Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have signed right-handed pitcher and 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Lucas Irvine for the 2017 season.

“I’m very excited to return to Somerset and get another opportunity to contribute towards a championship,” said Irvine. “2015 was a great year and experience for me, and it all started with the Patriots. With the great fans, community and atmosphere in Somerset, it was a no-brainer to come back once the phone rang.”

Irvine enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and second in the Atlantic League. Irvine went 6-8 with the Patriots in 2015 and was named a mid-season All-Star. His 3.41 ERA ranked sixth-best in the league, while his 106 strikeouts tied him with teammate Matt Zielinski for tops on the team and eighth in the Atlantic League. Irvine also finished second on the team in innings pitched (129.1).

The Kansas City, Missouri resident had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks towards the end of the 2015 season, and proceeded to go 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts with High-A Visalia. Irvine spent most of 2016 with the Diamondbacks and combined for a 5-3 record with a 3.98 ERA and 52 strikeouts spread across 14 games (nine starts) between the High-A, Double-A and Triple-A levels.

“It will be great to have Lucas pitch for the Patriots in 2017,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “Luke has pitched well at many different levels for the Diamondbacks and has gained valuable experience. He has a very good arm and we believe he will be even better than he was in his first stint with us. Luke is an extremely hard worker, great guy in the clubhouse and a true competitor on the hill.”

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana alumnus owns a 31-27 record with a 3.38 ERA and 505 strikeouts over 135 games (95 starts) in his five-year professional career.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.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.