Blogger's note: This is the second installment of a story examining Atlantic League players who have signed with major league organizations during the last two years.
The Atlantic League had a few more checks to cash this summer.
The league has sold a record 33 players to major league organizations this season, and with two weeks left to play in August, that number could increase. Four players from the York Revolution, including Nick McCurdy (above), returned to affiliated baseball this summer.
According to Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein, the league only receives payment from major league organizations if a player is signed during the Atlantic League's regular season. Here's a look at some of the details surrounding the players signed by major league organizations this season.
TEAM-BY-TEAM BREAKDOWN
The number of players signed by major league organizations according to their Atlantic League franchise.
(through Aug. 15)
Bridgeport: 4
Camden: 7
Lancaster: 5
Long Island: 3
Newark: 3
Somerset: 5
Southern Maryland: 2
York: 4
MONTH-BY-MONTH BREAKDOWN
The number of players signed by major league organizations through Aug. 15.
May:10
June: 16*
July: 5
Aug: 3* (through Aug. 15)
Sept: N/A
*--The Phillies signed Long Island's Joe Valentine in May. He returned to the league and the Reds signed him in August. Both signings are accounted for in figures.
MAJOR LEAGUE BREAKDOWN
The number of Atlantic League players signed by major league organizations through Aug 15.
Angels: 3
Astros: 3
Marlins: 3
Phillies: 3*
White Sox: 3
Braves: 2
Brewers: 2
Dodgers: 2
Indians: 2
Mets: 2
Rockies: 2
A's: 1
Orioles: 1
Pirates: 1
Rangers: 1
Reds: 1*
Red Sox: 1
Royals: 1
*--The Phillies signed Long Island's Joe Valentine in May. He returned to the league and the Reds signed him in August.
POSITION-BY-POSITION BREAKDOWN
The number of players signed by major league organizations according to their position.
P: 16* (10* RHP, 6 LHP)
C: 3
1B: 1
2B: 0
SS: 2
3B: 1
OF: 10
*--The Phillies signed Long Island's Joe Valentine in May. He returned to the league and the Reds signed him in August. He is counted only once in figures.
INTERNATIONAL BREAKDOWN
The number of players signed by leagues located outside the United States.
Mexico: 3
Taiwan: 1
PLAYER-BY-PLAYER BREAKDOWN
The details surrounding each Atlantic League player who left the league during the 2008 season for major league organizations and international leagues.
Notes: The league does not receive compensation from major league organizations for any player signed before or after the regular season. Players signed during the preseason are listed but not counted toward the league or team total. If a player's contract was purchased by a major league organization, the team where the player was first assigned within that organization is listed in parenthesis.
BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH
Mike Connolly, LHP
Telling stat: Did not play in regular season.
Signed: April 15-22
Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan
Returned to Bridgeport lineup July 5
Brian Peterson, C
Telling stat: Batted .400, 7 G
Signed: May 5
Baltimore Orioles (Double-A Bowie)
Adam Greenberg, OF
Telling stat: 4 EXB hits, 13 G
Signed: May 9
L.A. Angels of Anaheim (Double-A Arkansas)
Derrick Ellison, LHP
Telling stat: 1.42 ERA, 22 G
Signed: July 18
Milwaukee Brewers (Rookie Brevard County)
Eric DuBose, LHP
Telling stat: 3.91 ERA
Signed: Aug. 4
L.A. Dodgers (Triple-A Las Vegas)
CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS
Chris Walker, OF
Telling stat: Batted .290, 20 RBIs, 28 G
Signed: May 27
L.A. Angels of Anaheim (Triple-A Salt Lake)
Erick San Pedro, C
Telling stat: Batted .281
Signed: May 30
Chicago White Sox (Double-A Birmingham)
Brian Lawrence, RHP
Telling stat: 32 Ks, 9 BBs
Signed: June 8
Atlanta Braves (Triple-A Richmond)
Brett Bonvechio, 1B/Util.
