​After a successful Spring Training, the Greys have made their final roster decisions. The team has brought in Catcher Zak Whalin and Right-Hand Pitcher Jose Suero to fill the 24-manroster. 

Zak Whalin was a two-year standout in college at Central Missouri. There he slashed .358/.429/.495 with six home runs and 63 RBI’s. After a successful college career, Whalin started his professional career playing in the Mets system. Most recently he played for the New Jersey Jackals in 2022 where he caught 35 games and hit .240.

In 2022 Jose Suero was a dominant relief pitcher his senior season at Wayland Baptist. In 22 appearances, Suero pitched to a 1.85 ERA and struck out 38 batters over the course of 24.1 innings. After graduating, Jose pitched for the Frederick Keys in the MLB Draft League. Most recently he pitched for the Frederick Baseball Club in the Atlantic League where he showcased an electric fastball that tops out at 96 mph. 

The Greys will play Opening Day Friday May 12^th, as they take on the Ottawa Titans at 6.30 pm EST.

TROY, NY – The Empire State Greys took on the Tri-City ValleyCats in their final spring training matchup. The two clubs faced each other Friday in a fourteen-inning exhibition and have agreed to play twelve and a half today. Throughout the extended game, many positive signs for the club were shown on all sides of the ball. Many arms out of the bullpen impressed, the defense made an accumulation of highlight reel plays, and the team’s gap to gap power was on display.

Michael Barker took the mound as the starting pitcher for the exhibition. He displayed the ability to bounce back and pitched the second and third without allowing a run. This was in part to a run saving sliding catch made by center fielder Eric Jenkins to end the third and bring Barker’s Day to an end. Another run saving diving catch was made in the fourth inning by right fielder Eric Jenkins to help out relief pitcher Jhoendri Herrera. Herrera had a solid inning of work and was able to work out of a jam. The fifth was designated to LHP Carson Ferry, who impressed by facing just four batters and striking out two of them. Ferry also got help from his defense as DiSarcina made a diving stop at third base and threw out the runner with a strong throw from the ground to end the inning. Zach Gettys was given the 6^th inning out of the pen. Gettys demonstrated a great move to first base and was able to pick a runner off. Wilbur Perez had a solid ninth inning striking out two with great off-speed pitches. In the additional three innings played, all three arms for the Greys were lights out. LHP Tanner Propst impressed in the 10^th with his side arm release and disappearing slider, Miguel Rondon mixed his fastball and slider well in the 11^th, and Nick Trabacchi blew hitters away with his overpowering fastball in the 12^th. 

Five different Greys impressed at the plate throughout the game. Following his home run on Friday, Josh Sears showed off his power once again. Leading off the second inning, Sears took a high fastball the other way and deposited it into the Greys bullpen, a 2 run shot. Three and a half hours and ten innings later, Josh did it again but this time cleared the bullpen out in right field. John Mead also had a great day at the plate. Mead doubled to right field in both the fourth and seventh innings. Steve Barmakian and JR DiSarcina provided offense in the eighth. Barmakian hit a double to right center field and was immediately followed by DiSarcina’s home run to the deepest part of the yard. Outfielder Matt Turner provided two singles, including a bases loaded two RBI knock in the top of the 12^th. 

​The Greys will start regular season action Friday May 12^thagainst the Ottawa Titans.

Article by Greys Media

TUPPER LAKE, NY – Weather doesn’t slow down the Empire State Greys spring training as the team has started in the Adirondacks under 30 degrees.

Practices have consisted of light conditioning and flat ground bullpens for the pitchers, tee work and throwing program for hitters. The weather was a factor in how much work could be done but manager Mark Mason felt good about the players getting out on the field and getting some work.

“I’m really excited to be here and get started, I’ve been waiting for a long time and I’m just ready to see our guys get on the field and play.” – Manager Mark Mason

The Greys will continue training Thursday and are set to play the Tri-City ValleyCats on their first exhibition spring training game Friday at 11:30am at Joseph L Bruno Stadium in Albany. The team will also play the ValleyCats on Monday the 8th and wrap up camp on the 10th. Final Roster will be announced on May 10th.

The team will get on the road to on May 11th for the first time in the season and head to Ottawa to take on the Ottawa Titans on game 1 of the season.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE STATE GREYS

The Empire State Greys are a professional baseball team that plays in the MLB Partnered Frontier League. The team comes into its second season as a franchise in the Frontier League. Fans and media can stay aware of all the happenings within the Greys organization, both on and off the field, by following the team’s social media platforms @empirestgreys and website: www.empirestategreys.com

For other inquiries, email us at baseball@empireproleague.com

Article by Greys Media

Tupper Lake, NY – The Empire State Greys have signed two former 2^nd Round Picks for the 2023 season. Both Outfielders, Quentin Holmes and Eric Jenkins, will get on the Bus with the Greys.

