LINCOLN — The Saltdogs added some major offensive weaponry Wednesday, acquiring SS Juan Martinez, OF Dexter Kjerstad and 1B Rene Leveret from Amarillo in exchange for cash considerations.
Martinez hit .301 with eight home runs, 60 RBI and was fourth in the American Association with 27 doubles in 2015. He went 16-for-28 with two home runs and eight RBI in six games against the Saltdogs.
The 28-year old from Los Angeles began his professional career in the San Francisco Giants organization in 2009 out of Oral Roberts University. Martinez played for Saltdogs manager Ken Oberkfell on the Newark Bears in 2012.
Kjerstad joined Amarillo in July, and was one of the most productive hitters in the American Association the rest of the season. The 23-year old hit .300 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 45 games.
Kjerstad clubbed nine doubles, six triples and posted an impressive .584 slugging percentage, which would have ranked second in the league if he had had enough at-bats to qualify.
The Amarillo native hit .265 with eight home runs and 48 RBI in 131 games over two seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization. He began his collegiate career at the University of Texas before transferring to University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Leveret hit .290 with 12 home runs and ranked fifth in the league with 74 RBI last season.
The 29-year old helped Quebec to four consecutive Can-Am League championships from 2010-13.
Hailing from the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, Leveret spent his first four seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization, where he hit .303 with 25 home runs and 198 RBI in 288 games.
To make room on the roster, the Saltdogs released LHP Moises Melendez, RHP Jesse Smith, 1B/OF Jeremy Hamilton and C Mitch Canham.