Telling stat: Batted .227, 39 RBIs
Signed: June 13
Chicago White Sox (Class A Winston-Salem)
Jason Phillips, C/1B
Telling stat: Batted .302, 38 RBIs, 42 G
Signed: June 25
Atlanta Braves (Triple A Richmond)
Ryan Drese, RHP
Telling stat: 6-1, 3.44 ERA
Signed: June 26
Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis)
Gary Cates, SS/UTIL
Telling stat: Batted .286, 31 RBIs, 61 G
Signed: July 3
Philadelphia Phillies (Class A Clearwater)
LANCASTER BARNSTORMERS
Jason Perry, OF
Telling stat: 20 HRs, 94 RBIs (2007 Triple-A)
Signed: April 18
Atlanta Braves (Double-A Mississippi)
Zach Parker, LHP
Telling stat: 2-0, 1.32
Signed: May 12
Texas Rangers (Double-A Frisco)
Vasili Spanos, 3B
Telling stat: Batted .250, 3 HRS, 20 G
Signed: May 25
Florida Marlins (Class A Jupiter)
Brian Stavisky, OF
Telling stat: Batted .282, 20 RBIs, 29 G
Signed: May 26
L.A. Angels of Anaheim (Double-A Arkansas)
Jarred Ball, OF
Telling stat: Batted .190, 40 G
Signed: June 25
Houston Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
Josh Hall, RHP
Telling stat: 6-3, 4.10 ERA
Signed: July 25
Colorado Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs)
LONG ISLAND DUCKS
Joe Valentine, RHP
Telling stat: 2-1, 1.62 ERA, six saves
Signed: May 24
Philadelphia Phillies (Double-A Reading)
Returned to L.I. lineup June 24
Telling stat: 3-2, 7 saves since return
Signed: Aug. 4
Cincinnati Reds (Double-A Chattanooga)
Ray Navarette, INF
Telling stat: 40 RBIs, 39 G
Signed: June 10
Mexican League (Tabasco)
Returned to L.I. lineup June 17
Estee Harris, OF
Telling stat: Batted .328, 30 RBIs
Signed: June 13
Chicago White Sox (Class A Winston-Salem)
Jay Gibbons, OF
Telling stat: 19 RBIs, 27 G
Signed: July 21
Milwaukee Brewers (Double-A Huntsville)
NEWARK BEARS
Brian Burgamy, OF
Telling stat: Batted .265, 14 RBIs
Signed: June 5
N.Y. Mets (Class A St. Lucie)
Val Majewski, OF/1B
Telling stat: Batted .368, 47 RBIs
Signed: June 21
Houston Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
Cory Aldridge, OF/DH
Telling stat: Batted .365, 54 RBIs, 61 G
Signed: June 30
Kansas City Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas)
SOMERSET PATRIOTS
Brandon Knight, RHP
Telling stat: 50Ks, 38 2/3 IP
Signed: May 27
N.Y. Mets (Triple-A New Orleans)
Travis Minix, RHP
Telling stat: 1.59 ERA
Signed: June 2
Philadelphia Phillies (Double-A Reading)
Bret Prinz, RHP
Telling stat:13 S, 0.56 ERA
Signed: June 1
Oakland Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento)
Andy Van Hekken, LHP
Telling stat: One appearance, 6 ER
Signed: April 30-May 2
Mexican League (Laguna)
Returned to Somerset lineup June 2
Houston Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi)
Michael Ryan, OF
Telling stat: 15 HRs, 53 R, 65 G
Signed: July 23
Florida Marlins (Triple-A Albuquerque)
SOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS
Dan Reichert, RHP
Telling stat: 3-1, 3.40 ERA
Signed: May 30
Cleveland Indians (Triple-A Buffalo)
John Halama, LHP
Telling stat: 4-1, 1.91 ERA
Signed: June 4
Cleveland Indians (Triple-A Buffalo)
YORK REVOLUTION
Steve Schmoll, RHP
Telling stat: Did not play a game for York, contract purchased less than 24 hours after signing in preseason w/ Revs
Signed: April 10
Washington Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg)
Does not count toward league total because his contract was purchased in the preseason.
Kenny Perez, SS
Telling stat: Batted .279 at home
Signed: June 2
Colorado Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs)
David Gassner, LHP
Telling stat: 2-3, 3.06 ERA -- third in the league
Signed: June 4
Boston Red Sox (Double-A Portland)
Wayne Franklin, LHP
Telling stat: 4-2, 5.47 ERA
Signed: June 12
Mexican League (Tijuana)
Returned to York lineup July 1
Heath Totten, RHP
Telling stat: 5 2/3 IP, 4 G
Signed: June 23
Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A Las Vegas)
Nick McCurdy, RHP
Telling stat: 2.04 ERA, 1-2, 8 Saves
Signed: Aug. 3
Florida Marlins (Class A Greensboro)
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