The Lancaster Barnstormers have employed some excellent closers in their brief history.
There was Scott Patterson, who's now fighting for a spot on the New York Yankees' opening-day roster.
There was Charlie Weatherby, who pitched in Triple-A for the Phillies last year.
There was Derrick DePriest, who has taken his 1.06 ERA to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Barnstormers' newest rival in the Atlantic League.
Lancaster hopes its next standout closer is former big leaguer Sendy Rleal, who signed with the team Tuesday.
Rleal, 27, spent all seven seasons of his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles. He reached his high point in 2006, when he made the big-league club out of spring training.
The Barnstormers see what many scouts once saw in Rleal. He has a live arm that has produced good minor-league results.
"He's a young pitcher with great potential," said Keith Lupton, the team's head of baseball operations.
"That's why we're looking to him to be our closer."
Rleal, who sports a low-90s fastball and deceptive changeup, spent about four months in the majors. He posted a 4.44 ERA in 42 games for the Orioles before being demoted. The Dominican native was with Double-A Bowie for most of last season.
During his minor-leaguer career, Rleal has a 3.56 ERA and has allowed fewer than one hit per inning. He has 32 saves, including 16 with Bowie in 2005.
Rleal is the 16th player signed by the team, which begins spring training in Lakeland, Fla., on April 15. He's the first with big league experience.
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