Left-handers Jimmy Patterson and Brandon Bixler make their way to Bridgeport
(Bridgeport, Conn. –August 14, 2015) –The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signing of left-handed pitchers Jimmy Patterson and Brandon Bixler.
“We’re excited to have both Jimmy and Brandon join our club during our stretch run,”says Bluefish Manager Ricky VanAsselberg. "They will add some depth to the bullpen and help us during close games.”
Patterson comes to Bridgeport during his sixth season of professional baseball. This year, he split time in the Tampa Bay Rays organization with the Gulf Coast Rays, Double-A Montgomery Biscuits and Triple-A Durham Bulls where he made nine appearances on the mound with a collective ERA of 3.48. Last season, the left-hander appeared in a total of 40 games with Montgomery and Durham, collecting a 5-1 record with a 3.89 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 74.0 innings of work.The 26-year-old made his professional debut in 2010 after he was drafted in the MLB amateur draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent six years within the Rays organization before deciding to join the independent ranks this year with the Bluefish. Patterson made it to Triple-A Ball in 2012, 2013 and again in 2015 within the Rays organization. In 155 career minor league games, Patterson owns a 25-17 record with a 3.26 ERA and 282 strikeouts in 342.1 innings of work.
Bixler comes to Bridgeport for his third season of professional baseball. He began the 2015 campaign with Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League (Minnesota Twins), where he made six appearances on the mound. Last year, the left-hander appeared in 41 games for Cedar Rapids, collecting a 7-4 record with a 2.68 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 74.0 innings of work.The 23-year-old made his professional debut in 2013 after he was drafted in the 16th round of the MLB amateur draft by Minnesota. He spent three years within the Twins organization, starting in Rookie ball for Elizabethton of the Appalachian League in 2013. Bixler then moved to Single-A ball with Cedar Rapids for his 2014 season and start of his 2015 season. In 62 career minor league games, Bixler owns a 10-6 record with a 2.97 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 106.0 innings of work.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.
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