Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year Returns to Bluefish

The Bluefish announced the signing of 2016 Atlantic League Pitcher of the
Year Jonathan Albaladejo for the upcoming season. Albaladejo won 15
games for Bridgeport last season.

By Bob Phillips

Yesterday was a busy day for the Bridgeport Bluefish, who announced two major signings. Jonathan Albaladejo,

the reigning Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year, will return to Bridgeport for the team’s 20th anniversary season. In addition, Ozney Guillen will also be coming to the Park City, the team announced on Tuesday.
 
This will be the 17th season in professional baseball for the veteran Albaladejo, and his second go-round in the Atlantic League. Last season, the 6-5, 270-lb. San Juan, P.R., native made 28 starts for the Bluefish, earning 15 victories (a single-season franchise record) with 164 strikeouts (the all-time Atlantic League record) and a 4.07 ERA in 172.2 innings. For his outstanding performance, the 34-year-old right-hander was named to the Atlantic League All-Star team. 

After making his professional debut in 2001 with the Bradenton (Fla.) Pirates of the Class A Gulf Coast (Rookie) League, Albaladejo spent six seasons in the Pirates organization, making the switch from starter to reliever in 2005. In 2007, he signed with the Washington Nationals as a free agent, where he made his major-league debut. The following season he was traded to the New York Yankees for Tyler Clippard, and spent parts of the next three seasons in The Bronx. He also pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012. In his 66-game major league career, Albaladejo earned a 6-3 record with a 4.34 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 76.2 innings. His minor league numbers are 67-42 with a 3.42 ERA and 851 strikeouts in 949.1 innings. In addition, Albaladejo has also pitched in Mexico and Japan.

“Jonathan was outstanding on the mound for us last season, so we’re thrilled to have him back,” said Bluefish general manager Paul Herrmann.

Ozney Guillen (left) poses with dad, Ozzie, the former White
Sox skipper who was a one-game guest manager for the
Bluefish last season.

This will be the first season in the Atlantic League for Guillen, son of former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen—who was a one-game guest manager for the ’Fish last season. A 25-year old outfielder, Ozney Guillen has also played first base and second base in his four-year pro career. Last season, he was a member of Sioux Falls of the independent American Association, where he hit .241, scored 25 runs, drove in 21, and stole six bases in 67 games. He has also played with La Guaira of the Venezuelan Winter League.

Drafted out of high school by the White Sox in the 22nd round of the 2010 draft, the Boca Raton, Fla., native made his pro debut in 2014 with Normal (Okla.) of the independent Frontier League, where he played for two seasons. In his 233-game minor league career, Guillen has a .237 batting average with 14 home runs and 98 RBIs. He has also scored 102 runs and swiped 27 bases.

“It will be great to have a young player like Ozney join us this season,” said Herrmann. “He’s incredibly passionate about the game, and has a strong desire to succeed.

“Jonathan’s dominance and Ozney’s versatility will be dynamic to our club this season in our quest for an Atlantic League championship,” added Herrmann.

The Bluefish, charter members of the Atlantic League, widely regarded as the top independent circuit in the country, are one of two Connecticut-based teams in the circuit, along with the New Britain Bees. The Bluefish will start the season on a seven-game road trip to Sugar Land, Tex., where they will take on the Sugar Land Skeeters, before opening the home portion of the 2017 campaign on Fri., Apr. 28 vs. the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. First pitch is at 4:05 p.m.

The Bees open the season at home on Fri., Apr. 21, vs. the York Revolution. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and tickets are available at the Bees box office at New Britain Stadium or by clicking HERE.

—With Staff Reports