The Gastonia Ghost Peppers have re-signed catcher Patrick Mazeika and left-handed pitcher Nick Wells, and have added right-handed pitcher Raynel Espinal for the 2025 independent Atlantic League season, general manager Brady Salisbury recently announced on X.
Mazeika, 31, slashed .284/.389/.617 with a 1.006 OPS in 47 games for the Ghost Peppers last season.
He played in the New York Mets’ system for eight years, making the majors in 2021, and then suited up for the team again in 2022.
Wells made seven appearances, six of which were starts, as he posted a 3-0 record with a 2.55 ERA and struck out 42 batters in 35.1 innings of work with Gastonia in 2024. His impressive performance prompted the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League to purchase his contract.
Also, the 29-year-old made 30 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023, recording a 2.90 ERA and whiffing 37 hitters in 31 innings. Furthermore, he was a crucial part of the Ghost Peppers’ deep playoff run.
Wells pitched in the New York Yankees organization from 2013-2019, reaching as high as Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Espinal, 33, has spent the last few years in various leagues. In 2024, he climbed the hill for the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League.
Before that, Espinal suited up for the Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League in the 2023-24 campaign, and the Yakult Swallows of the Japan Eastern/Central Leagues in 2023.
Espinal made “The Show” with the Boston Red Sox in 2021, appearing in one contest in relief. He came out of the bullpen twice for the Cincinnati Reds the following season.
Gastonia opens up the year this Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Caromount Health Park against the York Revolution.
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Photo: Gastonia Ghost Peppers’ X account.
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