Foriest, Thomas and Harrison sign with Evansville

The Evansville Otters signed left-handed pitcher Nathan Foriest, shortstop Toby Thomas and outfielder and third baseman Travis Harrison.

Foriest, a Kingston Springs, Tenn. native, arrives in Evansville after playing affiliated baseball in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-16.

“He has been throwing in some affiliated team tryouts and we’ve heard good things about him,” Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “Nathan will be competing for a starting job but he could also be an effective left-handed option out of the bullpen.”

Splitting time between Fort Wayne and Tri-City in 2016, Foriest went 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA in 25 games and 34 1/3 innings. He also struck out 45 batters.

In two seasons playing affiliated baseball, Foriest was 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA.

Foriest played for Middle Tennessee State University before being drafted in the 35th round of the MLB Amateur Draft by the Padres in 2015.

Thomas, a Mobile, Ala. native, played in the Chicago White Sox organization from 2013-17 after being drafted in the 21st round out of Pensacola Junior College.

He saw time in Bristol, Kannapolis, Great Falls, Winston-Salem and Birmingham during his five seasons. In his professional career, Thomas has appeared in 413 games and he batted .263 with 21 home runs and 165 RBIs.

“Toby is coming off two really good seasons with the White Sox,” McCauley said. “I believe if he is given the chance to play everyday again he can get another shot at organizational ball.

“Toby will be starting in our middle infield and I expect him to be hitting at the top of the order.”

Harrison, a Tustin, Calif. native, was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Minnesota Twins organization out of Tustin High School.

In six seasons with the Twins, Harrison batted .245 with 38 home runs and 277 RBIs. He appeared in 636 games, splitting time between Elizabethton, Cedar Rapids, Fort Myers and Chattanooga from 2012-17.

“I’m really excited to see Travis in Evansville because he came highly recommended by a scout I trust,” McCauley said. “Travis has worked with Rob Watson previously in his career and that relationship was crucial to his signing.”

Evansville will celebrate Bosse Field’s Opening Night May 11 against the Washington Wild Things at 6:35 p.m.