Barnstormers Add Two More to Pitching Staff

The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed left-handers Tommy Shirley and John Anderson to contracts for the 2017 season, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

With the two signings, the Barnstormers now have 18 players under contract for the upcoming campaign, the 13^th in franchise history.

Shirley, 28, signed with the Houston Astros in 2010 and performed a variety of roles in the Houston system. With Class AA Corpus Christi in 2014, the Pennsylvania native posted a 7-3 record with a 1.88 ERA in 17 appearances, including 13 starts. Last year, Shirley went 7-7 with a 5.38 ERA at Class AAA Fresno before signing with the Detroit Tigers late in the season and appearing in nine games for Class AA Erie.

In his career, the Xavier University product is 22-21 with a 3.45 ERA. He has a 2.6 strikeout to walk ratio over his seven professional seasons.

“Tommy has really good numbers over his career,” said Peeples. “We are going to have him come in here and start to give us another lefty in the rotation.”

Anderson, 28, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008 and has spent his entire career in the Toronto system. The California native spent a portion of the last two seasons with Class AAA Buffalo. Last year, Anderson was 4-9 between Buffalo and Class AA New Hampshire.

He is 23-32 with a 4.67 ERA over his career. Anderson has a lifetime strikeout to walk ratio of 2.2.

“Anderson is a power lefty that we will use out of the bullpen,” said Peeples. “In his career, when he has pitched out of the pen for an entire year, he has been effective.”