atlanticleague.com

Frederick, MD – February 17, 2023 – The new soon-to-be-named Frederick Atlantic League Professional Baseball (ALPB) Club is excited to introduce hitting coach, Aharon Eggleston and pitching coach Elih Villanueva. Both will join Manager, Mark Minicozzi for Frederick’s inaugural Atlantic League season in 2023 and round out the coaching staff.

Eggleston will serve as the hitting coach and brings a wealth of knowledge from his 13-year professional career. During his final season as a player in 2017, Eggleston played for the Summerset Patriots of the Atlantic League and hit .263 with 41 RBIs in 101 games. He earned Atlantic League All-Star honors four times during his career and was named the Atlantic League Outfielder of the year in 2016. He is a hard-working leader who is committed to his players, fans, and our community off the field.

In 2022, Eggleston helped lead the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League to the best overall record in the league and a playoff appearance. His mentoring and dedication helped multiple hitters on the Wild achieve career years at the plate during that season. Eggleston will be a significant asset to the Frederick ALPB Club.

Rounding out the staff as pitching coach is former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, Elih Villanueva. He will join the Frederick ALPB Club in a dual role as player coach, serving as pitching coach and a pitcher. Villanueva is entering his 16^th season as a player and second season as a player/coach. 

Last season with the Eild Health Genomes, Villanueva was the ace of the team’s pitching staff in the Atlantic League, registering 12 wins and leading the league in strikeouts with 151 in 140.1 innings pitched. He seamlessly fit into dual role with Genomes with his wealth of experience and excelled in his role managing the pitching staff in 2022.

Villanueva was drafted by the Marlins in the 27^th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur draft from Florida State University. He appeared in his first MLB game on June 15, 2011, at the age of 24. He is familiar with the Atlantic League having played for Lancaster (2017), Charleston (2021), and Kentucky (2022).

“I am extremely excited to have Aharon and Elih join our coaching staff for 2023. They are values based leaders, who will represent our team and community positively on and off the field,” said Minicozzi.

About Attain Sports and Entertainment

Based in McLean, Va., Attain Sports and Entertainment owns and manages the Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate Bowie (MD) Baysox, the MLB Draft League Frederick (MD) Keys, and a yet to be named Atlantic League baseball team based in Frederick, Maryland. The company was formed in 2021 to present sports as affordable family-friendly entertainment with a commitment to community engagement, customer service, innovation, and the professional growth and development of its employees. For more information, visit www.attainse.com.

About the Frederick Atlantic League Team

The yet to be named Frederick Baseball Team is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. With its inaugural season in 2023, the team plays its home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, Maryland. The club will open its 2023 season on the road against the Gastonia Honey Hunters on Friday, April 28. The home opener at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium will be on Tuesday, May 2 against the Lexington Legends. Season and group tickets are now available for the 2023 season. For more information, please call 301.815.9900 or visit us online at www.frederickatlanticleague.com

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary season in 2023, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com