Infielder assigned to Rome Braves of South Atlantic League

(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2015) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced that infielder Ryan Gebhardt has been signed by the Atlanta Braves organization. He will report to the team’s Single-A affiliate in Rome, Georgia and is the Ducks’ 11th player signed by a Major League Baseball or foreign organization this season (Bobby Blevins, Taiwan; Kevin Vance, Diamondbacks; Trayvon Robinson, Diamondbacks; Mike Blanke, Red Sox; Hector Ambriz, Nationals; Mickey Jannis, Mets; Andrew Barbosa, Braves; Lew Ford, Mexico; Reegie Corona, Nationals; Rich Hill, Red Sox). He also becomes the 80th Ducks player signed by MLB all-time.

“We would like to thank Ryan for his time with the ballclub,” says Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “Although his stay was short, we appreciate his efforts and wish him all the best with the Braves organization.”

Gebhardt was signed by the Ducks on August 15 and played in four games with Long Island. He drove in three runs with the team, including two on a pair of sacrifice flies in his Ducks debut. In addition, the Louisiana native drew two walks, one of which plated a run on Tuesday against the Patriots.

The 23-year-old joined Long Island after spending three seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He began the year with Single-A Kane County, Advanced-Visalia and Double-A Mobile, combining for a .254 batting average with 20 RBI, 27 runs, 10 doubles and two triples in 77 games. In 2014, he compiled a .326 batting average with 29 RBI, 39 runs, 12 doubles and two triples in 68 games with Single-A South Bend and Visalia. The Louisiana Tech University alum was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 17th round of the 2013 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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