MLB Vet Dontrelle Willis Signs with Bridgeport
Published on July 8, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - July 8, 2014) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signing of pitcher Dontrelle Willis. Willis joins the Bluefish during his 11th season of professional baseball and his second in the Atlantic League.
"Dontrelle is a veteran arm that brings a wealth of experience to this team," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "He will be an important member of our starting rotation during the second half of the season."
Earlier this year, the former Major Leaguer pitched in two games for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, a minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Last season, Willis pitched for both the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League and the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees and went a combined 7-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 19 games (18 starts).
The 32-year-old has played nine seasons in The Show, pitching for the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds from 2003-2011. The southpaw won the 2003 World Series with the Marlins, was NL Rookie of the Year and an All Star that season. In 2005 he had an MLB high of 22 wins, seven complete games and five shutouts finishing second to Chris Carpenter in NL CY Young voting and is still the only player in Marlins history to win 20 games or more in a season. During the 2005 season he finished with a 22-10 record with a 2.63 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 236.1 innings pitched. In 205 Major League games (202 starts); the lefty has a 72-69 record with 15 complete games, eight shutouts, a 4.17 ERA and 896 strikeouts in 1221.2 innings.
He began his professional career in 2000 with the Rookie level AZL Cubs after he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Draft. In 119 Minor League outings (96 starts), Willis has a 44-23 record with a 2.98 ERA, six complete games, three shutouts and 462 strikeouts in 607.2 innings.
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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