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Bellatti becomes second Skeeter in 2019 to have contract purchased by MLB team
 

(Sugar Land, Texas, April 29, 2019) - The Sugar Land Skeeters today announced that the contract of right-hander Andrew Bellatti has been purchased by the New York Yankees.

Bellatti becomes the second Skeeters player in 2019 to have his contract purchased by a Major League Baseball Organization. Right-hander Christian Bergman had his contract purchased by the Seattle Mariners on April 25 and has been assigned to Triple-A Tacoma.

The Skeeters had 14 contracts purchased by outside professional baseball organizations in 2018, including 12 by MLB organizations, which were both franchise single-season records.

Bellatti, 27, made his Skeeters debut on April 26 in the Skeeters 7-6 win over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, tossing a scoreless inning of relief, also striking out the side. He last appeared at the affiliated level in 2016 at the High-A/Double-A/Triple-A levels in the Tampa Bay Rays Minor League system, going a combined 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA in 2016.

Bellatti made Major League debut on May 9, 2015, with Tampa Bay Rays against the Texas Rangers. He picked up the win in MLB debut, allowing a hit and no runs over 3 ⅓ innings of relief while striking out two. He recorded first career strikeout against All-Star MLB outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.

The San Diego, Calif., native was rated as the Rays No. 24 prospect prior to 2016 season, per Baseball America. He recorded an MLB career-high four strikeouts in 2 ⅔ innings of work on May 16, 2015, against the Minnesota Twins. Bellatti Is 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 17 games (23.1 IP) at Major League level.

Bellatti recorded a career-high six saves in 2014 with Double-A Montgomery and recorded career-high 99 strikeouts in 2012 with Single-A Bowling Green, going 7-3 with a 2.97 ERA (91 IP). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Bellatti in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Steele Canyon High School (San Diego, Calif.).

The Skeeters, winners of the 2018 Atlantic League Championship, begin their eighth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at Constellation Field. Individual tickets, season tickets and mini plans for the 2019 season are currently available and can be purchased by visiting sugarlandskeeters.com, the TDECU Ticket Office at Constellation Field, or by calling the Skeeters at 281-240-4487.

All Skeeters home games can be streamed live on the Skeeters Youtube page or can be listened to live by visiting sugarlandskeeters.com Visit SugarLandSkeeters.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SL_Skeeters) for all the latest team news and the latest on events to be hosted at Constellation Field.

About the Sugar Land Skeeters

The Skeeters play at Constellation Field, a state-of-the-art stadium located at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land. The Skeeters are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) and play 140 regular season games. The Skeeters Baseball Foundation promotes youth education and healthy activities lifestyles by providing support to culturally, racially and economically diverse areas of the community. For more information please call 281-240-4487 or visit sugarlandskeeters.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With eight teams in Texas and the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.

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

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