Bridgeport, Atlantic League Act as Hub Back to Majors
Published on August 2, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - August 2, 2011) - At the beginning of the 2011 season, 12 former big-leaguers filled spots on the Bridgeport Bluefish Opening Day roster. These players know that joining an Atlantic League team, such as the Bluefish, is their best option of getting back to The Show. The 'Fish have sent five players back to the affiliated ranks this year and have now sold the contracts of over 50 players to these affiliated organizations throughout Bridgeport's 14-year history.
This season's class includes infielder Angel Berroa and pitchers Logan Kensing, Juan Padilla, Brad Furnish and Luis Gonzalez. Berroa, Kensing and Padilla all hope to make it back to the Majors after previously reaching that plateau, while Furnish and Gonzalez wish to fulfill their lifelong dream of donning a Major League uniform for the first time.
As the season progressed, more former Major League Baseball players entered the home clubhouse at The Ballpark at Harbor yard. Each had their own story.
Every player took a different path to the Atlantic League, but each shared the same goal. Some had brief stints in Major League Baseball. Others, like shortstop Angel Berroa, had experienced years of success at the game's highest level.
Batting ninth in a lineup built around slugging threat Wes Bankston and prolific hitter Luis Lopez, Bluefish shortstop Angel Berroa was bound to slip under the radar. However, his consistent defense at short and solid .263 average, six home runs, 15 doubles, 33 RBI, and 33 runs, in Bridgeport this season did not go unnoticed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
When D-Backs shortstop and former Atlantic Leaguer Stephen Drew went down with a possibly season-ending broken ankle and Cody Ransom was called up to replace him, Arizona turned to Berroa. The Diamondbacks purchased the Bridgeport infielder's contract on July 26, and assigned him to Triple-A Reno of the Pacific Coast League.
"They knew that Berroa was playing probably the best baseball in the independent leagues at shortstop, so they came and got him," said Bluefish general manager Bob Goughan.
Also on his side, was a lot of success in the Major League ranks, where he became a household name in Kansas City.
After two short but impressive stretches with the Royals in 2001 and 2002, Berroa made the 2003 Kansas City roster out of spring training. He dazzled in his rookie campaign, batting .287 with 92 runs, 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 73 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. The accolades of the then-25-year old earned him the title of American League Rookie of the Year.
Berroa played four more seasons in Kansas City before spending 2008 with the Dodgers and 2009 split cross-town between the Yankees and Mets. After a season with Fresno of the Pacific Coast League (Triple- A, Giants), Berroa found himself starting the 2011 campaign in the Atlantic League with Bridgeport.
Now he finds himself in a position to get back to the "Big's."
Eight years ago, as Baseball America's 2002 15th best prospect in the game, Berroa had to prove that he belonged on baseball's highest stage. Now, even with an "American League Rookie of the Year" award on his resume along with a big league career .258 average, 185 extra-base hits, 329 runs, and 50 stolen bases, he is out to prove it once again.
Just one step away from reaching his goal, Berroa looks to become the fourth former 'Fish to get back to the Majors, and the second to do so this year with the Diamondbacks. Former Bluefish Wily Mo Pena experienced success similar to Berroa in The Park City last year, and it helped him earn an opportunity to return to the MLB with Arizona this season.
Pena was tearing up the Pacific Coast League with Triple-A Reno, batting .363 with 17 doubles, 21 home runs, 63 RBI, and a .726 slugging percentage, when he was called up to the Diamondbacks in late June. At the time of his call-up, Pena was leading all Triple-A players in both the Pacific Coast League and International League in All-Star game votes.
With the Diamondbacks, the power hitter continued to showcase the same slugging ability fans saw at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in 2010. Pena lifted five of his nine hits in 17 games with Arizona, for home runs. His power numbers were so impressive that there was a widespread fan social media effort (#WilyMo4Derby) to try to get Pena chosen as an MLB Home Run Derby participant.
A veteran of a combined seven MLB seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Nationals from 2002-2008, Pena made it back to "The Show" soon after his stint with the Bluefish.
Angel Berroa is walking in similar shoes, as he, Kensing, and Padilla, look to follow in fellow former 'Fish Pena's footsteps and get back to the Majors.
Logan Kensing joined the 'Fish in mid-June to bolster the bullpen. The righthander had experienced success with the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals from 2004 to 2009, but was coming off two elbow surgeries to remove bone chips in shoulder which caused him to miss the entire 2010 season. Kensing needed an outlet to prove he was healthy, and found it with the Bluefish.
The 28-year-old had an outstanding 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings of relief when he caught the eye of the New York Yankees. The Bombers purchased his contract at the end of the month, and assigned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the International League.
"I can tell you that in my opinion Logan Kensing can get big league hitters out right now,'' said Bluefish general manager Bob Goughan.
With the numbers Kensing has put up in Scranton (2.20 ERA with four saves, and 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched), he has certainly made his case to be on the short list for a call up to the Bronx.
Another pitcher on the path back to the majors is Juan Padilla. The righty spent a month with the Bluefish from mid-May to mid-June, before his contract was purchased by Yucatan of the Mexican League.
Prior to his time in Bridgeport, the 34-year-old spent most of the last two seasons pitching in lower independent ranks. His month in The Park City was able to give Padilla the boost to get back to an affiliated level of baseball in the Mexican League.
It has been a long road with many stops in affiliated and independent ranks since he last pitched in "The Show" in his third Major League season in 2005 for the New York Mets. However, Padilla, like a handful of other former Atlantic Leaguers south of the border, hopes that his Mexican League success will lead to another opportunity in Major League Baseball.
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. 2011 group outings and individual tickets are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
Atlantic League Stories from August 2, 2011
- Bridgeport, Atlantic League Act as Hub Back to Majors - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Unused Ticket Days Announced - Long Island Ducks
- Eight-Run Second Paces 'Stormers Win - Lancaster Stormers
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.
