Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced that All-Star outfielder Justin Pacchioli’s contract has been purchased by the Boston Red Sox.

In his first season with the Somerset Patriots and in the Atlantic League, Pacchioli was named an All-Star and was hitting .281 with a team-high 61 runs and 35 stolen bases at the time of his contract being purchased. He also had 84 hits, 30 RBI, and was among the league leaders in stolen bases (3^rd), stolen base percentage (1^st – .946), and on base percentage (5^th – .384).

Before coming to Somerset, the 24 year-old took off the 2016 season for personal reasons after spending his first year in professional baseball in the San Diego Padres organization.

A 10th-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 season.

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).

Pacchioli becomes the 12^th Somerset Patriot to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization this season. Pitchers Logan Darnell (Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers), Jeremy Bleich (Los Angeles Dodgers), Tyler Cloyd and Ryan Kelly (Seattle Mariners), Aaron Laffey (Arizona Diamondbacks), Vin Mazzaro (Cincinnati Reds), and Mitch Atkins (New York Mets), along with outfielders Jerry Sands (San Francisco Giants) and Christian Marrero (Philadelphia Phillies), and infielder Tyler Bortnick (Milwaukee Brewers) have all had their contracts purchased this season.

The 2017 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford is the team’s 20^th Anniversary. The Somerset Patriots have clinched a 2017 Playoff berth by winning the Liberty Division First Half Championship. For more information about upcoming games and the Playoffs, 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 37 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.