AtL Somerset Patriots

Patriots sign two former Major League pitchers

Published on April 10, 2006 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Somerset Patriots News Release


Bridgewater, NJ - The 2005 Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have announced the signings of former Major League pitchers Hector Almonte and Andy Van Hekken.

Almonte has 50 games of Major League experience with the Florida Marlins, the Boston Red Sox, and the Montreal Expos.

Almonte also played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan for two seasons and has five seasons of Triple-A experience in the Marlins, Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves organizations.

Almonte finished the 2005 season in Saltillo of the Mexican League, where he had a 2-0 record and a 1.54 ERA in ten games pitched.

Van Hekken has Major League experience with the Detroit Tigers, where he had a 3.00 ERA in five games played.

Van Hekken has five seasons of Triple-A experience in the Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds organizations.

Van Hekken has a minor league career record of 71-44 with a 3.88 ERA and 669 strikeouts in 194 games pitched.

"Having guys with time in the Majors makes a huge difference. We had a lot of veterans last season with Major League experience and it led to us having the best staff in the league. We feel that Hector and Andy will help us stay on that track this year," said Sparky Lyle, Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

The 2006 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will begin at Commerce Bank Ballpark on Friday, April 28th with a 7:05 pm game against the Atlantic City Surf. For Tickets, call (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

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