Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the signing of outfielder Justin Pacchioli for the 2017 season.

“I have heard great things about [Somerset], the fans and how they treat the players,” said Pacchioli. “It is always exciting to enter a winning atmosphere, and that is what I get to do here. I can’t wait for the season to begin.”

Pacchioli enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 24 year-old took off the 2016 season for personal reasons after spending his lone campaign in professional baseball in the San Diego Padres organization.

A 10^th-round draft pick by the Padres in 2015, Pacchioli played in 58 games with short-season Tri-City that year and posted a .245 average with 14 RBI and 19 stolen bases. His 19 steals led the team and ranked seventh in the Northwest League that year.

“We love to bring in young, competitive guys into spring training, and Justin fits that mold,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “He is a plus defender in the outfield and can create havoc on the bases with his speed. While he does not have a lot of experience, we think he is a good ballplayer who will turn some heads in camp once he gets here.”

The Easton, Pennsylvania native enjoyed a noteworthy collegiate career at Lehigh University. There, Pacchioli ranks as the program’s all-time leader in stolen bases (69), fifth in program history in batting (.344) and sixth in triples (8). He also set the single-season stolen base record (31) in his senior year and is one of just nine Mountain Hawks to be named as a three-time All Patriot League selection (2013-15).

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.