Ducks ink closer, second baseman and catcher

(Central Islip, N.Y., April 8, 2016) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of right-handed pitcher Todd Coffey, infielder Mark Minicozzi and catcher Mike Dowd. All three enter their first season with the Ducks.

“All three players will fill important roles for our club in 2016,” says Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “Todd brings big league experience to the closer role, Mark is a versatile infielder who we plan to have play second base, and Mike has displayed outstanding defense in his career behind the plate.”

Coffey is a veteran of eight seasons in the Major Leagues with four different teams (Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers). He appeared in 461 games and compiled a record of 25-18 with a 4.10 ERA, 11 saves and 329 strikeouts in 438 and two-thirds innings. The righty’s best season came in 2009 with the Brewers when he posted career-best totals in ERA (2.90), innings pitches (83.2) and strikeouts (65) while adding two saves in 78 games.

The 35-year-old has played 16 seasons of professional baseball. He spent the 2015 season with Diablos Rojos del Mexico in the Mexican League, pitching in 11 games and going 2-0. One year prior, the North Carolina native went 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 11 saves in 36 games with Tacoma (AAA, Mariners). In 268 career minor league games (15 starts), he has a 26-19 record with a 3.02 ERA, 55 saves and 379 strikeouts. Coffey was originally drafted by the Reds in the 41st round of the 1998 amateur draft.

Minicozzi joins Long Island with 10 seasons of professional experience. He began the 2015 season with Syracuse (AAA, Nationals) and played in 56 games before joining Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League. There, the 33-year-old compiled a .364 batting average with nine home runs, 24 RBI, 19 runs and eight doubles in 30 games.

The Pennsylvania native was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2014 with the San Francisco Giants. In 97 games combined between Advanced-A San Jose and Triple-A Fresno, he totaled a .306 batting average with 14 homers, 69 RBI, 59 runs and 20 doubles. The East Carolina University alum was selected as both a Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star in 2013 with Double-A Richmond after hitting .309 with 10 homer, 66 RBI, 74 runs and 30 doubles. Minicozzi was originally drafted by the Giants in the 17th round of the 2005 amateur draft.

Dowd comes to the Ducks after spending five seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization. During that time, he totaled a .990 fielding percentage, committing just 20 errors in 262 career games. In addition, he threw out an impressive 44{f7b134541f126dcd33819b5eec9a91dff238b58155023223dba97c27371a7fb5} of baserunners trying to steal. Offensively, the Boston native hit .244 with nine home runs, 91 RBI and 90 runs scored.

The 25-year-old spent the majority of the past three seasons with Double-A Jackson. In 2013, he threw out a career-high 56{f7b134541f126dcd33819b5eec9a91dff238b58155023223dba97c27371a7fb5} of runners attempting to steal a base, and in 2015, he committed a career-low three errors behind the plate. His best offensive season came in 2012 with Single-A Clinton when he batted .294 with two homers, 43 RBI, 28 runs and 15 doubles in 78 games. Dowd was originally drafted by the Mariners in the 12th round of the 2011 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.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 34 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{f7b134541f126dcd33819b5eec9a91dff238b58155023223dba97c27371a7fb5} of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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