Left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad called up by San Francisco Giants
(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 16, 2019) – The San Francisco Giants promoted 2018 Long Island Ducks left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad to the Major Leagues on Thursday. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in the Giants 7-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, thereby becoming the 20th player in Ducks history to reach the MLB level after playing on Long Island.
Abad made 19 relief appearances with the Ducks during the 2018 season. He compiled a 1-0 record with a 0.48 ERA and two saves, yielding just two runs (one earned) over 18.2 innings of work. The southpaw surrendered just 15 hits and five walks while striking out 23 batters and holding opponents to a .208 batting average. He began his Ducks career with 13 consecutive scoreless appearances and struck out at least one batter in 16 of his 19 games. The Dominican Republic native made five postseason appearances as well, giving up just one run on three hits in seven innings while striking out eight. His three scoreless innings of relief in Game Five of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Somerset helped the Ducks earn their third consecutive division title.
The 33-year-old was signed by the San Francisco Giants on February 28. He pitched six scoreless innings over three appearances with Double-A Richmond in the Eastern League to begin 2019 before being promoted to Triple-A Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League. In 38 appearances with the River Cats, he accrued a 2-3 record with a 3.07 ERA, 13 saves and 49 strikeouts to just four walks over 44 innings. Abad returns to the Major Leagues for the first time since 2017 with the Boston Red Sox. 2019 represents his ninth season at the MLB level and sixth Major League club (Astros, Nationals, Athletics, Twins, Red Sox).
Following is the complete list of Ducks players to reach MLB after playing on Long Island:
| PLAYER | YEAR(S) WITH DUCKS | PROMOTED BY | PROMOTION YEAR |
| Fernando Abad | 2018 | San Francisco Giants | 2019 |
| Wilkin Castillo | 2018 | Miami Marlins | 2019 |
| Henderson Alvarez | 2017 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2017 |
| Quintin Berry | 2017 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2017 |
| Tim Melville | 2017 | Minnesota Twins | 2017 |
| Rich Hill | 2015 | Boston Red Sox | 2015 |
| Scott Rice | 2008 | New York Mets | 2013 |
| Lew Ford | 2009, 2011-Present | Baltimore Orioles | 2012 |
| Kip Wells | 2010 | San Diego Padres | 2012 |
| Justin Hampson | 2010 | New York Mets | 2012 |
| Joey Gathright | 2010 | Boston Red Sox | 2011 |
| Robinson Cancel | 2010 | Houston Astros | 2011 |
| Erick Almonte | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2011 |
| Jay Gibbons | 2008 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2010 |
| Mel Stocker | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2007 |
| Nelson Figueroa | 2006 | New York Mets | 2008 |
| Ken Ray | 2002 | Atlanta Braves | 2006 |
| Bill Pulsipher | 2004 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2005 |
| Pedro Borbon Jr. | 2003 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2003 |
| Carlos Baerga | 2001 | Boston Red Sox | 2002 |
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.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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