'Fish Add Three to Roster
Published on June 1, 2015 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - June 1, 2015) - The Bridgeport Bluefish announced today that they have acquired outfielder Jake Luce from Florence of the Frontier League for future considerations. The 'Fish have also acquired left-handed pitcher Eric Niesen from Long Island of the Atlantic League to complete a trade from May 1. Right-handed pitcher Reinaldo Lopez has been signed as a free agent.
"These guys will definitely add strength to our lineup and our pitching staff this season," says Bluefish Manager Ricky VanAsselberg. "Jake's only been playing pro ball for a few years, but he's put up some impressive numbers at the plate. Eric is a lefty which will add depth to our bullpen, and Reinaldo has good experience as a starting pitcher."
Luce joins the Bluefish for his first season in the Atlantic League and fourth of professional baseball. The outfielder began the 2015 season with the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League, where he appeared in 13 games and collected a .250 batting average. Last year, the outfielder split time with Brownsville of the United League and Wichita of the American Association. He collected a .313 batting average with seven home runs, 42 RBI and 49 runs scored. The 25-year-old made his professional debut in 2012 with Amarillo of the American Association. In 125 career minor-league games, Jake owns a .275 batting average with 35 extra-base hits, 56 RBI, and 62 runs scored.
Niesen comes to Bridgeport during his fourth season in the Atlantic League and ninth of professional baseball. He began the 2015 season with the Long Island Ducks, where he made eight appearances on the mound. Last year, the left-hander appeared in 59 games for Long Island, collecting a 4-3 record with a 3.06 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 53.0 innings of work. The 29-year-old made his professional debut in 2007 after he was drafted in the third round of the MLB amateur draft by the New York Mets. He spent five years within the Mets organization before joining the independent ranks with Long Island in 2012. During the 2013 season, Eric's contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox, where he reached as high as the Triple-A level. In 320 career minor league games, Niesen owns a 4.32 ERA with 569 strikeouts in 637.2 innings of work.
Lopez comes to the Park City for his first season in the independent ranks and eighth of professional ball. He began the 2015 season with Double-A Montgomery of the Southern League (Tampa Bay), where he made five mound appearances. Last year, the right-hander appeared in 26 games for Charlotte of the Florida State League, collecting a 7-5 record with a 3.49 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 142.0 innings of work. The 24-year-old made his professional debut in 2008 after he was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent. He has spent his entire career within the Rays organization, reaching as high as the Double-A level. In 118 career minor league games, Reinaldo owns a 27-20 record with a 3.45 ERA and 302 strikeouts in 493.1 innings of work.
In corresponding roster moves, the Bluefish have released pitchers Jesus Colome and Shairon Martis, and infielder Albert Gonzalez.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.
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