Bluefish Add Two Big Bats To Lineup
Published on April 23, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
Bridgeport, CT - April 23 - The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced today the signing of two more players for the 2008 season. 2007 Atlantic League Co-MVP Jesse Hoorelbeke and former Major Leaguer Calvin Pickering join the roster.
Hoorelbeke, 30, was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. During that season he hit .309 with eight homeruns and 34 RBIs. After seeing time at both the Single-A and Double-A levels, the first baseman found a home in Fargo-Morehead of the Northeast League in 2006. There he hit a career high .332 in 74 games with 21 homeruns and 65 runs. His efforts got him picked up by the Chicago Cubs organization where he finished the rest of the 2006 campaign in Iowa (AAA) with five more homeruns in only 14 games.
Jesse joined the Bluefish in 2007 and had a career year. He played 117 games, hitting .313 and setting career highs in home runs (33), RBIs (96) and runs scored (86). Hoorelbeke received a number of awards throughout the season as he won Player-Of-The-Month in June, was named to the North Division All-Star Team, became a League-wide All-Star at the end of the season and tied for League MVP with Victor Rodriguez of Newark. He also broke the Bluefish single-season records for homeruns and RBIs.
Pickering, 31, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 35th round of the 1995 draft. The first baseman quickly made his way through Single-A and AA (16 homeruns and 86 RBIs in 1996, 25 homeruns and 79 RBIs in 1997, 31 homeruns and 114 RBIs in 1998) before moving up to the Majors. His experience includes Major League time with the Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals. In 2004 Pickering had 42 homeruns and batted .295 between AAA Omaha and the Kansas City Royals. Last season Pickering played with the North Shore Spirit in the Can-Am League and finished with a .310 batting average, 18 homeruns and 83 RBIs in only 89 games.
Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2008
- Bluefish Add Two Big Bats To Lineup - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Bears Close Out Pre-Season Sched With 11-11 Tie - Newark Bears
- Newark Bears Sign Former Rutgers Star Val Majewski - Newark Bears
- Martin Signs With Long Island - Long Island Ducks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
