Fehlandt Lentini
Encyclopedia
Fehlandt A. Lentini is an American
professional baseball
player who currently plays for Amarillo Sox
of the American Association. Lentini, an outfielder
, has played with many different minor
and independent league teams over his career, which began in 2001 with the Martinsville Astros
of the rookie-level Appalachian League
. He attended Sonoma State University
and from there, was signed by the Houston Astros
as an amateur free agent
. In the Astros organization, he played with six different teams from 2001 to 2003. During the 2004 season, Lentini began his tenure in the independent league circuit, signing with the Kalamazoo Kings
of the Frontier League
. That season, was named a league all-star.
From 2006 to 2008, Lentini was selected to play in the Northern League All-Star Game as a member of the Winnipeg Goldeyes
. After joining the Golden Baseball League
in 2009, he was chosen to play in the season's all-star game. Also in 2009 Lentini, as a member of the Calgary Vipers, was named the Golden Baseball League's Player of the Week for June 1 to 7. The Vipers won the league championship that season. In October 2010, his alma mater
, Sonoma State University, will induct him into the Sonoma State Athletic Hall of Fame.
, Lentini was selected in the 41 round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Texas Rangers
, but did not sign. He was one of ten students of Napa Valley College to be selected in the history of the Major League Baseball Draft. Lentini then transferred to Sonoma State University
. During his first season at Sonoma State in 1998, Lentini batted
.309 with 15 stolen base
s. He did not attend the school in 1999 and 2000, returning for the 2001 season, compiling a .427 batting average with 117 hits
, 23 doubles
, 10 triples
and 89 runs
. All of those numbers stand as a single-season Sonoma State records. The Napa Valley Register
described his 2001 campaign with Sonoma State as "perhaps the greatest single season in school history". Lentini was awarded first-team All-American honors in 2001, as well as being named West Region and California Collegiate Athletic Association
Player of the Year. In 2010, it was announced that Lentini will be inducted into the Sonoma State Athletic Hall of Fame on October 2. The ceremony will take place in Rohnert Park and the school will also be honoring Ed Beaulac, Patricia Carrillo and Tim Walsh.
, Lentini was signed by the Houston Astros
as an amateur free agent
. In 2001, he played at three different levels of the Astros minor league
organization. First with the rookie-level Martinsville Astros
of the Appalachian League
, he batted
.283 with eight runs scored
, 13 hits
, one double
, one triple
, one home run
, four runs batted in (RBIs) and 11 stolen base
s in 12 games played
. Lentini was then promoted to the Pittsfield Astros, who were member of the Class-A Short Season New York – Penn League. With Pittsfield, he batted .346 with 13 runs scored, 18 hits, three doubles, one triple, eight RBIs and eight stolen bases in 15 games played. His final team in 2001 was the Class-A Lexington Legends
of the South Atlantic League
. In 29 games with the Legends, Lentini batted .295 with 27 runs scored, 36 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, one home run, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Combined between the three clubs that season, Lentini batted .305 with 48 runs scored, 67 hits, 15 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 33 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 56 games played. On defense, played all of his 54 games in the outfield
, committing no errors
, seven assists
and 78 putout
s.
Lentini spent the entire 2002 season with the Michigan Battle Cats
of the Class-A Midwest League
. On the season, he batted .289 with 41 runs scored, 71 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, one home run, 35 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and 29 walks
in 71 games played. In the field, Lentini played all of his 64 games as an outfielder, committing four errors, eight assists and 93 putouts in 105. In 2003, he played with two different teams in the Astros organization. First, with the Class-A Advanced Salem Avalanche
of the Carolina League
, he batted .279 with 45 runs scored, 103 hits, 21 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 48 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 100 games played. Lentini's second team that season were the Round Rock Express
of the Double-A Texas League
. With Round Rock, he batted .217 with four runs scored, five hits, one double, one triple and one RBI in 17 games played. Combined between the two teams, he batted .276 with 108 hits, 22 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 49 RBIs in 117 games played. On defense between the two clubs, Lentini played 78 games in the outfield, committing two errors, eight assists and 151 putouts. The 2003 season would be his last in affiliated minor league baseball.
