LINCOLN –The Saltdogs concluded another busy week in the hot stove league Friday, signing RHP Nate Striz and 2011 Patriot League Player of the Year C A.J. Miller.
Striz was drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins out of high school in 2007. He opted to play collegiately at North Carolina instead, where he helped lead the Tar Heels to consecutive College World Series appearances.
Following his junior season in Chapel Hill he was drafted by the Indians, and has spent the last two seasons pitching in the Cleveland organization. The 23-year old from Lakeland, Fla. posted a 4.70 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings for Class-A Short Season Mahoning Valley (NY-Penn League) and Lake County (Midwest League).
Miller is heading to Lincoln after a year in which he earned Patriot League Player of the Year honors for Lafayette College and soon after made his professional debut for Normal (Frontier League).
The Manasquan, N.J. native hit a home run and drove in 10 in 35 games behind the plate last season for Normal. He will be reunited in Lincoln with former CornBelter teammates OF Asif Shah and RHP Ryan Sheldon.
The Saltdogs roster now stands at 27 players with two weeks until the start of training camp: 13 pitchers (four left-handers), three catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders (seven position players that are left-handed or switch-hitters). The roster will be trimmed to 22 active players by Opening Day.
The Saltdogs open the 2012 campaign May 17 at Wichita with the home opener at Haymarket Park May 23 against Sioux City. Get your Saltdogs Five Pack (five lower-box tickets for just $50!) now by calling 402-474-BALL or by visiting www.saltdogs.com.