Bees Sign Three

NEW BRITAIN–The New Britain Bees announced the signing of three pitchers this week—SamGervacio, Rainy Lara, and Brandon Fry. A native of Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic, Gervacio joins New Britain for his 13th season of professional baseball and third in the Atlantic League. Last year, the former big leaguer made 36 relief appearances with Vallejo of the independent Pacific Association, finishing the season with a 3.46 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 18 saves in 39.0 innings pitched.   After signing with the Houston Astros as a free agent in 2005, Gervacio made his major league debut in 2009. In two seasons with the Astros, he appeared in 35 games and went 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. His previous experience in the Atlantic League came with the Bridgeport Bluefish from 2015-16 when he appeared in 82 games, earning seven victories with a 3.36 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 88.1 innings. Overall, the 6-0, 175-lb. right-hander owns a career record of 39-35 with a 3.39 ERA and 699 strikeouts over 542.0 innings in 450 minor league appearances. Lara joins the Bees for his ninth season of professional baseball and second in the Atlantic League. Last year, the pitcher spent time with the Bridgeport Bluefish and was named to the Atlantic League All Star team. In 25 starts, he earned nine victories with a 4.31 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 142.0 innings pitched. The 26-year-old made his professional debut in 2010 with the New York Mets organization in the foreign rookie-level Dominican Summer League. Prior to joining the Bluefish, he had been in the Mets farm system for his entire career, reaching the Triple-A level in both 2015 and 2016. Overall, in 158 career minor league outings (136 starts), Lara owns a 53-45 record with a 3.78 ERA and 586 strikeouts in 784.0 innings pitched. Fry returns to New Britain for his sixth season of professional baseball and third in the Atlantic League. Last year with the Bees, the 6-3, 195-lb. southpaw appeared in 67 games and posted a 4.31 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. The 24-year-old was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 18th round of the 2013 amateur draft and made his professional with Single-A Eugene of the Northwest League the same year. He spent three seasons in the Padres organization before heading to New Britain to make his Atlantic League debut during the 2016 campaign. In 160 career minor league outings, Fry has a 4.84 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 206.1 innings pitched. “The addition of the three pitchers will certainly help out pitching staff,” said Smith. “Sam brings big league experience and has very impressive numbers over his career. Rainy was an All-Star last year and proved he is a capable starter in this league, while Brandon has been a reliable arm in our bullpen the last two seasons.” The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, widely acknowledge as the top independent minor league circuit in the country, and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on Bees tickets, packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com. —Staff Reports