Knuckleballer is sixth Duck to be signed in 2015

(Central Islip, N.Y., July 1, 2015) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced that right-handed pitcher Mickey Jannis has been signed by the New York Mets organization. He will report to the team’s High-A affiliate in Port St. Lucie, Fla. and is the Ducks’ sixth 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). He also becomes the 76th Ducks player signed by MLB all-time.

“Mickey has been a true professional and one of the best starting pitchers in the Atlantic League this season,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “While he will certainly be missed on Long Island, we wish him the best of luck with the Mets organization.”

Jannis departs as the current league leader in earned run average (1.18), strikeouts (67) and innings pitched (83.2) for 2015. In addition, he is tied for third in the league with six wins and has just two losses. The knuckleballer has made 16 appearances (11 starts) overall with the Ducks and has allowed just 17 runs (11 earned) on 53 hits and 26 walks. In addition, opponents have a miniscule .182 batting average against him.

The Nevada native has yielded just one earned run or less in each of his last 13 games (eight starts). In that span, he has a 0.80 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 67 and one-third innings of work. The 27-year-old spent the first two seasons of his career in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, reaching High-A Charlotte of the Florida State League in 2011. In those two years, he compiled a 7-4 record with a 3.00 ERA, five saves and 74 strikeouts in 34 games (two starts). Jannis was originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the 44th round of the 2010 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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