Somerset Patriots Re-Sign Major League RHP Dustin Antolin

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have re-signed Major League right-handed pitcher Dustin Antolin for the 2018 season.

“My time with the Patriots last year made me fall in love with the game again,” said Antolin. “I can’t wait to get back on that field and start winning some games!”

Antolin enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and second in the Atlantic League. The 6’2” righty carried a 2.07 ERA with four saves over 21 relief appearances with the Patriots last year after joining the team in mid-July. Additionally, he struck out 29 batters against just three walks over 21.2 innings of work. That included a 14-game stretch to begin his Somerset tenure over which Antolin to did not allow an earned run (15 IP).

The Hawaii native shined a year before joining the Patriots with Triple-A Buffalo (Toronto Blue Jays), where he posted a 2.04 ERA with 10 saves and 61 strikeouts over 53 innings pitched. That earned him a promotion to the big leagues with the Blue Jays in May of 2016. He made one appearance with Toronto, spinning two innings of work.

“Of course we are thrilled to have him. Dustin was a joy to have around last year, not only as a superb pitcher, but also as a great guy and teammate,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “He can do any job in the bullpen and has a great time with his teammates. But when it is time to pitch, he has laser focus and goes about his job with extreme professionalism. Antolin will again be a vital part of our bullpen and we look forward to what this year brings.”

The 11^th-round draft pick spent the first nine seasons of his professional career in the Blue Jays organization before he joined the Washington Nationals to begin 2017. He appeared in 24 games (four starts) with Triple-A Syracuse prior to signing with the Patriots in July. Antolin owns a 32-36 record with 22 saves and 462 strikeouts over 668.0 innings in 10 seasons of minor league baseball.

The Somerset Patriots led the Atlantic League in attendance and made their 14th appearance in the playoffs last season. The Somerset Patriots will welcome their 7,000,000th fan in their 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in 2018.  Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Season presented by Ford beginning at home on Friday, April 27^th. For more information, please 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 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 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.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.