FORMER TOP PROSPECT DESME SIGNS WITH BARNSTORMERS

The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed outfielder Grant Desme, who will see his first action since an abrupt retirement in 2009, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

Desme, 32, had a dream season in 2009, playing with Kane County and Stockton in the Oakland A’s farm system.  The right-handed slugger belted a combined 31 home runs that season while also stealing 40 bases while batting .288.  He drove in 89 runs.

Oakland sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he added 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 27 games, becoming the MVP of baseball’s premier fall developmental circuit.

Shortly after, he contacted the Oakland front office to announce his retirement with plans to enter a Catholic monastery in his home state of California.

Currently, Desme is the head baseball coach at Ave Maria College in Florida, an NCAA-DIII school.

“Grant was a great prospect when he was coming up,” said Peeples.  “Logan Schafer (Desme’s college roommate and former Lancaster outfielder) gave me his name and had great things to say about him.  We are looking forward to see what he can do after so much time off.”