Brandon Chaves, James Skelton Also Join Bees for Inaugural Season

(New Britain, Conn., March 9, 2016) – New Britain Bees team officials today announced that the club has signed former Red Sox draft pick Jonathan Roof for the upcoming season. The Bees have also signed infielder Brandon Chaves and INF/OF James Skelton to contracts for their inaugural Atlantic League campaign.

Roof joins the Bees after spending last season with the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA, Red Sox) of the International League. The right handed 27-year old infielder and outfielder has six seasons of professional experience, tallying 18 home runs and 176 RBIs. The Paducah, Kentucky native was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft out of high school, and then signed with the Texas Rangers after being drafted out of Michigan State in the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Chaves, 36, joins the Bees after splitting last season between the Camden Riversharks and the York Revolution. A native of Hilo, Hawaii, Chaves was drafted in the 10th round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, reaching the AAA level with the Durham Bulls (AAA, Tampa Bay) in 2009. The switch-hitting infielder has also played for the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League, as well as two seasons for Rimini in the Serie A1 Italian Baseball League in Italy. Chaves owns 15 home runs, 133 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in five Atlantic League campaigns.

A native of West Covina, California, Skelton played for Somerset last season, his fourth in the Atlantic League. Prior to the Atlantic League, the 5’ 11”, 165 lbs. catcher, infielder, and outfielder reached the AAA level twice; in 2011 with the Louisville Bats (AAA, Reds) and in 2012 with the Syracuse Chiefs (AAA, Nationals). In addition to Somerset, Skelton has suited up for Lancaster and Southern Maryland, registering 13 home runs and 112 RBIs, as well as 51 stolen bases in his three season Atlantic League career.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan, James, and Brandon to the Bees for our inaugural season,” said manager Stan Cliburn. “Jonathan brings recent AAA experience to our team, while both James and Brandon add veteran Atlantic League experience to our roster. Each player has skills that fill a variety of needs at multiple positions and we’re looking forward to all three players becoming valuable members of our roster.”

The New Britain Bees are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and will begin their inaugural season of play at New Britain Stadium on April 21. For further information or to become a season ticket holder, email [email protected], call 860-826-BEES (2337), or visit NBBees.com.

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