All-Star First Baseman Hobson Re-Signs

All-Star first baseman K.C. Hobson has agreed to rejoin the Lancaster Barnstormers for 2017, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

In addition, the Barnstormers have signed right-hander Anthony Carter, who has pitched at the Class AAA level in four different organizations.

Hobson, 26, finished fourth in the Atlantic League with 24 home runs and a .320 batting average in 2016.  He also ended the season second with a .570 slugging percentage.  The lefty slugger connected in back-to-back games six different times over the course of the season.  He whacked 14 home runs and knocked home 32 runs in a 30-game stretch from August 13 thru September 12 and finished the season having reached base in his last 26 games and in 41 of his last 42.

Prior to coming to Lancaster, the California native spent 6 ½ seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system, including the equivalent of two years with Class AA New Hampshire.  He led the Midwest League with 43 doubles in 2012 and tied for second in the Florida State League with 19 homers the following year.

He was signed by the Chicago White Sox during the off-season but was released late in spring training.

“We were hoping that K.C. would stick after the year he had with us last year,” said Peeples.  “But we sure are glad to have him back in the Barn.”

Carter, 30, signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2006 and won 11 games in consecutive seasons (2008-09) in their organization.  The right-hander switched to the bullpen in 2010 and saved 22 games for Class AA Birmingham.

A native of Georgia, Carter has reached the Class AAA level with the White Sox, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.  He saved 24 games for Pawtucket in 2013.  Last year, the right-hander appeared in 21 games for Round Rock.

Carter has also pitched overseas, spending much of the 2014 season with the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japanese Pacific League.  He entered 48 games in Japan.

“Carter is a power arm that we look forward to having in the back end of our bullpen,” Peeples said.

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