Barnstormers sign Aaron Herr
April 13, 2005 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
Aaron Herr, the son of manager Tom Herr, has signed a contract with the Lancaster Barnstormers, according to Vice President of Baseball Operations Keith Lupton.
Herr, who turned 24 last month, was granted his release from the Seattle Mariners last week after he was told that the Mariners planned to use him in a back-up role with the organizations Double-A affiliate in San Antonio.
It will be really neat to manage Aaron and see him play everyday, said Tom Herr. I only have gotten to see him a week here and a week there during his professional career. I know that he is glad for the opportunity to play here and will take full advantage of it.
Originally a first round draft pick (40th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2000, Herr spent five seasons working his way up through the Braves organization, before being selected by Seattle in the Rule V minor league draft last December. The 5-11, 180-pound second baseman had a solid spring after coming off his best season last year, when he batted a career-high .272 with seven homers and 32 RBI in 94 games for Double-A Greenville. He also reached career highs with 20 doubles, seven stolen bases and a .341 on-base percentage.
After being drafted in 2000, the native of Lancaster steadily improved and worked his way up the minor league ladder. He batted .223 with the Gulf Coast Braves and .243 with Danville, both rookie league teams, in his first two seasons. Herr spent the 2002 and 2003 season at Single-A, batting .248 with Macon in 02 and .267 for Myrtle Beach in 03, posting a career-high 13 homers and 46 RBI that season.
We couldnt pass up the opportunity to sign a young, first round draft pick who isnt injured, said Lupton. Based on the circumstances, Aaron is perfect for this league and vice versa. He will bring a top quality of play and great leadership to our team for as long as he is with us.
The signing of Herr brings the total number of players signed by the Barnstormers to 22, with just a few days until the start of spring training. Of the 22 players, 12 are pitchers, five are infielders, three are outfielders and two are catchers. The club plans to bring about 25 players to spring training, which begins in Homestead, FL this Saturday.
The Lancaster Barnstormers begin their season on April 28 in Somerset, NJ and will open up their inaugural season at Clipper Magazine Stadium on May 11. The club will be in spring training in Homestead, FL from April 16-24. Tickets packages can now be purchased by calling 509-HITS, or by visiting www.lancasterbarnstormers.com. Individual game tickets will go on sale on April 23.
• Discuss this story on the Atlantic League message board...
Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2005
- Patriots sign former Atlanta Braves pitcher Brad Clontz - Somerset Patriots
- Bears sign four players as spring training nears - Newark Bears
- Barnstormers sign Aaron Herr - Lancaster Stormers
- Delgado cathes on to Battlin' Bucs - Atlantic City Surf
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
