STORMERS GO TO BATTLES

Lancaster Adds Shortstop for 2026

The Lancaster Stormers have signed former Tampa Bay minor league infielder Jalen Battles, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

The shortstop becomes the 25^th player on the Stormers roster heading into spring training.

Battles, 26, was Tampa Bay’s fifth round pick in the 2022 draft out of the University of Arkansas.  The native of San Antonio, Texas reached Class AA Montgomery in his first full professional season in 2023 and advanced to Class AAA Durham last season.

The right-handed hitter has compiled a .216 average over 214 professional games.

With the Razorbacks, Battles hit .279 with 16 home runs over his two seasons.

“Jalen is a player we went after hard,” said Peeples.  “We have heard great things about him defensively.  You know I want my shortstop to be fundamentally sound.”

The Stormers begin their quest for a fifth consecutive playoff berth at York on April 21.  Three nights later, the curtain rises on the 21^st season of baseball at Penn Medicine Park as Lancaster hosts the Long Island Ducks at 6:45.