BARNSTORMERS INK TWO NEWCOMERS

Marte, Dugan Heading to Lancaster

The Lancaster Barnstormers have inked two new position players for the 2020 season, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

Infielder Luis Marte and outfielder/first baseman Kelly Dugan will join the Barnstormers as first-time Atlantic Leaguers, bringing the total number of players under contract to start the season at 14.

Marte, 26, signed with the Texas Rangers in 2011.  The right-handed batter spent seven seasons in the Texas organization, peaking at Class AAA Round Rock in 2017.  He switched to the Atlanta Braves during the 2018 season, a year in which he batted .269 with five home runs for three different clubs.

Last year, the native of the Dominican Republic batted .260 with five homers and 33 RBI for Class AAA Gwinnett.  The versatile Marte has played 635 games at shortstop, 111 at third base and 58 at second over the course of his minor league career.

“We have gotten good reports on Luis,” said Peeples.  “He is a very solid defender and will bring some quality at bats to our lineup.”

Dugan, 29, was the second round draft choice for the Philadelphia Philles in 2009.  The lefty batter belted a career-high 20 homers in 2013, a year in which he split time between Class A Clearwater and Class AA Reading.  The California native added 13 homers to his career totals in both 2016 with Class AA Tennessee in the Chicago Cubs organization and in 2017 with Jackson in the Arizona system.

He peaked at Class AAA Lehigh Valley, batting .221 in 36 games in 2015.

After sitting out the 2018 campaign, Dugan played 56 games for the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association.  He batted .313 with six homers and 35 RBI last year.

The new Barnstormer is the son of Hollywood actor Dennis Dugan, who appeared in several TV series during the 1970’s and 1980’s and was the director of the Adam Sandler classic, Happy Gilmore, among other full-length movies.

“Dugan brings a bat that will fit into our lineup,” said Peeples.  “He will play some outfield and some first base as well.”