, who were members of the Frontier League
. Lentini was selected to play on the 2004 Frontier League All-Star team. On the season, he batted .310 with 57 runs scored, 106 hits, 16 doubles, nine triples, seven home runs, 60 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 90 games played. In the field, he played all of his 85 defensive games as an outfielder, committing three errors, 11 assists and 167 putouts. Amongst league batters that season, Lentini led in triples, was sixth in stolen bases and was tied for tenth in hits. He led the Kings in hits, triples, RBIs, stolen bases, total bases (161) and sacrifice flies (9). During the next season, he signed with the Sioux Falls team, but was released before the start of the season.
of the independent Northern League. With Calgary, he batted .342 with 59 runs scored, 96 hits, 20 doubles, six triples, six home runs 42 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 67 games played. In August 2005, the Vipers traded Lentini to the Gary Southshore Railcats
, also of the Northern League, in exchange for Quintin Oldenburg and Jason Colson. Slam! Sports described the trade as "perhaps the biggest trade of the 2005 Northern League season". On August 30, 2005, Lentini won the Northern League Player of the Week Award for the week of August 22 to August 28. During that week, Lentini batted .469 with three home runs and eight RBIs. With the Southshore Railcats that season, he batted .333 with 20 runs scored, 34 hits, seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 15 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 23 games played. Combined between the two teams that season, Lentini batted .339 with 79 runs scored, 130 hits, 27 doubles, eight triples, 10 home runs, 57 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 90 games played. On defense, he played all of his 89 combined games in the outfield, committing four errors, 10 assists and 227 putouts. As a member of the Railcats, Lentini was a second half co-league champion. Amongst league batters, Lentini was third in triples; fourth in stolen bases, runs scored and hits; tied for fourth in caught stealing
(9); sixth in batting average; tied for sixth in total bases (203); and seventh in at-bats (383). Before the 2006 season, the Railcats re-signed Lentini.
, also of the Northern League. Winnipeg manager
Rick Forney was convinced to trade for Lentini by the team's bench coach Steve Maddock. He was selected for the 2006 Northern League All-Star Game. On the season, he batted .325 with 93 runs scored, 136 hits, 32 doubles, 13 triples, six home runs, 49 RBIs and 57 stolen bases in 96 games played. Lentini played all of his 96 games as an outfielder, committing six errors, five assists and 269 putouts. He led the league at-bats (418), triples and stolen bases; was second in plate appearances (452) runs scored, hits, doubles and total bases (212); and eighth in batting average. His 13 triples was a Northern League single-season record, breaking the previous record of 12 set by Justin Foust in 2005. He also holds the league record for the second most amount stolen bases in a single-season. After the season, Lentini was named to Baseball America's
All-Independent League Second Team. In 2007, for the second straight season, Lentini was named to the Northern League All-Star Game. In May, he sprained his ankle
while playing a pick-up basketball
game with a teammate while the game they were playing was under a rain delay. During the season, he batted .321 with 86 runs scored, 130 hits, 36 doubles, seven triples, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 92 games played. He led the league in at-bats (405) and stolen bases, was second in runs scored and triples, fourth in total bases (210), and sixth in hits.
Lentini started the 2008 season with the Potros de Tijuana
of the Triple-A Mexican League. After just 10 games, he batted .268 with four runs scored, 11 hits, four doubles and five RBIs. Tijuana then released him. Scheduled to return to Winnipeg for the start of the Northern League season, Lentini was forced to stay in Mexico
until Potros de Tijuana paid him his salary. He later returned to the Winnipeg Goldeyes in time for the start of the 2008 Northern League campaign. For the third straight season, Lentini was selected to play in the Northern League All-Star Game. With the Goldeyes that season, Lentini batted .298 with 71 runs scored, 125 hits, 27 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs, 39 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in 96 games played. Between the two clubs he played for in 2007, Lentini batted .295 with 75 runs scored, 136 hits, 31 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs, 44 RBIs and 38 stolen bases 106 games played. In the field between the two teams, he played all 106 games as an outfielder, committing 11 errors, four assists and 224 putouts. Lentini led the league that season in at-bats (451), triples and stolen basesp; was second in plate appearances (451) and hits; third in runs scored; and tied for seventh in doubles.
of the Triple-A Mexican League. In 22 games Nuevo Laredo, he batted .266 with 14 runs scored, 25 hits, six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 11 RBIs and four stolen bases. On May 17, 2009, the Lentini signed with the Calgary Vipers
, who he had played with in 2005. This time, the Vipers were members of the Golden Baseball League
. On June 11, it was announced that Lentini was the Golden Baseball League's Player of the Week for the week of June 1 to June 7 after batting .545 in five games. He was selected to the Golden Baseball League's All-Star Game that season. As a member of the North team, Lentini beat Jim Rushford
of the South in the league's home run derby
. Lentini was the leadoff hitter
in the all-star game. During his first at-bat of that game, he hit a home run off of South pitcher José Lima
. On the season with the Vipers, Lentini batted .366 with 98 runs scored, 122 hits, 33 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 57 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 74 games played. The Vipers won the Golden Baseball League championship that season.
and no runs in one inning pitched
. During the Golden Baseball League playoffs, he batted .303 with 10 runs scored, 10 hits, four doubles, one triple and two RBIs in eight games played.
of the American Association for the 2011 season.
