D’Backs Sign Jeremy Bleich to Minors Deal
The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement with left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich on a minor league contract, according to Mike Ashmore of myCentralJersey.com. His former independent league team — Somerset Patriots — announced the news that he had signed with Arizona.
The 29-year-old left-hander made 17 relief appearances for the Somerset Patriots last season, posting a 2–2 record, along with a 2.45 ERA, while striking out 28 batters and walking only three batters, in 22 innings out of the bullpen. Before being signing with Somerset, Bleich had a 4–2 record, along with a 4.14 ERA, in 41 and 1/3 innings pitched with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Double-A affiliate at Reading.
Originally drafted with the 44th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the New York Yankees, Bleich has played in three major-league organizations, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, along with the Yankees and Phillies. Over 198 career appearances in the minor leagues, he holds a 3.82 ERA in 553 and 2/3 innings pitched.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Bleich would play for Team Israel — being Jewish — in next month’s World Baseball Classic. He also played for them this past fall in the Brooklyn qualifiers, allowing one run (unearned) with three strikeouts, as he proved to be a much-needed shutdown reliever in his 2 and 1/3 innings of work.
