Somerset Patriots Sign Former Staten Island Yankee, New York First-Rounder Jeremy Bleich

By Jerry Del Priore

On Monday, the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League announced that the team has inked hurler Jeremy Bleich, a former first round draft compensation selection (44th overall) of the New York Yankees in the 2008 MLB amateur draft, for the 2017 season.

The six-foot-two-inch southpaw pitch for the Staten Yankees—the short-season Single-A affiliate of the Yankees—in ’08 and 2012, totaled 11 strikeouts in 13.2 innings in six games (five starts) without a decision.

Bleich enters second season with the Patriots and his second in the Atlantic League. The 29-year-old joined Somerset last July and pitched in 17 games out of the bullpen, registering a 2.45 ERA and 28 Ks versus just three walks over 22 innings of work.

He began the season in the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization with Double-A Reading, where he posted four wins over 29 contests (one start).

Over 201 career minor league tilts (76 starts) during his eight-year professional career, the New Orleans, La., native posted a 3.83 ERA with 447 strikeouts in 556.1 innings.

Bleich spent his first six professional campaigns in New York’s farm system, reaching as high as Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the International League (IL) in 2014.

In addition, the Stanford University product recently made three relief appearances with Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, whiffing a pair of hitters over 2.1 innings of work.