. He has stated that he enjoys hiking
and mountain biking
. Lentini has his own rap album.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player who currently plays for Amarillo Sox
Amarillo Sox
The Amarillo Sox are a professional baseball team based out of Amarillo, Texas, and is set to play in the independent American Association in 2011. They will play their home games at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium in Amarillo, replacing the Amarillo Dillas of United League Baseball after that...
of the American Association. Lentini, an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, has played with many different minor
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and independent league teams over his career, which began in 2001 with the Martinsville Astros
Martinsville Astros
The Martinsville Astros were a minor league baseball team located in Martinsville, Virginia. The team was affiliated with the Houston Astros and played in the Appalachian League. Their home stadium was Hooker Field....
of the rookie-level Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. He attended Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
and from there, was signed by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. In the Astros organization, he played with six different teams from 2001 to 2003. During the 2004 season, Lentini began his tenure in the independent league circuit, signing with the Kalamazoo Kings
Kalamazoo Kings
The Kalamazoo Kings are a professional baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the United States. The Kings are a member of the Eastern Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
. That season, was named a league all-star.
From 2006 to 2008, Lentini was selected to play in the Northern League All-Star Game as a member of the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
. After joining the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
in 2009, he was chosen to play in the season's all-star game. Also in 2009 Lentini, as a member of the Calgary Vipers, was named the Golden Baseball League's Player of the Week for June 1 to 7. The Vipers won the league championship that season. In October 2010, his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Sonoma State University, will induct him into the Sonoma State Athletic Hall of Fame.
Amateur career
While attending Napa Valley CollegeNapa Valley College
Napa Valley College, formerly known as Napa Community College, is one of California's community colleges, located in Napa Valley. The main campus is in Napa, California, with an Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena and a Small Business Development Center in downtown Napa. In 2004-2005, the total...
, Lentini was selected in the 41 round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, but did not sign. He was one of ten students of Napa Valley College to be selected in the history of the Major League Baseball Draft. Lentini then transferred to Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
. During his first season at Sonoma State in 1998, Lentini batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.309 with 15 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. He did not attend the school in 1999 and 2000, returning for the 2001 season, compiling a .427 batting average with 117 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 23 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 10 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 89 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. All of those numbers stand as a single-season Sonoma State records. The Napa Valley Register
Napa Valley Register
The Napa Valley Register is a daily newspaper located in Napa, California. The paper began publication on August 10, 1853. The current editor is Michael Donnelly....
described his 2001 campaign with Sonoma State as "perhaps the greatest single season in school history". Lentini was awarded first-team All-American honors in 2001, as well as being named West Region and California Collegiate Athletic Association
California Collegiate Athletic Association
The California Collegiate Athletic Association or CCAA is an intercollegiate athletic conference in the Division II of the NCAA. All of its current members are public universities, and all except for UC San Diego are members of the California State University system.It was founded in December 1938...
Player of the Year. In 2010, it was announced that Lentini will be inducted into the Sonoma State Athletic Hall of Fame on October 2. The ceremony will take place in Rohnert Park and the school will also be honoring Ed Beaulac, Patricia Carrillo and Tim Walsh.
Houston Astros organization (2001–2003)
After completing his 2001 season with Sonoma State UniversitySonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
, Lentini was signed by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. In 2001, he played at three different levels of the Astros minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
organization. First with the rookie-level Martinsville Astros
Martinsville Astros
The Martinsville Astros were a minor league baseball team located in Martinsville, Virginia. The team was affiliated with the Houston Astros and played in the Appalachian League. Their home stadium was Hooker Field....
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.283 with eight runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 13 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, one double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, four runs batted in (RBIs) and 11 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 12 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Lentini was then promoted to the Pittsfield Astros, who were member of the Class-A Short Season New York – Penn League. With Pittsfield, he batted .346 with 13 runs scored, 18 hits, three doubles, one triple, eight RBIs and eight stolen bases in 15 games played. His final team in 2001 was the Class-A Lexington Legends
Lexington Legends
The Lexington Legends are a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League , and the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Lexington, Kentucky, and play their home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, located in an industrial area on the northeast side of the city just...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. In 29 games with the Legends, Lentini batted .295 with 27 runs scored, 36 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, one home run, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Combined between the three clubs that season, Lentini batted .305 with 48 runs scored, 67 hits, 15 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 33 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 56 games played. On defense, played all of his 54 games in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
, committing no errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, seven assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and 78 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s.
