The Lancaster Stormers, an independent minor‑league franchise based in Pennsylvania, have been making waves early in the season as they lean on a pair of veteran hitters to reshape their lineup.
Marc Flores, a 34‑year‑old slugger, captured the league’s attention by earning Batter of the Week honors after a .500 performance that included four home runs and 12 runs batted in.
Flores, drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2014 out of Hawaii, has carved out a global career that has taken him to Mexico, Venezuela and now the Atlantic League, where he has already amassed 16 homers this year and his 150th professional homer for the Stormers.
His counterpart, Nathan Martorella, is also making a comeback after being released by the Miami Marlins’ Triple‑A affiliate earlier this summer, a move that opened the door for his return to Lancaster.
In his first week back, Martorella was named Player of the Week in the Atlantic League, batting .444 with five doubles, three homers and 14 RBIs across six games, a surge that has sparked optimism among the Stormers’ coaching staff.
Martorella’s journey includes a fifth‑round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2022 after a standout college career at Cal, and a previous honor as the Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2019 from Salinas.
A Dual Threat in the Lineup
Together, the two hitters provide a blend of power and contact that forces opposing pitchers to adjust constantly, a dynamic that could prove decisive as the Stormers push for a playoff berth.
Fans have responded enthusiastically, turning out in larger numbers at Clipper Magazine Stadium and filling social media with praise for the resurgence of the franchise.
With the Atlantic League season entering its second half, the Stormers’ front office is already exploring ways to lock in the duo for the next campaign, signaling a potential shift in the team’s long‑term strategy.