1B Alan Harris and P Andrew Velez
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Juniors Alan Harris and Andrew Velez will provided experience and leadership to upcoming summer’s Bombers.
Bryan-College Station, TX (January 22, 2009) –
The Brazos Valley Bombers announced the signing today of Alan Harris and Andrew Velez, both of whom expect to be solid contributors to the team in their bid for the TCL Championship. The pair of juniors from the University of New Orleans will provide experience and leadership to a young and talented team.
Towering over the plate at six-foot-seven, Harris will be the tallest player to ever don a Bombers uniform. After an illustrious career at Mississippi Clinton High School that included Team Offensive MVP Honors in 2006, Harris’ trek led him to the University of New Orleans. The 240 pound first baseman expects to be a mainstay in the Privateers’ lineup this season after a superb sophomore season in which he hit .329 in 36 games. He hit three home runs and knocked in 21 runs at an incredible rate of one RBI per 3.48 at-bats, which was second on the team behind Josh Vander Hey. Harris figures to provide plenty of power in a Bombers lineup that already includes last season’s returnees Danny Hernandez and Cliff Vaughn.
Velez joins the Bombers with a wealth of experience after pitching nearly 30 games the past two seasons for Southeastern Louisiana. As a sophomore last season, the right-hander compiled a 3.31 era while limiting opposing hitters to a .230 batting average. His prowess on the mound was recognized by New Orleans, who signed him for the upcoming season. At Brother Martin High School in Metairie, Louisiana, Velez put his versatility on display, gaining three letters each in baseball and football. Velez caught the attention of several colleges during his senior season in which he was named to the All-Metro team after amassing a 3.23 era and striking out 50 batters in 54.1 innings of work. The Bombers expect Andrew Velez to step in immediately as a solid contributor to their pitching staff.
The Bombers are members of the Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers 48-game season begins on June 5 and runs through August 8, followed by the TCL playoffs and a championship series. Season tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. More information is available by calling the Bombers ticket office at (979) 779-PLAY, visiting the Bombers office in Bryan, or logging on to the Bombers’ official web site at www.bvbombers.com.
