Former Brave Marksberry Comes to Lancaster; Lefty Nate Reed Makes Return

The Lancaster Barnstormers continue to augment their 2018 pitching staff with the arrival of former Atlanta right-hander Matt Marksberry and the return of left-hander Nate Reed, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

With the signings, the Barnstormers have 15 players on their active roster for the upcoming campaign.

Marksberry, 27, spent four seasons in the Braves’ organization, reaching the Major Leagues in 2015 and 2016.  Atlanta’s 15^th round pick out of Campbell University in 2013 has appeared in 35 big league games, all in relief, going 0-3.

In Atlanta’s farm system, the southpaw posted a 3.49 ERA over those four years, working a variety of roles.  He recorded 222 strikeouts in 237.2 innings.

Last year, the Cincinnati native got into six games with the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am Association, working 4 1/3 innings.  The Barnstormers recently acquired his rights in a trade with Quebec.

“Matt wanted to get into this league to see if he can get from here back to the big leagues,” said Peeples.  “From what I’ve been told, he has been able to work his velocity back into the low 90’s and has a deceptive delivery that is tough to pick up.”

Reed, 30, has previously spent three tours of duty with the Barnstormers.  The Reading-area native went 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in the 2013 season and was 8-7 with a 3.80 ERA in 2015.  Last year, the southpaw was 2-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 11 starts before his contract was purchased by the San Francisco Giants in late June.  He has 243 strikeouts over his 250.2 career innings in Lancaster, ranking him fifth on the Barnstormers’ all-time career list.

His final start for the Barnstormers in 2017 was a complete-game, 3-1, win over New Britain.  Reed carried a three-hit shutout with one strike to go before yielding a home run to the Bees’ Jovan Rosa, then picked up his 12^th strikeout of the night, one shy of the franchise record.

Reed also notched Lancaster’s only win in the 2015 Freedom Division Series against Southern Maryland.

The Kutztown University product signed with Seattle in 2010 and spent two seasons in their system.  Following the 2013 season, he signed with Boston and split the 2014 campaign between Class A Salem and Class AA Portland.  Last year, he was 3-2 with a 6.40 ERA in 11 games (eight starts) with Class AA Richmond.

He spent a portion of 2016 with the York Revolution and has also pitched in Mexico three of the last four winters.

“Nate has pitched well for us here,” said Peeples.  “He did not sign back with the Giants and wants to come here and perform well again.”