BARNSTORMERS ADD THREE TO ’17 ROSTER

The Lancaster Barnstormers have continues to build their defense up the middle with the additions of catcher Anderson De La Rosa and shortstop Vladimir Frias to their roster for the 2017 season, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

A third player, right-handed reliever Scott Shuman, has also been signed.

De La Rosa, 32, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004. The native of Venezuela spent 10 seasons in the Milwaukee farm system, reaching Class AAA during the 2010 and 2013 seasons. The right-hander hitting receiver went to the Angels’ organization in 2014 and to the Kansas City Royals for 2015. He did not play in 2016.

“De La Rosa is a very good defensive catcher who works with a staff very well,” said Peeples. “We look forward to having him come in and doing just that with us.”

Frias, 30, signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2008 after playing collegiately at Tennessee Wesleyan College. The switch hitter spent two seasons in the Giants’ system before heading to Boston, where he reached Class AA Portland in 2011. He has also spent a portion of one season in the Chicago Cubs organization.

The native of the Dominican Republic has played for the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association for the past three seasons, hitting a composite .279 and stealing 62 bases. In 2015, Frias batted .331, finishing in the top 15 in the circuit.

“Frias is an exciting defensive player with a very good arm,” said Peeples. “We hear that he can flat out play some shortstop.”

Shuman, who will turn 29 by the start of the season, is a former Tampa Bay and San Francisco farmhand. The hard throwing right-hander has two years of experience in the Atlantic League,

appearing in 60 games with Bridgeport and Long Island. In a combined 58 2/3 innings, the Georgia native has allowed 46 hits and 29 walks while striking out 82. He has a 2.76 ERA.

“Shuman is a guy I know from Georgia that I have wanted to get her the last couple of seasons,” Peeples added. “He is a hard thrower and fierce competitor that we hope can be one of the back end guys in our bullpen.”