Somerset Patriots Re-Sign MLB Pitcher Mickey Storey

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of Major League starting pitcher Mickey Storey.

“I really enjoyed my time in Somerset last year,” Storey said. “I’m excited to duplicate the great clubhouse camaraderie that we had last season. Obviously we achieved a lot on the field, and it will be tough to duplicate that success again, but I look forward to bringing another championship home!”

Storey enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and in the Atlantic League. The righty went 12-3 last year for Somerset, including a 2.53 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 18 starts. Storey’s 12 wins tied him with John Brownell (Long Island Ducks) for the league-lead. In addition, while his 106.2 innings pitched fell just short of the league minimum of 112 innings to qualify among league leaders, the 2.53 ERA on the season would have ranked second in the league. Only teammate Sean Bierman had a lower ERA, which was a new Atlantic League record.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native went 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA (three earned runs in 29 innings pitched) over his first five starts with the team before his contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in late May. Storey made four starts for Double-A Tulsa, going 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA including a complete-game shutout before returning to Somerset in late June. He then finished the season the same way he started: he won each of his last seven starts to end the regular season.

“It is a pleasure to have Mickey back this year,” manager Brett Jodie said. “Like many of our guys, I think Storey could just as easily be in the big leagues this year. He has been dominant everywhere he has pitched, including last year with us. Mickey is a veteran presence and the guys have extreme confidence in him when he takes the mound. He will be a pillar in our starting rotation.”

Storey has two years of service at the Major League level. He made his Major League debut in 2012 with the Houston Astros, carrying a 3.86 earned run average over 26 relief appearances. The following year, Storey made three appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays. Overall, he has made 29 appearances in the majors, striking out 40 batters over 34.1 innings pitched.

The Florida Atlantic University alum spent the first three years of his professional career in the Oakland Athletics organization, reaching Triple-A Sacramento in 2009 and 2010. He was traded to Houston in 2011 before making his MLB debut in 2012. He later spent two seasons in the Blue Jays organization before joining Somerset last year.

Storey is 35-22 with a 2.96 ERA, 501 strikeouts and 41 saves over 505.1 innings pitched in his eight-year minor league career.

The Somerset Patriots won their Atlantic League leading sixth championship during the 2015 season. Tickets are now on-sale for the upcoming 2016 season and the schedule can be viewed at www.somersetpatriots.com. For more information or to purchase tickets for the 2016 season, stop by TD Bank Ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League is the most innovative league in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball. In the league’s 18-year history, over 34 million fans have attended ALPB games and more than 800 players have joined MLB organizations.  The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcases the talent of top-caliber players and offers affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.  ALPB clubs serve the communities of Bridgeport and New Britain, Conn., Lancaster and York, Pa., Central Islip, N.Y., Bridgewater, N.J., Waldorf, Md., and Sugar Land, Texas. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com