Lentini spent the entire 2002 season with the Michigan Battle Cats
Michigan Battle Cats
The Michigan Battle Cats was a minor league baseball team which began playing in the Midwest League in 1995 and called C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan home. The franchise had previously been located in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994 where they were called the Madison Hatters. Prior to that...
of the Class-A Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
. On the season, he batted .289 with 41 runs scored, 71 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, one home run, 35 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and 29 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
in 71 games played. In the field, Lentini played all of his 64 games as an outfielder, committing four errors, eight assists and 93 putouts in 105. In 2003, he played with two different teams in the Astros organization. First, with the Class-A Advanced Salem Avalanche
Salem Avalanche
The Salem Red Sox are a minor league baseball team in Salem, Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox...
of the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, he batted .279 with 45 runs scored, 103 hits, 21 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 48 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 100 games played. Lentini's second team that season were the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
of the Double-A Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. With Round Rock, he batted .217 with four runs scored, five hits, one double, one triple and one RBI in 17 games played. Combined between the two teams, he batted .276 with 108 hits, 22 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 49 RBIs in 117 games played. On defense between the two clubs, Lentini played 78 games in the outfield, committing two errors, eight assists and 151 putouts. The 2003 season would be his last in affiliated minor league baseball.
Kalamazoo Kings (2004)
In 2004, at the age of 26, Lentini began his career in independent league baseball after he signed with the Kalamazoo KingsKalamazoo Kings
The Kalamazoo Kings are a professional baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the United States. The Kings are a member of the Eastern Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, who were members of the Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
. Lentini was selected to play on the 2004 Frontier League All-Star team. On the season, he batted .310 with 57 runs scored, 106 hits, 16 doubles, nine triples, seven home runs, 60 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 90 games played. In the field, he played all of his 85 defensive games as an outfielder, committing three errors, 11 assists and 167 putouts. Amongst league batters that season, Lentini led in triples, was sixth in stolen bases and was tied for tenth in hits. He led the Kings in hits, triples, RBIs, stolen bases, total bases (161) and sacrifice flies (9). During the next season, he signed with the Sioux Falls team, but was released before the start of the season.
Calgary Vipers and Gary Southshore Railcats (2005)
Before the 2005 season, Lentini signed with the Calgary VipersCalgary Vipers
The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
of the independent Northern League. With Calgary, he batted .342 with 59 runs scored, 96 hits, 20 doubles, six triples, six home runs 42 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 67 games played. In August 2005, the Vipers traded Lentini to the Gary Southshore Railcats
Gary SouthShore RailCats
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at...
, also of the Northern League, in exchange for Quintin Oldenburg and Jason Colson. Slam! Sports described the trade as "perhaps the biggest trade of the 2005 Northern League season". On August 30, 2005, Lentini won the Northern League Player of the Week Award for the week of August 22 to August 28. During that week, Lentini batted .469 with three home runs and eight RBIs. With the Southshore Railcats that season, he batted .333 with 20 runs scored, 34 hits, seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 15 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 23 games played. Combined between the two teams that season, Lentini batted .339 with 79 runs scored, 130 hits, 27 doubles, eight triples, 10 home runs, 57 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 90 games played. On defense, he played all of his 89 combined games in the outfield, committing four errors, 10 assists and 227 putouts. As a member of the Railcats, Lentini was a second half co-league champion. Amongst league batters, Lentini was third in triples; fourth in stolen bases, runs scored and hits; tied for fourth in caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
(9); sixth in batting average; tied for sixth in total bases (203); and seventh in at-bats (383). Before the 2006 season, the Railcats re-signed Lentini.
Winnipeg Goldeyes (2006–2008)
Before the 2006 season, the Gary Southshore Railcats traded Lentini to the Winnipeg GoldeyesWinnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
, also of the Northern League. Winnipeg manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Rick Forney was convinced to trade for Lentini by the team's bench coach Steve Maddock. He was selected for the 2006 Northern League All-Star Game. On the season, he batted .325 with 93 runs scored, 136 hits, 32 doubles, 13 triples, six home runs, 49 RBIs and 57 stolen bases in 96 games played. Lentini played all of his 96 games as an outfielder, committing six errors, five assists and 269 putouts. He led the league at-bats (418), triples and stolen bases; was second in plate appearances (452) runs scored, hits, doubles and total bases (212); and eighth in batting average. His 13 triples was a Northern League single-season record, breaking the previous record of 12 set by Justin Foust in 2005. He also holds the league record for the second most amount stolen bases in a single-season. After the season, Lentini was named to Baseball America's
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
All-Independent League Second Team. In 2007, for the second straight season, Lentini was named to the Northern League All-Star Game. In May, he sprained his ankle
Sprained ankle
A sprained ankle, also known as an ankle sprain, twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn.-Cause:...
while playing a pick-up basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
game with a teammate while the game they were playing was under a rain delay. During the season, he batted .321 with 86 runs scored, 130 hits, 36 doubles, seven triples, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 92 games played. He led the league in at-bats (405) and stolen bases, was second in runs scored and triples, fourth in total bases (210), and sixth in hits.
