’Fish Reel In Three

By Kristine M. Phillips

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport Bluefish announced the signing of two former big league pitchers, David Carpenter and Danny Burawa, for the 2017 season, as well as outfielder D’Arby Myers.

Carpenter returns to Bridgeport for his 10th season of professional baseball, and second in the Atlantic League—widely acknowledged as the top minor league circuit in the country. The former Major Leaguer began last season with the ‘Fish before his contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (Never could figure that one out… Something along the lines of the Oakland Raiders of Las Vegas via Los Angeles, right?) He made 15 appearances with the Salt Lake Bees of the AAA Pacific Coast League before returning to Bridgeport to finish the 2016 campaign. In 36 outings with the Bluefish, he earned a 3.79 ERA with 39 strikeouts and six saves across 35.2 innings of work.

The 31-year-old right-hander made his professional debut in 2006 after being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 12th round of the MLB draft. He has five big league campaigns under his belt, with the Houston Astros (2011-12), Toronto Blue Jays (2012), Atlanta Braves (2013-14), New York Yankees (2015), and Washington Nationals (2015). In a Major League career that spans 218 career MLB outings, Carpenter has a 3.92 ERA with 11 wins and 216 strikeouts in 211.1 innings. In 240 career minor league appearances, Carpenter has a 15-12 record with a 3.33 ERA and 288 strikeouts in 273.0 innings.

Burawa comes to Bridgeport for his seventh season of professional baseball and second in the Atlantic League. Last year, the former big leaguer began the season in the Atlanta Braves organization, playing with AAA Gwinnett of the International League and AA Mississippi of the Southern League. Midway through the season, he joined Bluefish’s cross-sound rivals, the Long Island Ducks. In 17.2 innings spanning 22 games with the Ducks, Burawa posted a 5.09 ERA while struck out 17 batters.

A native Long Islander, Burawa began his pro career in 2010 after being drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round of the MLB draft. He spent five seasons in the Yankees organization, making his Major League debut in 2015. That same season, he also spent time in the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves. In 13 career MLB games, Burawa has thrown 13 innings and has struck out 11 batters. In 210 career minor league games, he has thrown 317.2 innings, winning 18 games, striking out 298 batters, and posting a 3.74 ERA.

Myers joins the Bluefish for his second season in the Atlantic League, and his 12th season of professional baseball. Last year, the 6-3, 185-lb. outfielder who hits and throws right-handed, played for Southern Maryland of the Atlantic League, where he played in 102 games and hit .280 with seven home runs, 44 RBIs, 42 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. Myers began his professional career in 2006 after being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the MLB draft. He spent seven campaigns with the Phillies organization, and has also spent time in the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organizations. He reached as high as AAA with the Angels, playing for Salt Lake in 2015. In 797 career minor league games, D’Arby owns a .268 batting average with 30 home runs, 267 RBIs, 401 runs scored, and 153 stolen bases.

“Carpenter returning will be great for our bullpen,” said Bluefish General Manager Paul Herrmann. “He has a lot of Major League experience that he can share with the younger players. Danny also has MLB experience, and D’Arby is familiar with the Atlantic League and has had success at this level. We’re excited to have all three of these guys contribute to our team this year.”

The Bluefish are embarking on their 20th anniversary season, and open the 2017 campaign with a seven-game road trip to Sugar Land, Tex., where they will take on the Sugar Land Skeeters, before returning to Bridgeport for their home opener on Fri., Apr. 28 vs. the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m.

Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets are now on sale. For more information on the wide variety of ticket options available, please visit www.bridgeportbluefish.com or call 203-345-4800. The Bluefish ticket office is open Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on non-game days, and on game days beginning at 9 a.m. Mon.-Fri., and at 10 a.m. on weekends.

—with staff reports