By Jerry Del Priore
The Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced that the New York Yankees purchased the contract of right-hander Andrew Bellatti, a former Major Leaguer with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Bellatti becomes the second Skeeters player in 2019 to have a Major League Baseball organization purchase his contract.
Bellatti, 27, made his Skeeters debut on April 26 in Sugar Land’s 7-6 win over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, tossing a scoreless inning of relief, while striking out the side.
He last appeared in affiliated baseball with Tampa in 2016, making stops at the High-A/Double-A/Triple-A levels, going a combined 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA.
Bellatti made his Major League debut on May 9, 2015, with the Rays against the Texas Rangers, picking up the win while allowing a hit, no runs and whiffing two batters over 3.1 innings of relief. Off special note, he recorded first career strikeout against All-Star MLB outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.
Baseball America rated the San Diego, California, native as Tampa’s No. 24 prospect prior to 2016 season. Bellatti owns 3-1 mark 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-best 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.).
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 