Shortstop Luis Hernandez and pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo named End-of-Season All-Stars
(Bridgeport, Conn – October 13, 2016) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) today announced that Bluefish shortstop Luis Hernandez and pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo have been named End-of-Season All-Stars. Hernandez has also been named to the Atlantic League Red, White & Blue All-Defensive Team. Players were selected through voting from league club managers and executives.
“Both Luis and Jonathan are extremely deserving of these honors,” says Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. “We are very happy for them and proud to call them members of our Bluefish family.”
Luis Hernandez finished the 2016 season with a .283 batting average, 56 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. Defensively, Luis recorded a .967 fielding percentage at shortstop, while also collecting 200 put outs and a league-leading 389 assists. He also broke a franchise record in 2016, becoming the single-season at-bats leader on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. Hernandez’s 565 at-bats during the 2016 season were more than enough to surpass the previous record holder, James Simmons, who had 545 at-bats in 2014.
Luis came to Bridgeport for his first season in the Atlantic League and 14th of professional baseball. The 31-year-old made his professional debut in 2002 after being signed by the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent. He made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, where he spent two campaigns before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2009 and then the New York Mets in 2010. He also made a brief appearance with the Texas Rangers in 2012. In 122 career big league games, Hernandez owns a .243 batting average with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 22 runs scored.
Jonathan Albaladejo ended the 2016 campaign with 15 victories, a 4.07 ERA, and 164 strikeouts in 172.2 innings pitched across 28 appearances (all starts). On Sunday, September 18, 2016, Albaladejo became the new Bridgeport Bluefish franchise single-season leader in wins with 15. He surpassed the previous record holders, Dan Reichert (2009), Brad Cornett (2002), and Scott Conner (1999), who each had 14 wins in a season. He also became the new Atlantic League single-season leader in strikeouts with 164. The previous record was 161, set by Len Picota in 2001 as a member of the Nashua Pride.
Jonathan joined the Bluefish for his sixteenth season of professional baseball and first in the Atlantic League. The 33-year-old made his professional debut in 2001 after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the MLB draft. He spent six seasons with the Pirates organization, before signing with the Washington Nationals in 2007 where he made his Major League debut. In 2008, he was signed by the New York Yankees and spent parts of the next three campaigns with their big league club. He also appeared with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012. In 66 career Major League games, Albaladejo owns a 6-3 record with a 4.34 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 76.2 innings.
The entire 2016 Atlantic League End-of-Season All-Star Team and Red, White & Blue All-Defensive Team can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. The remainder of this year’s honors will be announced during the coming weeks, including the Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and other club honors.
About the Bridgeport Bluefish
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.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
###
