Shark Bytes: A Camden RiverSharks Blog: McKellar, Six Others Picked Up By Sugarland In Expansion Draft

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Josh Banks

Sugar Land, TEXAS – The Sugar Land Skeeters have obtained the Atlantic League negotiating rights of seven players in the Atlantic League Expansion Draft Friday. Most notable from the list are former major league pitchers Logan Kensing and Josh Banks.

“We are excited about the results of the draft,” said Gary Gaetti, Manager of the Sugar Land Skeeters. “We wanted to focus on obtaining the best talent available. All of these guys have at least Triple A experience. ”

Former major league pitcher Logan Kensing from San Antonio, Texas, has been selected from the Bridgeport Bluefish. Kensing played college ball at Texas A&M before being drafted by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2003 Amateur Draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates have invited Kensing to attend spring training.

From the Long Island Ducks, the Skeeters have chosen former major league pitcher Josh Banks. Banks was drafted in the second round of the 2003 Amateur Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. His most recent appearance in MLB was with the Houston Astros in 2010.

Austin native Ryan McKeller has been picked from the Camden Riversharks. Drafted in 2002, McKeller spent 7 seasons pitching in the Astros organization. He finished the 2009 season with his hometown Round Rock Express before joining the Riversharks in 2010.

Shortstop Iggy Suarez was picked in the draft from the Lancaster Barnstormers. Suarez played college baseball at Texas State University before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2003 draft.

From the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Skeeters have drafted outfielder Ben Harrison. Harrison was drafted out of the University of Florida by the Texas Rangers in 2004. He spent seven seasons with the Rangers organization before joining the Blue Crabs in 2010.

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Houston was selected from the five-time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998, Houston has 13 years of professional experience. During 2008, Houston spent the season pitching for the Round Rock Express.

Veteran of 13 seasons, catcher Octavio Martinez was selected by the Skeeters from the two-time defending Atlantic League Champion York Revolution. Martinez was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1999 Amateur Draft.

About the Sugar Land Skeeters: The Sugar Land Skeeters minor league baseball team, led by Manager and former Major League All-Star Gary Gaetti, will play in the $35 million Constellation Field, which is being constructed by the City of Sugar Land and the Skeeters at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A. The Sugar Land Skeeters will play 70 regular season home games annually, starting with the 2012 season, presented by ABC Home & Commercial Services, beginning on April 26. Constellation Field will play host to a multitude of other sporting events, including football, soccer, lacrosse, cheerleading and band competitions, as well as concerts, group outings and scout sleepovers. Fixed-seat stadium capacity is approximately 6,200 for baseball, plus additional lawn and standing-room-only tickets. Constellation Field has a capacity of 10,000-plus in concert configuration.

The Sugar Land Skeeters offices are presently located at 16160 City Walk in Sugar Land Town Square, Sugar Land, TX 77479 where additional information, tickets and Inaugural Season merchandise are available. The Skeeters may be reached at www.SugarLandSkeeters.com or by calling 281.240.HITS (4487), and on Facebook (facebook.com/SugarLandSkeeters) and Twitter (@SL_Skeeters).