The Lancaster Stormers have signed three key players to their offense for the 2025 season, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.
Slugging first baseman Mason Martin and local utility player Nick Lucky have returned for a second consecutive year while outfielder LeDarious Clark returns from an injury that has sidelined him since July, 2022.
The trio of contracts brings Lancaster’s total to 26 heading into the season opener at Long Island on April 25.
Martin, 25, had a monumental second half for the Stormers in 2024. The left-handed batter blasted 27 and drove in 73 runs in only 66 games during the regular season while batting .318. In the process, he became the first player in franchise history to hit four grand slams in the same campaign. At one point, he hit 13 homers in the span of 13 games, 11 of those coming against division rival Long Island.
The native of Kennewick, Washington originally signed with the York Revolution prior to spring training in 2024 but his contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels. When, the Angels released Martin in late June, York was on its way to a first half title and had no roster space. Lancaster signed him, and Martin played an instrumental role in the Stormers’ title chase in the second half.
He had two hits, including a double, and an RBI in the playoffs.
Martin had an enormous season at Class A in the Pittsburgh system in 2019, clubbing 35 homers and driving in 129 runs between Greensboro and Bradenton. He reached Class AAA Indianapolis in 2022 and 2023. Overall, he has belted 154 minor league home runs and knocked out 150 doubles in seven minor league campaigns.
“Martin brings a lot of value to our team,” said Peeples. “He had a big year for us and will fit right in the middle of our lineup.”
Lucky, 25, opened the ’24 season with the Stormers, hitting .281 with three homers in 32 games. He had a multi-homer game against Lexington in Lancaster on May 5 and filled in as Lancaster’s everyday shortstop for nearly a month while Isan Diaz recovered from an injury.
His contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins on June 7, and he spent the remainder of the year in the Minnesota system, playing at Class A Ft. Myers, A+ Cedar Rapids and Class AAA St. Paul for one game. He hit .203 with six homers in 60 games.
The product of Coastal Carolina was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and one RBI in nine spring training games for the parent Twins in 2025.
“Lucky is a great athlete who loves to compete,” added Peeples. “He can play both infield and outfield and will also add some speed to our lineup. He is a great asset to have on the team because he can do so many things.”
Clark, 31, slugged 31 homers and stole 52 bases over 1 ½ seasons with the Stormers in 2021 and 2022. Early in the second half of an All-Star caliber season in ’22, the outfielder sustained a devastating injury sliding into second base on a hit-and-run play.
He has not been in action since.
Prior to joining the Stormers in 2021 (he was signed for the 2020 season, which was cancelled), Clark spent five years in the Texas organization, peaking at Class AA. He belted 48 home runs and stole 99 bases in the Rangers’ system.
“Clark is an incredible athlete who had a couple of strong years for us,” said Peeples. “Hopefully, it will just take him some reps to get back to that form.”
The Stormers open their home schedule at Penn Medicine Park on Friday, May 2 against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Game time is set for 6:45.