Quentin Holmes is a 23 year old right handed Outfielder from Queens, New York. He was drafted in the 2^nd round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in NY. This will be Holmes first MLB Partnered League season as he is coming off a year in double A with the Cleveland Indians. Holmes had 33 at bats in double A where he batted .242 with a triple and 3 stolen bases. Holmes totaled 50 stolen bases in his time with Cleveland.

Eric Jenkins is a 26 year old left handed hitting Outfielder from Chadbourne, North Carolina. He was drafted in the 2^nd round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft from West Colombus High School in NC. Jenkins spent 6 years in the Cleveland Indians Organization with High A being the highest level reached. He comes to the Greys with a professional batting average of .221 with a big 145 stolen bases and 17 home runs.

“We are excited about these guys. They were chosen in the 2^nd round for a reason. They have a ton of knowledge and will fit right in with our group.” – Jerry Gonzalez

Holmes and Jenkins officially signed to the 2023 roster, joining outfielders Jordan Scott (Yankees), Matt Turner, John Mead, Aidan Willis (ABL) and Jake Ford. The team will have more signings to announce within the coming days as they fly to St. Louis for the final tryout prior to spring training camp. The roster is available on the Empire State Greys website. The league’s transaction page is available here.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE STATE GREYS

The Empire State Greys are a professional baseball team that plays in the MLB Partnered Frontier League. The team comes into its second season as a franchise in the Frontier League. Fans and media can stay aware of all the happenings within the Greys organization, both on and off the field, by following the team’s social media platforms @empirestgreys and website: www.empirestategreys.com

For other inquiries, email us at baseball@empireproleague.com

Article by Greys Media

TAMPA, FL – The Empire State Greys of the MLB partnered Frontier League have added an experienced infielder to the roster today. Josue Herrera out of the Dominican Republic will get on the bus for the 2023 season.

The 25 year old from Santo Domingo signed in 2014 with the Baltimore Orioles where he spent 5 years in the system. He was a career .242 hitter in the minor leagues during his time with the Orioles and made it as high as rookie leaver in the Florida Gulf Coast League.

Herrera was signed to the Empire League where he lasted 3 days after hitting 3 homers in 2 games and was immediately moved to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League. He posted a .247 batting average with 19 total homers and 92 Runs batted in in the Atlantic League.

He played in 2021 with the Toros del Oeste in the Dominican Winter League.

He is a strong left handed batter who will play corner infielder for the Greys and is excited about the opportunity to be in the MLB Partnered Frontier League.

This is the first signing for the Greys in 2023 as the team has begun its search to complete a competitive travel ball club this year.

Article by Empire Media

GATEWAY – The 2023 Frontier League will host its annual tryout in Gateway at the Home of the Gateway Grizzlies.

As the draft order comes out, The Empire State Greys will have the number 1 overall pick as well as the 17th overall pick.

The team did not pick up options on most of its players which means there are many roster spots available for the upcoming season as the Greys look to improve their rosters with more experienced players behind new manager Mark Mason.

“I’m thrilled to have Mark as our leader of this ball club. This is a big step for us in the right direction and having the number one overall pick is huge for us. We will be making a lot of moves this off season to put together the most competitive ball club we can.” – Jerry Gonzalez

The Greys will start camp on May 1st this year shortly after the Frontier League Tryout. The Frontier League holds its annual Tryout Camp and Draft the last Monday and Tuesday of April each year, leading directly to the start of spring training camps.  All 16 Frontier League teams will participate, along with scouts from multiple Major League teams and representatives from other independent leagues.

Over the past 12 years, an average of 36 players per year are signed by Frontier League teams out of the Tryout Camp and Draft, with many others signed by other independent leagues.  MLB organizations have signed players from each of the past eight Tryout Camps.

For more information on Tryouts, visit the league Tryouts site at frontierleague.com

Article by Greys Media

Tampa, FL – The Empire State Greys are proud to announce that All Star Trainer for the Greys during the 2022 Frontier League has accepted a job with the New York Mets organization.

The Empire State Greys have been providing opportunities to players and staff to all year to get their foot in the door of professional baseball. Which includes trainers and coaches.

We are proud to announce Danny Degregorio as the new Minor League Associate of reconditioning for the New York Mets.

DeGregorio was selected to the 2022 Frontier League All Star Game and the Greys couldn’t be more excited for DeGregorio’s promotion.

Article by Greys Media

The Empire State Greys announced Mark Mason as the club’s new manager today, hiring the 4th most winningest coach in Atlantic League history.

