Bees Sign Three

NEW BRITAIN—The New Britain Bees have announced the signings of infielders Deibinson Romero and Jonathan Galvez, and pitcher Rainy Lara.

“To be able to bring back three All-Stars is a tremendous achievement for our club,” says Bees General Manager Brad Smith. “Deibinson and Jonathan are proven veterans that bring versatility to the field and power to the lineup, while Rainy has excelled in both of his years in the Atlantic League and gives stability to our rotation.”

Romero returns to the Bees for his second season in the Atlantic League and 14th of professional baseball. Last year, the infielder played in 120 games for New Britain, and collected a .255 batting average with 71 RBI and 61 runs scored. The slugger also ranked second in the Atlantic League with 27 doubles and fourth with 18 home runs, while being named to the Liberty Division All-Star team and taking home the Home Run Derby title at the All-Star game.

The 32-year-old began his professional career in 2006 within the Minnesota Twins organization. He spent nine years in the Twins farm system, reaching as high as the Triple-A level in both 2013 and 2014. This also included a two year stint playing in New Britain Stadium with the Rock Cats from 2011-12, where he posted career highs of 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 2012. The slugger also spent time with both the Pirates and Yankees organizations in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

In 1,201 career minor league games, Romero owns a .262 batting average with 123 home runs, 655 RBI, 598 runs scored, and a .349 on-base percentage.

Galvez returns to New Britain for his fifth season in the Atlantic League and 12th of professional baseball. Last year with the Bees, he posted a .277 batting average with 10 home runs, 47 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases, while being named to the Liberty Division All-Star team.

Prior to coming to the Hardware City, Jonathan spent three seasons with the Bridgeport Bluefish, including an impressive 2017 campaign, where he batted .277 with 16 home runs, 27 doubles, 77 RBI, 68 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, and a .351 on-base percentage over the course of 126 games played. He also represented the ‘Fish and the Liberty Division in the 2016 Atlantic League All-Star Game.

The 28-year-old began his professional career in 2008 within the San Diego Padres organization. He spent seven years in the Padres farm system, reaching Triple-A in both 2013 and 2014. The slugger also spent time with both the Mets and Yankees organizations in 2015.

In 1,074 career minor league games, Galvez owns a .277 batting average with 91 home runs, 542 RBI, 601 runs scored and 153 stolen bases.

Lara returns to the Bees for his 10th season of professional baseball and third in the Atlantic League. Last year with New Britain, he posted a 9-7 record with a 3.63 ERA with 81 strikeouts over the course of 124.0 innings of work, while being named to the league’s All-Star team for the second season in a row.

The right-hander made his Atlantic League debut with the Bridgeport Bluefish way back in 2017—when the Park City actually had a professional baseball team—and was named to the Liberty Division All Star team. In 25 starts, he earned nine victories with a 4.31 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 142.0 innings pitched.

The 27-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 Atlantic League, he had been in the Mets farm system for the entirety of his career, reaching the Triple-A level in both 2015 and 2016.

In 181 career minor league outings (157 starts), Rainy owns a 62-52 record with a 3.76 ERA and 667 strikeouts in 908.0 innings pitched.

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, widely recognized as the leading independent minor league circuit in the U.S., and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on tickets packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

—Staff Reports