Bluefish Sign Four Players to 2002 Roster

April 16, 2002 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CONN., April 16, 2002 - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced that they have re-signed OF Rolo Avila and INF Angel Espada, as well as OF/INF Michael Carter and LHP Alan Mahaffey for the upcoming 2002 season. The Bluefish will travel to Homestead, Fla. on Saturday, April 20 for Atlantic League Spring Training. Manager Duffy Dyer and his coaching staff will coordinate the nine-day camp in preparation for Opening Day on May 3 vs. the Nashua Pride.

In his first year with the Bluefish in 2001, Avila batted .269 with 4 HR and 45 RBI in 120 games, fourth-best in the Atlantic League. He set a team record for most stolen bases in a season with 41, placing him third among league leaders for the season. He also tied Bluefish records for most runs scored in a game (4, 9/17 at LI) and most walks in a game (4, 8/9 vs. AC). In 12 minor league seasons, the right-handed hitting outfielder has compiled a .286 batting average with 41 HR and 318 RBI. He has amassed 283 stolen bases and scored 610 runs. Avila has played with three different Atlantic League teams since the inaugural season in 1998, including Atlantic City (1998), Newark (1999-2000) and Bridgeport.

Espada, who has spent the last three seasons with the Bluefish, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 42nd round of the June 1994 free-agent draft. He returns for the 2002 campaign after batting a team-high .296 last year. In 274 at-bats, he hit one HR with 18 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 75 total games. The infielder led the Atlantic League in average in 1999 (.356) with 40 stolen bases and 82 runs scored. In 2000, Espada finished second in the league batting race (.337) with a team-high 137 hits. He currently ranks as the all-time Bluefish leader with a .332 average, 345 hits, 10 triples and 74 stolen bases. In eight minor league seasons, he has batted .314 with 7 HR, 136 RBI and 163 stolen bases.

Carter had the most productive season of his professional career with the Bluefish in 2000, batting .325 with 10 HR, 64 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 66 runs scored. He returns to the Bluefish for 2002, after spending all of last season with Triple-A Richmond of the International League, where he batted .294 with 2 HR, 20 RBI and 16 doubles. Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 1990 free-agent draft, he has spent time with four major league organizations. During his 12-year minor league professional career, Carter has hit 52 home runs and driven in 467 runs. He has also batted .299 with 226 doubles, 46 triples and 303 stolen bases.

Mahaffey comes to the Bluefish after spending six professional seasons with both the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins organizations. Selected by the Twins in the 16th round of the 1995 draft, he was promoted as high as Triple-A with Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League. He has compiled a 32-34 minor-league record with a 4.49 ERA and five saves in 202 total appearances (65 starts). In 541 innings, most of them in relief, Mahaffey has recorded 467 strikeouts while only walking 180 batters.

"These signings fill some very important spots on our roster for the upcoming season," said Bridgeport Bluefish General Manager Charlie Dowd. "This mix of new players and former Bluefish solidifies some key components to our infield, outfield and pitching staff."



Atlantic League Stories from April 16, 2002


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