of whom have starred in York in recent seasons with Mesa and Nicely joining power-hitting infielders Rodriguez and Carlos Franco, whose respective returns were announced the previous week. The club will continue to unveil its latest signings each Monday at 6 p.m. on Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy, with the next episode set to air on Monday, February 21, on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK, also streaming on 989woyk.com and The New WOYK app.

About the York Revolution:
The York Revolution Professional Baseball Club is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Revolution was Atlantic League Champions in 2010, 2011, and 2017. The 2021 season is the team’s 14th. Located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way, PeoplesBank Park hosts all Revolution home games, in addition to myriad events through the entire calendar year. For tickets or more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487) or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB):
The Atlantic League is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

REVS PACK POWERFUL ONE-TWO PUNCH INTO FIRST TWO SIGNINGS OF 2022

Rodriguez, Franco Look To Anchor Middle of Lineup Again in York

(February 8, 2022, York, Pa.) — The York Revolution kicked off the 2022 preseason signing period with a pair of returning stars, re-signing power-hitting first baseman Nellie Rodriguez along with his middle-of-the-order counterpart, left-handed hitting third baseman Carlos Franco. The first two contract signings were announced by Revs manager Mark Mason live on Monday’s season premiere of Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK.

Rodriguez was an Atlantic League All-Star and named the team’s Player of the Year during his first season in York in 2021, enjoying one of the most impactful offensive seasons in the league and in Revs history. The slugging first baseman batted .316 with 25 home runs and 81 RBI in 91 games. He ranked 6th in the league in home runs and T-9th in RBI despite spending a month away while playing in the Mexican League. He also ranked 4th in on-base percentage (.444), 3rd in slugging (.603), 2nd in OPS (1.047), and 7th in walks (69). Those totals placed him T-3rd in homers, 1st in on-base percentage, 3rd in slugging, and 8th in walks in a single season in Revs franchise history, and he will enter the 2022 season as the Revs’ all-time career leader in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Rodriguez enjoyed hitting streaks of 15, 14, and 11 consecutive games and homered in all three games of a sweep vs. Southern Maryland, Sept. 21-23, including a walk-off two-run shot on September 23 as the Revs made an exciting postseason push over the season’s final weeks.

“He’s a gigantic presence in the middle of order,” commented Mason. “He plays a really good first base, is a great clubhouse guy, great character guy. He missed some time last year between Mexico and becoming a father. Had he been here the entire year he might have had over 40 home runs just with us.”

Rodriguez followed his eye-popping Atlantic League campaign by tearing it up in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he crushed 14 more home runs with 48 RBI in just 41 games for Navegantes del Magallanes, giving him a total of 40 home runs across the calendar year.

The 27-year-old Rodriguez came to York after spending the first eight seasons of his career in the Cleveland organization, reaching Triple-A Columbus in both 2017 and 2018. As a Cleveland farmhand, Rodriguez was the Carolina League MVP in 2015, pacing that circuit with 17 home runs a year after slamming 22 bombs for Lake County, tying for the Midwest League lead. At the Double-A level, Rodriguez was an Eastern League All-Star for Akron in 2016. A 15th-round draft choice of Cleveland in 2012 out of George Washington High School in New York City, Rodriguez played for 16U and 18U USA National teams during his prep days. He enters the 2022 season with 171 home runs in his pro career.

Franco enters his third season with York in 2022. The heavy-hitting corner infielder first arrived in York in 2019, batting .319 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI in just 84 games played. He followed that performance by hitting .311 with 13 more home runs and 56 RBI in only 51 games played in 2021, while also spending a chunk of the season in the Mexican League, where he totaled nine more homers and 34 RBI between Tabasco and Oaxaca. Franco will enter this season ranked fourth in Revs history in career on-base percentage (.417), sixth in slugging (.539), and tied with Rodriguez for ninth in batting (.316).

“We’re thrilled to have Carlos back,” said Mason. “One thing about your lineup is when you have a lot of good hitters consecutively, you can’t pitch around anybody. He provides left-handed power, can play both first and third base. He’s a great guy too, lots of fun to be around, and plays the game really hard.”

