Trio of Ducks Return to Flock
March 29, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Pitcher Bobby Blevins, Pitcher Patrick Crider and Outfielder Anthony Vega of the Long Island Ducks
(Long Island Ducks)
(Central Islip, N.Y.) - The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of right-handed pitcher Bobby Blevins, left-handed pitcher Patrick Crider and outfielder Anthony Vega. Blevins enters his fifth season with the Ducks, while Crider and Vega both begin their second year on Long Island.
"All three players were very productive for us during the 2015 season," says Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. "Bobby continues to be a reliable starting pitcher for us, Patrick offers a lot of versatility in the bullpen and Anthony provides both strong defense and speed."
Blevins rejoined the Ducks in June of 2015 after beginning the year with Brother Elephants of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. He pitched in 15 games (14 starts) for the Flock, going 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA and 67 strikeouts to just 11 walks. The Briarcliff, N.Y. resident earned the win in Game Three of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Somerset, striking out seven batters over six innings.
The 31-year-old first came to Long Island in August of 2012 and helped the Ducks to back-to-back Atlantic League championships in 2012 and 2013. He also spent the entire 2014 campaign with the Ducks and posted career best numbers in earned run average (2.95), games started (27), innings pitched (189.1) and strikeouts (119). The LeMoyne College alum has made 50 appearances (47 starts) with Long Island and has a 15-10 record with a 3.23 ERA and 212 strikeouts to just 55 walks. Blevins was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2007 amateur draft.
Crider spent the entire 2015 season with the Ducks. He appeared in 60 games out of the bullpen, tied with teammate Amalio Diaz for most in the Atlantic League, and posted a 2-1 record with a 3.44 ERA and one save. In 55 innings of work, the southpaw struck out 48 batters and held opponents to a .232 batting average. The 28-year-old's best stretch came from May 19 to June 11 when he allowed just one run in 11 games, spanning a total of 10 and one-third innings.
The Kentucky resident spent the previous five seasons of his career in the Frontier League with the Evansville Otters and River City Rascals. During that time, he compiled a 17-7 record with a 3.00 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 195 innings of work. In 2014 with River City, he posted career-best totals in wins (7), ERA (1.43), strikeouts (62) and games played (65), which was also a league single-season record. Crider currently holds the Frontier League all-time record for appearances with 237.
Vega split time during the 2015 season between the Ducks and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He combined to play in 83 games and batted .262 with four home runs, 27 RBI, 47 runs, nine doubles and nine triples. The speedster also stole 16 bases for the season while getting caught stealing just twice. Defensively, he committed just one error over 79 games in the outfield, good for a .994 fielding percentage.
The 25-year-old began his career by playing three seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization. In 179 games, he totaled seven homers, 48 RBI, 77 runs, 21 doubles, 10 triples and 29 stolen bases. The Bronx native and Patchogue resident began his baseball career at Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island before going on to play with Manhattan College. Vega was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 30th round of the 2012 amateur draft.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
Images from this story
 Pitcher Bobby Blevins, Pitcher Patrick Crider and Outfielder Anthony Vega of the Long Island Ducks |
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