Lentini started the 2008 season with the Potros de Tijuana
Potros de Tijuana
Los Potros de Tijuana were a AAA-level baseball team based in Tijuana, Baja California that played in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol...
of the Triple-A Mexican League. After just 10 games, he batted .268 with four runs scored, 11 hits, four doubles and five RBIs. Tijuana then released him. Scheduled to return to Winnipeg for the start of the Northern League season, Lentini was forced to stay in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
until Potros de Tijuana paid him his salary. He later returned to the Winnipeg Goldeyes in time for the start of the 2008 Northern League campaign. For the third straight season, Lentini was selected to play in the Northern League All-Star Game. With the Goldeyes that season, Lentini batted .298 with 71 runs scored, 125 hits, 27 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs, 39 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in 96 games played. Between the two clubs he played for in 2007, Lentini batted .295 with 75 runs scored, 136 hits, 31 doubles, eight triples, nine home runs, 44 RBIs and 38 stolen bases 106 games played. In the field between the two teams, he played all 106 games as an outfielder, committing 11 errors, four assists and 224 putouts. Lentini led the league that season in at-bats (451), triples and stolen basesp; was second in plate appearances (451) and hits; third in runs scored; and tied for seventh in doubles.
Calgary Vipers, second tenure (2009)
Lentini began the 2009 season with the Tecolotes de Nuevo LaredoTecolotes de Nuevo Laredo
The Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo formerly known as the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos were a Mexican Baseball League team that played in the Zona Norte of the Mexican League. The Ciudad Deportiva's Estadio Nuevo Laredo is their home baseball park which has a capacity of 12,000 fans...
of the Triple-A Mexican League. In 22 games Nuevo Laredo, he batted .266 with 14 runs scored, 25 hits, six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 11 RBIs and four stolen bases. On May 17, 2009, the Lentini signed with the Calgary Vipers
Calgary Vipers
The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
, who he had played with in 2005. This time, the Vipers were members of the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
. On June 11, it was announced that Lentini was the Golden Baseball League's Player of the Week for the week of June 1 to June 7 after batting .545 in five games. He was selected to the Golden Baseball League's All-Star Game that season. As a member of the North team, Lentini beat Jim Rushford
Jim Rushford
James Thomas "Jim" Rushford is a former Major League Baseball player. Rushford played for the Milwaukee Brewers in . He batted and threw left-handed.He was signed by the Brewers as an amateur free agent in 2000....
of the South in the league's home run derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
. Lentini was the leadoff hitter
Leadoff hitter
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in an inning.- Strategy :...
in the all-star game. During his first at-bat of that game, he hit a home run off of South pitcher José Lima
José Lima
José Desiderio Rodriguez Lima was a Dominican right-handed pitcher who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Kansas City Royals , Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets...
. On the season with the Vipers, Lentini batted .366 with 98 runs scored, 122 hits, 33 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 57 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 74 games played. The Vipers won the Golden Baseball League championship that season.
Na Koa Ikaika Maui (2010)
On February 24, 2010, Lentini signed with the Na Koa Ikaika Maui, who like his last team were members of the Golden Baseball League. On his 33 birthday, Lentini hit his tenth home run of the season. On the season, he batted .299 with 70 runs scored, 86 hits, 24 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 30 RBIs and 28 walks in 74 games played. Lentini also pitched a game, giving-up two hitsHit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and no runs in one inning pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. During the Golden Baseball League playoffs, he batted .303 with 10 runs scored, 10 hits, four doubles, one triple and two RBIs in eight games played.
Amarillo Sox (2011-present)
Lentini signed with the Amarillo SoxAmarillo Sox
The Amarillo Sox are a professional baseball team based out of Amarillo, Texas, and is set to play in the independent American Association in 2011. They will play their home games at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium in Amarillo, replacing the Amarillo Dillas of United League Baseball after that...
of the American Association for the 2011 season.
Personal
Lentini was born on August 12, 1977 in Santa Rosa, CaliforniaSanta Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
. He has stated that he enjoys hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
. Lentini has his own rap album.