Franco, 30, spent the first 10 years of his pro career in the Atlanta Braves organization, reaching Triple-A Gwinnett in 2017 and 2018. The Bani, DR, native originally signed with Atlanta as a teenager in 2009 and became an International League All-Star in 2018, when he ranked 4th in the league with 76 RBI. The previous season, he tied for the lead among all Braves farmhands with 21 home runs and ranked 2nd in RBI with 77, trailing only MLB All-Star Ronald Acuna, Jr. Franco enters the season a career .254 hitter with 111 home runs and 637 RBI.

The Revs will continue to unveil player signings on a weekly basis each Monday at 6 p.m. on Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK. The next airing is scheduled for Monday, February 14, and will also be available to stream at 989woyk.com and The New WOYK app.

About the York Revolution:
The York Revolution Professional Baseball Club is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Revolution was Atlantic League Champions in 2010, 2011, and 2017. The 2021 season is the team’s 14th. Located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way, PeoplesBank Park hosts all Revolution home games, in addition to myriad events through the entire calendar year. For tickets or more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487) or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com.

About WellSpan Health:
WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization includes a clinically integrated network of approximately 2,600 physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs), including more than 1,600 employed physicians and APPs; a regional behavioral health organization; a home care organization; eight respected hospitals; approximately 20,000 employees; and more than 200 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities. Visit WellSpan.org.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB):
The ALPB is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Through its partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment and collaborates on marketing and technology initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent more than 950 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 43 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

BIG LEAGUE ARM JOINS TWO KEY RETURNEES IN LATEST ROUND OF REVS SIGNINGS

Gonzalez Added to Rotation,
Rodriguez and Herrera Re-Sign for Second Season in York

(March 1, 2022, York, Pa.) — The York Revolution continues to build its 2022 roster as Major League right-hander Merandy Gonzalez joins returning reliever Alberto Rodriguez and infielder Josue Herrera as the latest three additions. The trio of signings was announced by Revs manager Mark Mason live on Monday evening’s episode of Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK.

Gonzalez joins the Revs for his 10^th pro season, sporting spectacular minor league numbers to go with productive big league time. The 26-year-old originally signed with the New York Mets in 2013 from his native Dominican Republic and held a sub-3.00 ERA in three of his first four professional seasons. He made his biggest splash in 2017 when he was a South Atlantic League All-Star and began that season as the league’s pitcher of the month after going 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 28.1 innings that April. He combined to go 13-3 with a 1.66 ERA in the Mets and Miami Marlins organizations that season, as he was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline in exchange for 2016 NL All-Star reliever AJ Ramos.

Gonzalez was placed on the Marlins’ 40-man roster at the end of the 2017 season and debuted in 2018 at Double-A Jacksonville, only to be promoted and make his Major League debut that April at age 22. In eight big league outings including one start, Gonzalez earned a pair of victories, going 2-1 with a 5.73 ERA.

Gonzalez spent 2019 in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system and pitched in the Mexican League last year. He owns a 36-23 career minor league record with a 3.06 ERA in 132 appearances (75 starts).

“He made it to the big leagues at a really young age,” explained Mason. “We’ll look at him to be a starter coming in here even though he can pitch in relief as well. He was really excited to come and get an opportunity. If he performs the way he’s capable, he has a great chance of getting picked up by a Major League club.”

Rodriguez returns to York after leading the Atlantic League with 53 appearances last season, going 6-4 with a 4.11 ERA. He was touched for an earned run only twice in his final 25 outings, and from August 4 on gave up just three runs (one earned) on seven hits in 20.2 innings to end the year. Overall he yielded only 48 hits in 57.0 innings for the season while striking out 59 batters. Among his biggest highlights was earning the win with a pair of scoreless innings on Sept. 7 at Lancaster, while also blasting his first career hit on a two-run double to deep left at Clipper Magazine Stadium. 

“He was available anytime we needed him to pitch,” commented Mason. “He had fewer hits than innings pitched, more strikeouts than innings pitched, and when you get that combination of numbers usually good things happen. In a year where individual and team ERAs were through the roof, he was able to log a ton of appearances and put up a strong season.”

A native of Havana, Cuba, Rodriguez moved to the United States during his youth and attended high school in Tampa, FL before enrolling at Northwest Florida State College. From there, he was selected in the 18^th round of the 2014 draft by the Kansas City Royals. After two years in the Royals organization, Rodriguez enjoyed a strong 2017 campaign in the American Association, leading to his Atlantic League debut with Sugar Land late that season. After spending 2018 with the Road Warriors, Rodriguez returned to the Atlantic League with York as the league’s most durable reliever last season.