Mark Mason was the head coach at Washington & Jefferson College through 2002. He was pitching coach and bullpen coach of the Washington Wild Things from 2002-2004, managed the Ohio Valley Redcoats in 2005 and guided the Chillicothe Paints in 2007-2008.

Mason most recently guided the Revs during their return to the field in 2021. The skipper steered the team through a season filled with roster turnover to a late-second half playoff push that saw them in contention all the way until the next-to-last day of the season. Some of the turnover came for good reason as York saw six players’ contracts purchased by MLB organizations, tied for the most in franchise history (2007, 2011).

Mason recruited a club record eight mid-season All-Stars, three post-season All-Stars, and the Atlantic League Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons. It was all part of leading the franchise to its eighth postseason berth and fourth under his guidance. Mason also managed the Freedom Division to victory at the Atlantic League All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, this time in York at PeoplesBank Park.

Mason guided the Revolution to a 76-win season in 2016. Mason’s squad became one of the most exciting in the league, setting a club record with 11 walk-off wins and nine extra-inning wins, while leading the league with 29 home runs in the month of September. The Revs’ 34 comeback wins fell just short of matching a then-club record of 36, tied the season before. York finished the season ranking second in the league in batting average and homers, and tied for second in stolen bases in 2015.

His first stint in Washington began in 2002 as pitching coach, where he remained for three seasons. In 2005, he became manager of the Ohio Valley Red Coats and was named Frontier League Manager of the Year in his lone season as skipper of the team. In 2006, Mason returned to Washington as pitching coach, before taking the managerial reins of the Chillicothe Paints, also of the Frontier League. He managed the Paints for two seasons before joining the Wild Things for a third stint, this time as manager. Mason’s pitching staffs led the Frontier League in wins in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006.

He will take over the managerial duties for the Greys for the 2023 season.

“I’m excited to work with Eddie and Jerry because of our relationship. I’ve known them for a very long time and we have done great work together. This is a great opportunity for all of us and I’m excited for the opportunity to return to the Frontier League and build a competitive ball club.” – Mark Mason

Article by Empire Media

Information from York Revolution

Little Falls, NJ — The New Jersey Jackals (41-41) entered Saturday’s tilt with the Empire State Greys (6-77), with their playoff hopes still very much alive, but needing to take care of business at home in order to make the necessary push. 

Unfortunately for the red and black, the climb to the top got a bit steeper as the Jackals fell to the Greys by a score of 10-5 on the team’s final fireworks night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The game started off well enough for the Jackals, with a leadoff home run by Edward Salcedo on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning. The solo blast was his first with the team, extended his now six-game hitting streak, and gave the home side a 1-0 lead.

New Jersey’s second run came the very next frame with another moonshot to left field, this time off the bat of catcher Jason Agresti. The equalizing shot brought the score to 2-2, and would end up being the closest thing the Jackals would have to a lead for the rest of the contest.

From the top of the third inning to the middle of the eighth, Empire State outscored New Jersey eight to one, thanks to contributions from multiple sources. Four Greys had at least three hits in the game, including an incredible three-for-six day from third baseman John Benevolent, adding a double, triple, home run, two runs scored, and three RBI. Trey Woosley added a homer as
well within his trio of hits, to go with a pair of runs scored and RBI.

Taking on a starring role was former Jackal Mizuki Atkatsuka, who put together his best outing since coming over from Japan. The switch-pitcher operated exclusively with his right arm, tossing seven innings of three run baseball, on just six hits, one walk and six strikeouts, earning his first victory in the Frontier League.

Empire State and New Jersey will square off tomorrow at 2:05pm in the rubber match of the three-game series. You can stream the game live on FloSports.com for full video.

Article by New Jersey Jackals Media

ALBANY, NY – The Empire State Greys have made a trade with the Ottawa Titans that will send Top hitting Outfielder Liam McArthur in exchange for RHP Jared Strait and UTIL Jordan Garr.

McArthur is one of the leagues best hitters where he is batting .326 in the year in 299 plate appearances. Liam had a .411 on base percentage with 84 hits and 34 base on balls. He had a team leading 38 runs scored and a total of 98 bases. He also added 12 stolen bases.

McArthur contributed heavily to the Greys and will now be heading to the Ottawa Titans of the division.

In return, the Greys will be receiving RHP Jared Strait and Util Jordan Garr.

Garr has played in 5 different teams this season in the American Association and in the Frontier League while RHP Jared Strait comes from a trade to Ottawa from the Florence Yall’s.

Both players will be available on day 1 of the Sussex County Miners series that starts on August 16, 2022.

Article by Greys Media