LANCASTER, PA — The Lancaster Stormers are gearing up for the new baseball season with exciting player signings. First baseman and outfielder Joseph Carpenter is set to return to the Stormers for a third season, and right-handed pitcher Joe Joe Rodriguez will also join the team. The news was recently announced by Ross Peeples, the team’s manager.
Carpenter, a Cedar Crest High School graduate, and Rodriguez, a New Jersey native who played in the New York Mets organization until last year, are the 11th and 12th players to sign with the defending champion Stormers for the upcoming season.
Carpenter, 24, will be joining Shawon Dunston Jr., Trace Loehr, Nile Ball, and Chris Proctor as members of both the 2022 and 2023 championship squads back for the attempt to defend their title. Carpenter made a name for himself when he joined the Barnstormers in August 2022, after playing in the MLB Draft League. His first at-bat resulted in a game-winning single against the Long Island Ducks. He went on to hit .297 with nine RBIs and one home run in his debut season. In his return in 2023, Carpenter led the Stormers with 16 home runs while maintaining a .297 batting average.
Rodriguez, also 24, was a teammate of Carpenter’s with Trenton in the Draft League in 2022. He signed with the Mets and spent the last two seasons pitching from the Florida Camp League team to Class A+ Brooklyn. In 31 appearances, he achieved a record of 4-1 with two saves and a 6.53 ERA.
“Carpenter has played very well for us over the last couple of years,” said Peeples. “He’s a young guy who simply loves the game of baseball and works hard. We look forward to watching him grow.” On Rodriguez, Peeples said, “Joe Joe has a live arm. He comes very highly recommended. We’re looking forward to having him here.”
The Stormers will begin their quest for a third consecutive Atlantic League title at Long Island on April 25. They will return home on April 30 to play the newly-minted Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. With these key player signings, the Stormers are setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting season.
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