Herrera returns after batting .256 with nine home runs, 19 doubles, and 40 RBI in 83 games for the Revs in 2021. The 25-year-old enters his seventh pro season, having previously played in the Diamondbacks, Brewers, and Orioles organizations. 

Herrera played primarily third base for York while also making starts at first base and second base. The versatile left-handed hitter particularly enjoyed PeoplesBank Park, batting .318 at home, and had a knack for the clutch throughout his first season in York. Among his highlights, Herrera ripped a game-tying eighth inning double on July 3 vs. Lancaster in a franchise record comeback victory. The following day, he blasted his first Revs home run onto the clubhouse roof in right field, sparking a July 4 victory in front of a sold out crowd. Herrera added a grand slam on August 20 versus Gastonia along with a walk-off two-run homer the following night. Five days later, he provided the winning two-run single in the eighth in a comeback win at Long Island as the Revs built a second-half push in the North Division. Herrera saw action with Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League this off-season.

“He showed a lot of power in less than a half season of full at-bats,” reflected Mason. “He was really tough on right-handed pitchers, and his defense got a lot better during the course of the year. He’s another young player with a lot of potential and gives us some options to move him around the infield.”

The Revs now have 10 players under contract for the 2022 season and will continue to unveil additions to the roster each Monday live on Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK. The next episode airs Monday, March 7 at 6 p.m.

About the York Revolution:
The York Revolution Professional Baseball Club is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Revolution was Atlantic League Champions in 2010, 2011, and 2017. The 2022 season is the team’s 15th. Located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way, PeoplesBank Park hosts all Revolution home games, in addition to myriad events through the entire calendar year. For tickets or more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487) or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB):
The Atlantic League is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

FerryHawks Add Kacy Clemens

(February 28, 2022) STATEN ISLAND, NY - The Staten Island FerryHawks inked their first professional player in franchise history, first baseman Kacy Clemens. 

Clemens, the son of New York Yankees great Roger Clemens, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and reached levels as high as Double-A. Last season, Kacy put together an impressive season with the Kane County Cougars, an Independent team in the American Association League. The 6'2" lefty from Texas slashed .278/.371/.455 with an OPS of .826 and 12 home runs over 77 games.

"We are delighted to announce Kacy Clemens has just signed with the Staten Island Ferryhawks as a first baseman. Following in the footsteps of his father, famed pitcher Roger Clemens, we are excited to have another Clemens on the field in New York." said John Catsimatidis, Chairman. 

"I'm going to do everything I can to make the stadium and atmosphere as fun and as exciting as it can be for the fans so we can bring something fun and exciting to Staten Island. Ultimately, I want to bring a championship to Staten Island!" said Kacy Clemens. 

    "Kacy is a perfect first FerryHawk- a solid veteran with a high level of baseball experience from the University of Texas who brings a competitive fire and an appreciation for community engagement." said Eric Shuffler, President.

"We know what type of players we are looking to represent Staten Island. Kacy certainly fits that description. After my conversations with him and learning more about his community sense and values, he is exactly a perfect fit, and we are happy that he is part of the FerryHawk Family! He's the type of player we want on and off the field and in our clubhouse. He has a winning pedigree, and we are delighted." said Gary Perone, General Manager.    

    "Having Kacy be the organization's first signing is truly special. Having played with Kacy, I can speak firsthand about his character, work ethic, and strong desire to win. He is exactly the guy we want to build a championship team around." said Eddie Medina, Baseball Operations Director.

With this special announcement, the organization released a limited edition ticket package (222 packages) to the fans to celebrate this special day. The package will include two (2) tickets, two (2) sodas, and two (2) hotdogs. (Available for sale in the team store!)
 

The Staten Island FerryHawks are a Major League Baseball partnered franchise that will play in the high-quality Atlantic League in the Spring of 2022. Our mission is to create a home for everyone in the Staten Island community and solidify a fun and exciting family experience that fans will never forget. The FerryHawks will play their home games at the newly improved baseball stadium next to the Staten Island Ferry along Richmond Terrace in Downtown Staten Island. We are excited to have you and become part of our #FerryHawksFamily.

Alberto Callaspo Headlines Next Wave of Dirty Bird Signings