Ducks Ink Three Former Big Leaguers
April 10, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Apr. 10, 2009) - The Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of three players for the 2009 season, all of whom have Major League experience. Pitcher and former Brave Ken Ray returns to the Ducks after pitching for Long Island in 2002, while former big league pitcher Miguel Asencio makes his Atlantic League debut. The Ducks also added infielder and ex-Minnesota Twin Alex Prieto, who spent all of last year with the Bridgeport Bluefish.
"We're excited about our new players as we have added two plus arms and one solid bat," says manager Gary Carter. "I'm really looking forward to Opening Day."
Asencio broke into professional baseball as an undrafted free agent signed by the Phillies in 1998. After four seasons in the Philadelphia system, the Dominican Republic native was selected by the Royals in the Rule Five draft in December, 2001. He made Kansas City's big league squad out of spring training, appearing in 31 games (21 starts) in 2002 and claiming four victories. He made eight starts for the Royals in 2003, and later appeared back in the Majors with Colorado in 2006. Last season he spilt time with Triple-A Pawtucket and Double-A Portland in the Red Sox organization combining for a 2-4 record, 5.02 ERA and one save. The 28-year-old owns a 7-8 record and a 5.12 ERA in 42 big league games. In 185 minor league contests (75 starts), Asencio has 30 wins, a 4.57 ERA and 375 strikeouts.
The 35-year-old Ray joins the Ducks for his second stint after pitching to a 6-3 record and 3.65 ERA in 13 starts last season with Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 2002, Ray appeared in four games for the Ducks striking out six in 5.2 innings pitched. The Georgia native is one of six Ducks to make it back to the Major Leagues, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.52 ERA in 69 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2006. The southpaw holds a 2-1 record with a 5.13 ERA in 82 Major League contests and a 64-63 record with a 4.43 ERA in 323 minor league appearances.
Last year with the Bridgeport Bluefish, Venezuela native Prieto batted .269 with 12 home runs, 27 doubles, five stolen bases and 74 RBI in 505 at-bats. The 32-year-old begins his 17th year in professional baseball after spending 15 years in the Royals, Twins, Phillies, Royals and Red Sox organizations. He played in parts of two seasons with the Minnesota Twins in 2003 and 2004. Prieto owns a .261 batting average with 71 home runs, 127 stolen bases, 225 doubles and 517 RBI in 1,433 career minor league games.
The Ducks 2009 10th Anniversary Season opens on Thursday, April 23, in Southern Maryland, with the home opener taking place at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at Citibank Park. Individual game tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Citibank Park Box Office. Season tickets, 10-Game Mini Plans and group outings are currently available by calling (631) 940-3825.
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