Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have signed left-handed relief pitcher Justin Wright for the 2017 season.

“I’m real excited to join the team,” said Wright. “I have heard nothing but good things about [Somerset] and the fans, so I’m just ready to get in there and get to work.”

Wright enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The southpaw has played all seven years of his professional career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, including three different stints with Triple-A Memphis from 2014-2016. Last year, Wright split time between Memphis and Double-A Springfield, recording one save with 41 strikeouts in 47 appearances.

The Chesterfield, Virginia resident enjoyed a strong 2015 campaign in which he went 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 48 games between Memphis and Springfield. That included a 3.05 ERA in 36 games with Memphis. Overall, Wright has made 74 appearances at the Triple-A level over the last three years, recording five wins and striking out 77 batters over 89 innings of work.

“It is extremely important to have some good left-handed relief options in our bullpen, and Wright helps fill that need,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “We have received very favorable reports over our extensive research of Justin. He is a strike-thrower who has had success at all levels in which he has played. He also has high strikeout numbers which will help us get that ‘big out’ when we need it.”

The Virginia Tech University alumnus is 14-13 with a 3.67 ERA, 16 saves and a 9.3 K/9 ratio (357 strikeouts in 346.0 innings pitched) over his seven-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.