Trio Returns to Park City
Published on February 23, 2012 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - Feb. 23, 2012) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of catcher Luis Rodriguez and pitchers Matt Pike and Kyle Zaleski. Rodriguez, Pike, and Zaleski all return to the Bluefish after spending the 2011 campaign in Bridgeport.
"We're very pleased to bring back this group for the 2012 season," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "Luis is a tremendous leader both on the field and in the clubhouse, while Matt and Kyle were important members of our pitching staff and will be counted on once again."
Rodriguez returns to the Bluefish for his first year as player/coach, sixth in the Atlantic League and 20th of professional baseball. In 90 games last season, the 38-year-old batted .244 with 43 RBI, 39 runs scored, 15 doubles and a career-best 10 home runs. Known as "The Machete" for his penchant for cutting down runners on the basepaths with a cannon of an arm, Luis has played for the Long Island Ducks and the Nashua Pride, then of the Atlantic League, before coming to Bridgeport in 2008. The veteran backstop brings extensive professional experience to Bridgeport, including eight stints at the Triple-A level with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cardinals and Tigers organizations. Over his minor league career, Rodriguez has appeared in 1,320 games, recording a .255 batting average with 90 home runs and 577 RBI.
Pike makes his way back to Bridgeport for his fifth year in the Atlantic League and 12th of professional baseball. In 25 starts last season with Bridgeport, the righthander posted a record of 8-8 with a 4.32 ERA and 77 strikeouts over the course of 150 innings of work. He also accomplished one of the best single-game performances of his career on June 23, coming two outs shy of a no-hitter against the Somerset Patriots. He allowed only one hit and one run in the complete-game victory. In 2010, the Michigan-native posted personal bests with 12 victories, 27 games started, 167 innings pitched and 85 strikeouts with the 'Fish. After four successful years in the Park City, he has become one of the top pitchers in Bluefish history, ranking second with 34 wins, third with 540 innings pitched, and fourth with 305 strikeouts. Matt began his career as a non-drafted free agent with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000. After two seasons as a Reds farmhand, he was signed by the Elmira Pioneers of the Northeast League. Pike posted a 2.01 ERA in Elmira, leading to the New York Yankees purchasing his contract. He made seven appearances for the Tampa Yankees (Advanced A - Florida State League) in 2002, tossing a total of 10.2 innings. Following his brief stint with New York, Pike played in multiple independent leagues from 2003 to 2007, before landing in Bridgeport in 2008. The 33-year-old owns a 50-38 record with a 4.16 ERA in 291 career minor league appearances (92 starts).
Zaleski returns to the Park City to begin his third stint in the Atlantic League, previously pitching with York last season and Southern Maryland in 2010. The 30-year-old began the 2011 campaign with St. Paul of the American Association, totaling a 1-1 record with an 1.88 ERA and 14 strikeouts over three starts (14.1 innings). He then appeared in one outing for York before making his way to the Park City. In 22 appearances with the 'Fish, the righthander won two games and posted a 4.15 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. In his career, Kyle has also pitched for Sioux Falls of the American Association, Alexandria of the Continental Baseball League, Joliet of the Northern League, El Paso of the Central League, and Gateway of the Frontier League. He has compiled a career record of 17-13 with a 4.13 ERA, 253 strikeouts, and 307.1 innings pitched in 123 appearances (27 starts). Zaleski was originally signed out of Illinois State University in 2004 by Gateway of the Frontier League.
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. 2012 season tickets, mini-plans, and group outings are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
Atlantic League Stories from February 23, 2012
- Blue Crabs Take a "Pinch" out of Need - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Skeeters Announce Sellouts - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Barnstormers Sign Pitcher, Acquire Shortstop - Lancaster Stormers
- Trio Returns to Park City - Bridgeport Bluefish
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
