Atlantic League news, transactions Sept. 17 – 23
A little light on the news and transactions this week. A total of five players and five Atlantic League clubs were involved in transactions, which included two trades. But before we get tot those, here are a couple noteworthy points…
‘Stormers set the record: The Lancaster Barnstormers became the winningest team in Atlantic League history when they reached the 86-win plateau last week. It’s the most wins in a season in Atlantic League history. The Barnstormers finished the year with an 88-52 overall record.
Second-half division champs: The York Revolution and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs won the second-half title in their respective divisions. The Revs and Barnstormers ended the year with identical 43-27 second-half records. Since Lancaster won the first-half Atlantic League Freedom Division title, the second-half title is automatically awarded to York if the clubs finish with the same second-half records. Either way, the teams will now face each other in the Freedom Division Championship Series this week. Southern Maryland took the Liberty Division by 2.5 games over Bridgeport. The Blue Crabs will now face Long Island in the Liberty Division Championship Series. The Ducks will be looking for the second league title, last winning it in 2004. Southern Maryland, meanwhile, is still in search of the club’s first league title.
Now on the transactions…
BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH: Signed LHP Mike Porzio
Porzio returns to Bridgeport for the sixth time in his now 17-year pro career. The former Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies pitcher owns a 22-22 record and 4.19 ERA in 107 games for Bridgeport. The left-hander last pitched in the big leagues in 2003 as a member of the White Sox. The Connecticut native made a total of 51 appearances in the majors over three separate seasons, holding a career 3-3 record and 5.90 ERA.
CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS: Signed OF Chris Berroa
Berroa, 23, is a former Oakland Athletics’ prospect who hasn’t played since 2009. Either that or he’s been playing in a foreign league somewhere the last three years. In the very little stats to be found on Berroa, he hit .219 with a homer and 12 RBIs in 64 games in 2009 with the A’ Class A Kane County ball club.
RHP Josh Dew
LANCASTER BARNSTORMERS: Acquired RHP Josh Dew from Wichita (American Association) in exchange for future considerations
Dew, 27, will provide some depth to the Barnstormers’ bullpen in the post-season. The 6-foot-4 right-hander brings a 2.70 ERA from Wichita, where he appeared in 16 games, collecting a 3-0 record. A year ago, the Alabama native had a 1.12 ERA in 34 relief appears for the Wingnuts. Dew is a former draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round in 2007. The Troy University product later reached Class AA in 2008 but has spent his last three seasons playing indy ball.
RHP Nick DeBarr
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Acquired RHP Nick DeBarr from Grand Prairie (American Association) in exchange for a player to be named later
DeBarr brings over a 12-7 record and 4.34 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance from Grand Prairie this season. That’s not too bad for a righty who hasn’t started regularly in seven years. Last season, the California native had a 4.18 ERA in 38 relief appearances and two starts for Fort Worth (American Association). Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round in 2002, DeBarr reached Class AAA Durham in 2008. He posted a 4.73 ERA in 50 appearances that season before moving on to the Dodgers’ Class AAA Albuquerque affiliate in 2009 and putting up a 7.36 ERA in 23 appearances.
SOMERSET PATRIOTS: Signed C Matt Fischer
Fischer spent the last two seasons as Somerset’s bullpen catcher. He saw one at-bat as a pinch-hitter in the Patriots’ final regular season game Sunday.
