Sugar Land selects former Ducks pitcher in expansion draft
(Central Islip, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2012) – Atlantic League officials today announced the results of the 2012 expansion draft. The Sugar Land Skeeters, who begin their inaugural season this year, selected former Ducks pitcher Josh Banks as one of their seven picks.
Banks joined the Ducks on August 29 after beginning the season with Triple-A Fresno in the San Francisco Giants organization. In three regular season starts, he posted a 1-1 record with a 4.24 ERA while striking out 10 batters in 17 innings. Banks’ efforts earned him starts in Game Two for both the Liberty Division Championship Series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the Atlantic League Championship Series against the York Revolution. The right-hander spent four seasons in the Major Leagues, compiling a 4-8 record with a 5.66 ERA in 27 games (19 starts).
The Skeeters selected three other pitchers, all right-handers, in the expansion draft in addition to Banks, claiming the Atlantic League negotiating rights to Bridgeport’s Logan Kensing, Camden’s Ryan McKeller and Somerset’s Ryan Houston. Lancaster infielder Ignacio Suarez, Southern Maryland outfielder Ben Harrison and York catcher Octavio Martinez rounded out Sugar Land’s selections. The seven clubs were each given the opportunity to protect up to 13 players from their 2011 rosters. Sugar Land acquires exclusive Atlantic League negotiating rights to the seven players chosen in the draft.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. The Ducks have led the Atlantic League in attendance for 12 consecutive seasons. For season ticket or advertising information, visit www.liducks.com or call 631-940-DUCK.
Banks joined the Ducks on August 29 after beginning the season with Triple-A Fresno in the San Francisco Giants organization. In three regular season starts, he posted a 1-1 record with a 4.24 ERA while striking out 10 batters in 17 innings. Banks’ efforts earned him starts in Game Two for both the Liberty Division Championship Series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the Atlantic League Championship Series against the York Revolution. The right-hander spent four seasons in the Major Leagues, compiling a 4-8 record with a 5.66 ERA in 27 games (19 starts).
The Skeeters selected three other pitchers, all right-handers, in the expansion draft in addition to Banks, claiming the Atlantic League negotiating rights to Bridgeport’s Logan Kensing, Camden’s Ryan McKeller and Somerset’s Ryan Houston. Lancaster infielder Ignacio Suarez, Southern Maryland outfielder Ben Harrison and York catcher Octavio Martinez rounded out Sugar Land’s selections. The seven clubs were each given the opportunity to protect up to 13 players from their 2011 rosters. Sugar Land acquires exclusive Atlantic League negotiating rights to the seven players chosen in the draft.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. The Ducks have led the Atlantic League in attendance for 12 consecutive seasons. For season ticket or advertising information, visit www.liducks.com or call 631-940-DUCK.
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