Bees Sign Three More Ex-Big Leaguers

NEW BRITAIN—The New Britain Bees have announced the signings of infielder Alexi Amarista, and pitchers Zach Stewart and Jed Bradley.

Alexi Amarista joins the Bees for his first season in the Atlantic League and 13th of professional baseball. Last year, the former big leaguer split time between Triple-A Lehigh Valley of the Philadelphia Phillies organization and Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. In 65 combined games, he posted a .235 batting average with eight doubles, 19 runs scored, and 30 RBI.

The 29-year-old began his professional career with the Los Angeles Angels after being signed as an amateur free agent in 2007. After five impressive campaigns in the Angels organization, he made his Major League debut in 2011 at the age of 22. The following season Amarista was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he would spend the next five years in the big leagues and appear in over 100 games in four of those five campaigns. His final stop in the Majors came in 2017 with the Colorado Rockies. In seven big league seasons, he has appeared in 702 games, collecting a .231 batting average with 104 extra-base hits, 169 RBI, 171 runs scored, and 39 stolen bases.

Over the course of 574 career minor league games, Alexi has comprised a .305 batting average with 187 extra base hits, 270 RBI, 366 runs scored, and 125 stolen bases.

Zach Stewart returns to New Britain for his 12th year of professional baseball and second in the Atlantic League. Last season, the former big leaguer began the campaign with the Bees, starting 11 games and posting a 6-3 record with a 3.42 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 68.1 innings pitched. He then had his contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays and finished the year with Triple-A Buffalo, colleting two wins with a 4.98 ERA and 10 strikeouts over the course of 34.1 innings of work.

The 32-year-old was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft. The following year, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a deal for Scott Rolen. The right-hander would spend a couple seasons in the Blue Jays organization before making his Major League debut with Toronto in 2011. He would also spend time in the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. Overall, he appeared in 33 Major League games (14 starts), recording three wins and 64 strikeouts in 101.0 innings of work, including a complete game shutout of the Minnesota Twins on September 5, 2011, where he only allowed one hit and struck out nine batters.

He holds a record of 63-57 with a 3.75 ERA and 867 strikeouts over the course of 1,138.1 innings in 252 minor league appearances (184 starts).

Jed Bradley heads to New Britain for his seventh year of professional baseball and first in the Atlantic League. The former Major Leaguer last pitched in 2017 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles organization, splitting time between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie.

The 28-year-old was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round (15th overall) of the 2011 MLB amateur draft. He spent four seasons with the Brewers organization before heading over to the Atlanta Braves. In his first year with Atlanta in 2016, the lefthander posted an impressive 2.35 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 65.0 innings of work with Double-A Mississippi, prompting his first call up to the Major Leagues. He would appear in six games for the Braves that season, collecting one win and striking out four batters in seven innings.

Over the course of 149 career minor league appearances (77 starts), Jed has recorded 32 wins with a 4.47 ERA and 405 strikeouts in 511.1 innings pitched.

“It’s great to be able to have three players of this caliber come on board with the Bees,” says Bees General Manager Brad Smith. “Alexi has played in over 700 Major League games, including multiple seasons as an everyday player. He will bring an immense amount of experience to the club. Zach was tremendous for us last year, both on the mound and in the clubhouse, while Jed brings a power left-handed arm to our pitching staff.”

About the Bees
The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, widely recognized as the leading independent (i.e. unaffiliated) circuit in minor league baseball. With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic region (including Connecticut and Long Island) and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball.

Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com

The Bees 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