York Revolution - York, PA Baseball

MAJOR LEAGUE ARM ADDED, THREE OTHERS RETURN
Monday, March 30, 2009

Revs Bring Back Matt Padgett, Luis Taveras And Rayner Bautista; Club Adds Righty Josh Sharpless

	Luis Taveras returns for his third season in York behind the plate

The York Revolution have signed four more for the 2009 season, it was announced today by director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone. The club welcomes back Luis Taveras for a third season, Matt Padgett for a second season, and Rayner Bautista who spent the inaugural 2007 season with the Revolution, while adding former major league reliever Josh Sharpless. The signings bring the Revs’ preseason roster count to 16, including eight pitchers (seven with major league experience).

Sharpless is not far-removed from the big leagues, having appeared in 20 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 and 2007. The Beaver, Pennsylvania native posted a 1.50 ERA in 14 appearances for the Pirates in 2006. He pitched in the Giants organization at Double-A Connecticut last season, going 1-1 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 games. In six professional seasons, the righty’s minor league record is 16-10 with a scintillating 2.82 ERA, all as a reliever.

Taveras joins Wayne Franklin and Jason Aspito as the trio of Revs entering their third season with the team, and has seen more time behind the dish than any other catcher to wear a Revolution uniform. The Dominican Republic native batted .250 with seven homers and 30 RBI in 72 games for the Revs during their inaugural season. He saw an increase in power last season, bashing 11 homeruns with 41 RBI, while hitting .245 in 68 games.

Padgett batted .303 in 126 games for the Revolution last season, while clubbing nine homers and driving in 56 runs. The former Clemson Tiger played third base, first base, left field, and designated hitter, and also excelled as a pinch-hitter going 6-for-13 in that role. One of his biggest highlights came on the final day of the regular season, when he cracked a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning at Lancaster, lifting the Revs to an improbable “War of the Roses” series win, bringing the Community Cup home to York.

Bautista was the Revs’ starting shortstop in 2007, and batted .299 with seven homeruns and 64 RBI in 106 games. He enjoyed hitting streaks during the Revs’ inaugural season of 15 games, and 22 games which is tied for second longest in team history. The 30-year-old Dominican Republic native spent last season playing professionally in Italy.

“All of these guys have the upside of potentially going back to organizations,” said Gladstone. “With Padgett’s flexibility, and ability to hit for average, he is an asset to our club. Rayner can play any infield position and could play the corner outfield positions if needed. He understands the experience of playing in York, and would relish the opportunity again. Sharpless lives in Pennsylvania and sought us out. He comes highly recommended from other people around the game. Luis is a dependable catcher and comes to the park ready to play every day. He’s capable of putting up good numbers and can handle our pitching staff.”

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Rayner Bautista was the Revolution's everyday shortstop during the inaugural 2007 campaign

Former Pittsburgh Pirate Josh Sharpless becomes the eighth pitcher to sign for 2009, and seventh with big league experience

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