Cleburne Railroaders Ink Two Players-Sermo, Karaviotis-for 2023 AA Baseball Season

The Cleburne Railroaders of the independent American Assocation (AA) has signed two players over the last two days: infielder Jose Sermo (Tuesday) and outfielder Mark Karaviotis (Monday), for the upcoming 2023 season, the team announced on Twitter.

ROSTER UPDATE: The Railroaders have made yet another blockbuster signing, agreeing to terms with IF Jose Sermo for the 2023 season. Sermo hit .298 with 29 home runs for the Sioux City Explorers in 2021.

Welcome to Texas, Jose! pic.twitter.com/Dw9i2KZ6zA

— Cleburne Railroaders (@CRRBaseball) February 21, 2023

A native of Puerto Rico, Sermo batted .252 with four homeruns and 14 RBI in 103 at-bats in 31 games with the Atlantic League’s Long Ducks last season. With the Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rician baseball this past winter, the 31-year-old clubbed five homers and drove in 15 runs in 127 at-bats in 41 contests.

ROSTER UPDATE: The Railroaders have officially signed OF Mark Karaviotis to the 2023 roster. Karaviotis posted a .327 BA with Kane County in 2021.

Welcome to Texas, Mark! pic.twitter.com/eB5BOCHZnX

— Cleburne Railroaders (@CRRBaseball) February 20, 2023

Karaviotis, a Hawaiian native, enjoyed a banner campaign with the Kane County Cougars (AA) in 2021. He swatted .327 batting average with nine longballs and 31 RBI in 205 at-bats in 59 tilts.

Karaviotis hit .284 in over 325 games in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization, who selected the 27-year-old in 19th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Oregon.

— Jerry Del Priore