(March 29) — The York Revolution have announced three more player signings for the 2017 campaign, adding a trio of arms to their pitching staff. Left-hander Logan Williamson returns to York after playing for the Revs in 2014 and 2015, while right-handers Stephen Janas and Brian Bass are new additions to the squad. The signings were announced by manager Mark Mason Tuesday evening on “Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy” on SportsRadio 1350 WOYK.
Janas was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round in 2013, and has spent the entirety of his four-year career in the Braves system, reaching Triple-A Gwinnett last season. The Marietta, GA, native began the season at Double-A Mississippi, and did not surrender an earned run in 15 of his 18 appearances, posting a 1.89 ERA, before getting promoted to Gwinnett in June.
“We’re excited to have Stephen,” Mason said on WOYK. “We’re looking for him to come in and be a starter. I think he can be a really good command type guy and eat up some innings for us in that starting role.”
Janas impressed at Triple-A as well, posting an ERA of 3.31 in 26 appearances, striking out 31. The 25-year-old is a product of Kennesaw State University, where he recorded 11 wins and 92 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.78 over the course of two seasons.
Williamson returns to the Revs after spending a year away from the game, working in sales for a building supply company while also coaching high school and college baseball. In two previous seasons in York, he worked 263.2 innings, recording 141 strikeouts and picking up 15 victories with a combined 3.58 ERA. He ranks fourth in franchise history in wins, while placing third in innings and starts (46). In 2015, Williamson did not allow a run in five of his starts, including tossing eight shutout innings against Sugar Land on June 29.
“I just realized that I’m too young to turn away [from baseball] right now, I feel too good physically,” Williamson said. “I dedicated a year to seeing what I could do away from the game, but realized that maybe it was a little too soon. Long story short, I’m back, and more ready than ever.”
Originally drafted by the White Sox in 2004, Williamson enters his 12th professional season. He has pitched in the White Sox organization and made stops in the American Association, the United League, the Canadian-American Association, the North American Baseball Association, the Mexican League, and the Atlantic League, where he first pitched for the Blue Crabs in 2013. The 32-year-old veteran has earned 83 wins and logged over 1,000 innings, posting a 4.37 ERA in his career.
“We know he can be really good, he was really good when he was here,” said Mason. “He’s another left-handed starter and someone who can do the job, he’s familiar with the league, he’s been around a long time, and he’ll be a good addition for us.”
Bass becomes the youngest member of the Revolution roster. The 24-year-old was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. In two years in the Dodgers organization, Bass has posted a 3.21 ERA in 84 innings, striking out 63 while walking just 29. He has also earned seven saves. A native of Plantation, FL, Bass began his collegiate career Orange Coast College, before transferring to Faulkner University.
“Brian will be a reliever for us,” said Mason. “He’s a guy I know can give us multiple innings in a relief appearance, and it’s important to have those kind of guys on your team.”
The Revs now have 24 players signed for the upcoming season and will continue to unveil preseason signings live each week on “Revs Hot Stove Weekly presented by Shipley Energy,” with the next episode set to air on Tuesday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. immediately following “The Baltimore Baseball Show” on SportsRadio 1350 WOYK.