The Calgary Vipers continue to load up on familiar talent as they prepare for their first season in the California Golden League. With sluggers Darryl Brinkley and Carlos Duncan and pitching ace Evan Greusel already on board for the 2008 season the Vipers today announced the signing of six more returning players.
Drew Miller, the Vipers 2006 MVP, has signed on for his fourth season in Calgary. The Medicine Hat native who represented the Vipers in last season’s All-Star game holds the club iron man record having played in every single game since the team came into existence. Miller hit .299 in 2007 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI. The 28-year old native of Medicine Hat, Alberta is currently playing in Australia.
Also agreeing to new contracts were All-Star shortstop Nelson Castro, catcher Kevin Price, utility player Shaun Ashman as well as pitchers Jordy Alexander and Geoff Freeborn.
Castro was named Baseball America Independent League All-Star along with Duncan and Brinkley last October. The 31-year old Dominican, who lives in Lynn, MA, hit .323 with 23 RBI last season for the snakes.
Both Price and Ashman saw duties in multiple roles last season. Both had stints behind the plate and in the outfield. Ashman is returning for his 4th season with the Vipers. Price is currently playing on the same team as Miller in Australia.
Freeborn had an incredible 2007 season with the Vipers. The 26-year old Airdrie resident was sensational out of the bullpen appearing in 42 games with the Vipers and accumulating a 6-2 record before leaving in late August to play for Great Britain in an Olympic qualifying tournament.
Alexander came to the Vipers at the All-Star break. The Edmonton native, now living in Calgary, started twelve games for the Vipers before suffering an injury. He returned just before the playoffs and was outstanding out of the bullpen against both Fargo and Gary in post-season play.
Calgary has also signed 24 year old left handed pitcher Jordan Neufeld for the 2008 season. Neufeld appeared in 21 games for Macon of the South Coast League last season accumulating an ERA of 3.95.
The Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats joined the Golden League in October and will compete in 2008 against Hall of Famer Gary Carter and his Orange County (CA) Flyers, Steve Yeager and his Long Beach (CA) Armada, former major league All-Star Jeffrey Leonard and his Reno (NV) SilverSox, the Chico (CA) Outlaws, St. George (UT) Roadrunners and Yuma (AZ) Scorpions. The GBL also expects expansion of up to three teams in British Columbia and Washington for the 2009 season and from two to three additional franchises in California and Arizona.
Vipers Player-Coach Darryl Brinkley leaves for Yuma, Arizona next week. He will act as a manager for the Yuma club in the Golden League’s Arizona Winter League. Vipers skipper Mike Busch will scout games in that league in mid-February.