McCoy, Gonzalez and Pinckney join Flock
(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of pitchers Chris McCoy and Jino Gonzalez along with infielder Brandon Pinckney. McCoy begins his fifth season with the Ducks, while Gonzalez and Pinckney play their first year on Long Island.
“We are excited to add all three players to our roster,” says Ducks manager Kevin Baez. “As we continue towards our championship goal, we’re confident that each can help us achieve our mission.”
McCoy has spent each of the last two seasons with the Ducks. In 2011, he 3-1 with a 4.42 ERA and two saves in 25 games (three starts). The righty was 3-0 with a 4.64 ERA in 2010 with Long Island, pitching 19 games (one start). A native of Lake Grove, McCoy was a member of the Ducks during their inaugural year of 2000 as well as 2001. In four seasons on Long Island, he has a record of 18-15 with a 4.62 ERA in 133 games.
Gonzalez was member of the York Revolution when they won the 2011 Atlantic League championship. In four starts during the regular season, the southpaw went 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA and 25 strikeouts to just four walks. He also spent time last year with Lake County of the North American League and Lincoln of the American Association. In 15 games (14 starts), he combined to go 7-1 with a 2.02 ERA, striking out 64 batters and walking just 19.
The 29-year-old played the first six seasons of his career in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, reaching as high as Double-A Montgomery in 2008. A native of Las Vegas, he has a career record of 50-49 with a 4.34 ERA and 625 strikeouts in 218 games (121 starts). Gonzalez was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 46th round of the 2002 amateur draft.
Pinckney joins the Ducks after splitting time this season with the Worcester Tornadoes and Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League. He combined to hit .333, good for second in the league, with four homers, 37 RBI and 17 doubles in 74 games. A year ago, he played 94 games with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, hitting .293 with four homers, 30 RBI and 19 doubles, earning Atlantic League All-Star Honors.
The 30-year-old has spent time in the Indians, Orioles, Athletics and Phillies organizations during his 10-year career, reaching the Triple-A level in 2005 and 2009. In 2006 with Single-A Kinston and Double-A Akron, the Sacramento native posted career highs in home runs (seven), RBI (68), runs (70), doubles (32) and games played (118). He has a career average of .289 in nearly 900 games played with 37 homers, 366 RBI, 446 runs and 175 doubles. Pinckney was originally drafted by the Indians in the 12th round of the 2003 amateur draft.
In corresponding roster moves, the Ducks released outfielder Matt Fleishman and pitcher Chris Flinn and placed pitcher Nick Singleton on the inactive list.
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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