News

FARGO, ND – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks roster or the 2016 season continues to grow, as the team has signed RHP Jose Almarante, acquired OF Kevin Taylor from the Gary SouthShore RailCats and signed him to a contract and acquired OF Brian Humphries from the Sioux Falls Canaries. Both Taylor and Humphries were acquired for cash.

Almarante, 27, spent seven seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 2008-2014 and reached the Triple-A level in both 2013 and 2014. He appeared in 17 games for the Memphis Redbirds in 2014 and was 2-0 with a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched. Almarante struck out 23 batters and walked 11 for Memphis. He did not play in 2015.

Almarante was signed by the Cardinals as a free agent in 2008 and began his career that summer in the Dominican Summer League. In his seven-year career, Almarante is 17-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 26 saves in 156 games (18 starts). He has pitched 310.2 innings and struck out 255 batters in his career.

Taylor, 24, is coming off a stellar season with the Laredo Lemurs that was capped with the 2015 American Association championship. He batted .327 with 24 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 54 RBIs and 69 runs scored in 98 games. Taylor finished third in the American Association in both on-base percentage (.435) and walks (65).

Taylor began his professional career in 2011 after being selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 36^th round of that year’s draft out of Western Nevada College. He spent three seasons in the Dodgers chain before signing with the Traverse City (MI) Beach Bums of the Frontier League in 2014. In his career, Taylor has batted .277 with 50 doubles, four triples, 21 home run, 120 RBIs and 165 runs scored in 292 games.

Humphries, 25, joins the RedHawks one year with Sioux Falls. He was one of the top offensive threats in the American Association in 2015 and batted .310 with 24 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 58 RBIs and 52 runs scored in 98 games. He ranked third in the American Association in total bases (197) and fourth in both hits (126) and at bats (406).

Humphries signed with the Colorado Rockies organization after being selected by the club in the 14^th round of the 2011 draft out of Pepperdine University (CA). He spent four seasons in the Rockies organization including the entire 2014 season at the Double-A level with the Tulsa Drillers. In five professional seasons, Humphries has batted .291 with 107 doubles, 20 triples, 31 home runs, 235 RBIs and 273 runs scored in 499 career games.

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