Golden Eagles Professional Update - Double A and Single A

#19  - Brian Moran (2007) – LHP – Jackson Generals

Selected in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB draft, the UNC Chapel Hill graduate has been successful at every stop he has made in the minor leagues so far. In 2009 Moran compiled a 3.18 ERA over 28.1 innings with 31 strikeouts. Last season brought even greater success for Moran as he posted a 1.73 ERA and was named a Mid-Season All-Star. So far this season, the nephew of B.J. and Rich Surhoff has had difficulty pitching in Double-A for the first time, but he has struck out 31 batters in 33.2 innings of relief.

#18 - Jake Shaffer (2007) – LF – Jackson Generals

The leftfielder from Northern Kentucky was selected in the fifteenth round of the 2008 draft by the Seattle Mariners. Shaffer has improved consistently at each stop of his minor league career. Last season, he batted .336/.388/.511 with nine homeruns. So far this season, Shaffer has already eclipsed his homerun total from last season with ten while batting an impressive .293/.334/.463 despite playing in Double-A.

#23 - Lance Durham (2009) – DH – Lansing Lugnuts

Playing for the Lansing Lugnuts in the Toronto minor league organization, Durham was drafted in 2009 by Toronto after playing collegiately at the University of Cincinnati. Last season was Durham’s best so far in the minors batting .256/.371/.468 with nine homeruns and 35 RBI. The son of former major leaguer Leon “Bull” Durham already has 20 RBI this season after making the jump from Short-Season A to Single A.

#9 - Anthony Giansanti (2008-2009) – OF – Peoria Chiefs

Returning to Siena College after being drafted in 2009, Giansanti signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Cubs in 2010. At Siena, the Aventura, FL native starred finishing his collegiate career among the greatest Saints ever with numerous records such as ranking third in career homeruns (28). Last season with the Chiefs, Giansanti batted .317/.380/.437 with 32 RBI. So far this season, the outfielder already has nine homeruns and 38 RBI putting him well ahead of his 2010 totals.

#40 – Stefen Romero (2008) – OF – Clinton LumberKings

This 2008 Golden Eagle was drafted in the 12^th round of the 2010 draft by Seattle after a successful collegiate career at Oregon State University which included being named to the All-Pac First Team in 2010. In his first professional season this year, Romero has been successful batting .270/.344/.440 with eight homeruns and 33 RBI.  The Tuscon, AZ native is tied for Clinton’s lead in homeruns and is near the top in most other offensive categories.

#9 – Chad Stang (2008) – CF – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Drafted in 2009 by the Milwaukee Brewers, Stang played for the organization’s Helena Brewers before missing all of last season due to a shoulder injury. The centerfielder from British Columbia has been hot with the bat this season hitting .324 good for second on the Timber Rattlers.

#9 – Jakob Dalfonso (2009) – DH – Rome Braves

Born in Woodstock, GA and attending school at Middle Georgia College, Dalfonso was selected in the 2009 draft by the Atlanta Braves. Last season, Dalfonso batted .301/.395/.386 for the Danville Braves before making the jump to the Rome Braves in Single A this season. With Rome this season, Dalfonso was been named the South Atlantic League (SAL) Player of the Week on May 31^st and was named a SAL Mid-Season All-Star. His 2011 batting line stands at .277/.327/.421 with nine homeruns.

#24 – Mike Ferraro (2009) – OF – Charleston RiverDogs

Playing in the New York Yankees’ farm system, Ferraro was selected in the 20^th round of the 2010 draft. Ferraro played collegiately for the University of San Diego batting .364/.429/.538 for the Toreros in 2009. So far this season, the Irvine, CA native has appeared in 13 games hitting .265 in Single A with a .627 OPS.

#19 – Nathan Forer (2009) – RHP – Charleston RiverDogs

The second of three Golden Eagles alumni playing for the RiverDogs, Forer pitched for Southern Illinois in college receiving a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and being named to ESPN The Magazine’s All-District V first team. After being drafted by the Yankees in 2010, Forer pitched well in 22 relief appearances compiling a 3.86 ERA. This season, the Brampton, ON native has earned three saves out of the RiverDogs bullpen.

#26 – Kevin Mahoney (2007) – 2B – Charleston RiverDogs

The Canisius College graduate hailing from Miller Place, NY was fittingly drafted by the New York Yankees in the 23^rd round of the 2009 draft. At Canisius Mahoney holds the school’s career lead in runs scored (202), hits (317), and RBI (130). The second baseman was also selected as the 2009 MAAC Player of the Year and the 2008 Rawlings Coastal Plains Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, Mahoney hit well with a .286/.400/.471 batting line and eight homeruns. With the RiverDogs and Tampa Yankees this season, Mahoney is batting .279/.351/.434 and already has six homeruns.

#44 – Adam Veres (2007) – RHP – Greensboro Grasshoppers

Drafted out of St. Petersburg Junior College in the 2008 draft by St. Louis, Veres currently plays in the Florida Marlins minor league system. Veres has served as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher in his three year professional career. In 2008, his first professional season, the Palm Beach Gardens, FL native struck out 58 batters in 43.1 innings earning three wins and a 3.32 ERA. In 2009 Veres earned three wins and a 4.00 ERA with 75 strikeouts. Last season, Veres earned four wins. With Greensboro and facing tougher Single A competition, Veres has pitched solely in relief striking out 18 batters in 24 innings while earning two wins for the 8-9 Grasshoppers.