Relief Aces Sign With MLB Organizations

Left-hander Casey Crosby, who starred in the Lancaster Barnstormers’ bullpen during a September stint in 2019, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was announced recently, while right-hander Dylan Rheault has been signed by the Cincinnati Reds.

Crosby, 31, played for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association in 2019.  The native of Maple Park, IL was 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 36 appearances for the Dogs.  The lefty allowed only 24 hits in 40.2 innings for Chicago while striking out 64.

Lancaster acquired Crosby for a player to be named later following the completion of the American Association’s regular season.  In six appearances, he was reached for only one hit while walking four and striking out 11 in six innings of work.  He was returned to the Dogs following the season.

Crosby made three starts for the Detroit Tigers in 2012, including a June 7 win over Cleveland.  He did not pitch after May 17 in the 2014 season and missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons, a stretch during which he earned his college degree in accounting.  The southpaw returned to the mound with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association in 2017 and made 17 appearances in three stops in the Minnesota system in 2018.

“We are very happy for Casey,” said Lancaster manager Ross Peeples.  “It’s good to see him get another opportunity.  He pretty much came in and dominated for us.  The way he was throwing, I was surprised to see him not with a Major League organization.”

Rheault, 27, joined the Barnstormers in September after sitting out the season until that point.  The member of Team Canada appeared in seven games, pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings.  Rheault allowed only three hits while walking three and striking out eight.

The right-hander was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of Central Michigan in 2013 and spent three seasons in the O’s organization.  He went 8-4 with a 2.82 in 34 relief appearances with Class A Delmarva in the 2014 campaign.

He spent the 2016 season in the independent American Association, going 1-1 with a save and a 3.94 ERA in 34 appearances.  From there, he signed with the San Francisco Giants and spent two years in their system.  With the Giants, he appeared in one game at the Class AAA level in 2018.

“Dylan is a guy that same in at the end of the season and really helped our bullpen out,” said Peeples.  “He has a strong arm, and you can see the potential that he brings to the table.  We’re excited to see him get the opportunity.”