Ducks Pick Six
Published on March 23, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Mar. 23, 2009) - Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signings of six more players for the 2009 season, including one with Major League experience. Infielder Gabe Suarez returns to the Ducks after playing for Long Island in 2007, while pitchers Ed "Bubbie" Buzachero and Mike Hrynio each make their Atlantic League debut. Pitcher Jason Norderum returns to the Atlantic League after spending 2007 with the Lancaster Barnstormers, while catcher John Pachot will play his third season in the Atlantic League after spending the past two campaigns with the Newark Bears. The Ducks also added former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Troy Cate.
Cate joins the Ducks for his first season in the Atlantic League. Last season, the lefthander split his time between four teams: Huntsville (AA) and Nashville (AAA) in the Brewers system, Sacramento (AAA, Athletics) and Orange County of the Golden League. Cate posted a 4-2 record with a 3.60 ERA in 15 appearances between Huntsville and Nashville, appeared in 12 games for Sacramento, and posted a 1.15 ERA in three games for Orange County (two starts). Prior to last season, the California native spent two years in the Cardinals organization, earning a call up to the Major Leagues on May 17, 2007. Cate appeared in 14 games for the Cardinals that season, pitching 16 innings and posting a 3.38 ERA. He has 34 career minor league victories with a 3.54 ERA in 530 innings pitched
Last year with the St. George RoadRunners of the Golden League, California native Norderum pitched 37 innings, recording one win, five saves and 14 games finished. The 27-year-old played his first seven seasons with the Expos/ Nationals organization. His best season came in 2005 when he split time between Potomac (A, Nationals) of the Carolina League and Harrisburg (AA, Nationals) of the Eastern League. The lefty appeared in a career-high 38 games that season with a 4.52 ERA in 69.2 innings pitched.
The 34-year-old Pachot joins the Ducks for his third season in the Atlantic League. He spent the past two seasons with Newark (Atlantic League), smacking 14 home runs and driving in 90, while helping the Bears to the 2007 championship. Pachot played his first eight seasons in the Montreal organization, reaching the Triple-A level. Pachot also played in the Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets organizations. In 1,250 minor league contests, the Puerto Rico native has recorded 1,108 hits, 255 doubles and 546 RBI in 4,294 at-bats.
Tennessee native Buzachero spent time last season with Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Akron in the Indians organization combining for a 3-4 record, 3.15 ERA and 11 saves. Prior to 2008, the 27-year-old had spent six seasons in the Blue Jays and Indians systems. He has 25 wins with a 3.47 ERA in 446.2 IP over 301 minor league appearances (seven starts).
Hrynio spent last season with Chattanooga (AA, Reds) of the Southern League, appearing in 39 games and posting a 3-1 record and a 5.50 ERA in 54.0 innings pitched.Prior to the 2008 season, Hrynio played in the Mariners organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Tacoma twice. In four seasons pitching in the Seattle organization, he recorded nine wins, 11 saves and posted a 4.13 ERA in 105 games.
Suarez joins the Ducks for his second stint after hitting .226 with two home runs and 27 RBI last season with the Camden Riversharks. In 2007, Suarez batted .394 with three RBI and one triple in 33 at-bats for Long Island. The 24-year old enters his sixth year of professional baseball.
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