Bluefish Ink 2 Southpaws

By Bob Phillips

While most of Connecticut spent Tuesday hunkered down to deal with several inches of snow compliments of Winter Storm Stella, it was just another day at the office for the Bridgeport Bluefish, who announced the signing of pitchers Drake Britton and Alex Burgos for the 2017 season.

Britton joins the Bluefish for his 10th season of professional baseball and first in the Atlantic League. Last season, the former major leaguer pitched for the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. In 37 games, he posted a 4.57 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 41.1 innings for the Mud Hens.

A 27-year-old southpaw, Britton was a 23rd-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox in 2007, and made his pro debut with Class-A Lowell of the New York Penn League. He spent his first seven seasons with the Red Sox organization, making it to the big leagues in 2013 and 2014 when he pitched 27.3 innings for the BoSox, earning one victory and posting a 2.93 ERA. The 27-year-old southpaw also struck out 21 batters in 27.3 innings for the Sox. Overall, the Waco, Tex., native has pitched 634 innings, and owns a 4.68 ERA with 514 strikeouts in his 216-game minor-league career.

Burgos comes to Bridgeport for his eighth season of pro ball—and his first in the Atlantic League. Last year, he pitched in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, spending most of his time with Rancho Cucamonga the Dodgers’ Class A California League, with Class A Great Lakes of the Midwest League, and with AA Tulsa of the Texas League. In 27 combined games, Burgos earned a 5-0 record with a 2.76 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 49.0 innings.

Primarily a reliever throughout his career, Burgos started out in 2010 after being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round of the MLB draft. In five seasons in the Detroit system, he reached as high as the AAA in 2014. A native of Kissimmee, Fla., the 26-year-old southpaw has posted a 3.29 ERA with 364 Ks in 451 innings in the minors.

“Drake and Alex are going to add a depth to our pitching staff that will carry us through the season,” said Bluefish General Manager Paul Herrmann. “These two are great additions to the team, and we’re excited to have them.”

The Bluefish, charter members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, widely regarded as the top independent circuit in the United States, will open the 2017 season with a seven-game road trip—all against the Sugar Land Skeeters in Sugar Land, Tex.—before returning to open their 20th season in the Park City on Friday, April 28, when they will entertain the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. First pitch at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is slated for 4:05 p.m.

Season tickets, ranging from $520 to $920—a significant discount from full retail price ($1,420- $2,350)—are currently available. Bluefish season ticket holders receive many perks, including free parking for all home games and special access to a VIP entrance to the ballpark. For a complete list of all Bluefish season ticket amenities, please click HERE. Several different mini-plan packages designed to meet all Connecticut baseball fans’ needs are also currently on sale. For more information on Bridgeport Bluefish mini-plans, please click HERE.

—With Staff Reports

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