stormers News

Two Big Cogs Return


Two huge pieces of the Lancaster offense are back.

Outfielders Caleb Gindl and Sean Halton, All-Star players from the 2016 season, have both re-signed for the upcoming year, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

Gindl (White Sox) and Halton (Tigers) were in spring training with Major League organizations but were not offered roster spots for Opening Day.  They are former big league teammates with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Gindl, 28, batted .295 in 135 games for the Barnstormers in 2016.  He led the club with 159 hits while slugging 10 home runs and driving home 72.  The lefty batter finished second in the Atlantic League with 36 doubles.  From August 4-26, Gindl tied the franchise record with a 20-game hitting streak, batting .410 (34-83) in the process.  He had 11 doubles and four homers in over those 20 games, driving in 19 runs and scoring 15.

Perhaps the highlight of Gindl’s season was the 2016 Atlantic League All-Star Game of which he was named the Most Valuable Player, hitting a home run and a single.  He also threw out a runner at the plate from center field in the sixth inning.

He was named to the league’s year-end All-Star Team, the fourth such distinction of Gindl’s professional career.  Gindl batted over .300 in three of his first five pro seasons, finally advancing to the Major Leagues in 2013.  While with the Brewers, the Pensacola-area native broke a 0-0 tie with the Miami Marlins on a walkoff home run in the bottom of the 13th inning.

“Gindl is a great addition to the Barn,” Peeples said.  “The way he plays and approaches the game is very impressive.  We are looking for him again to be a very solid player in the top of the order and a leader in the clubhouse.  He’s a great teammate and just an overall class act.”

Halton, 29, slugged 22 home runs and drove in 71 for the Barnstormers in 106 games during the 2016 season after joining the club in mid-May.  The right-handed hitting outfielder and corner infielder ranked third in the league in slugging percentage at .550.  Twice during the season, he homered in three consecutive games.  From July 24 thru August 18, Halton batted safely in 23 of 24 games with 10 home runs and 27 RBI.

He also played for the Freedom Division in the All-Star Game, going 1-for-3 and scoring the tiebreaking run in the fifth inning as the Freedom went on to the 3-1 victory.

Like Gindl, Halton came up through the Milwaukee system and reached the Major Leagues in 2013.  He batted .238 in 42 games with four home runs and 17 RBI.  One of the home runs was a grand slam off Chicago Cubs left-hander Chris Rusin on September 18.

“Halton can play several positions and never complains about where you put him,” said Peeples.  “He just loves the game, and the way he plays and approaches the game is as professional as you can get.”

About the Lancaster Barnstormers:

The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their thirteenth season as a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.  Home games are played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit [www.lancasterbarnstormers.com]www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for more information.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB):

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population. 

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