Ducks sign Josh Barfield

(Central Islip, N.Y., Mar. 6, 2013) – The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of infielder Josh Barfield. Entering his first season with the Ducks and in the Atlantic League, Barfield is the first MLB veteran signed by the Ducks for 2013.

“Josh’s experience and versatility in the Major Leagues will be valuable to our ballclub,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “He is excited to be part of the Atlantic League, as we are to have him.”

Barfield played four seasons at the Major League level (2006-2009), spending time with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians. He has a .264 career average in 309 big league games with 16 home runs, 112 RBI and 53 doubles. The Venezuela native was twice selected as the Padres’ number one prospect by Baseball America (2004-2005) and made his Major League debut on April 3, 2006, earning his first big league hit on a single off Giants’ pitcher Jason Schmidt.

The son of former Major League outfielder Jesse Barfield, Josh has played 12 seasons of professional baseball. He split time in 2012 with Bowie (AA, Orioles) and Norfolk (AAA, Orioles), combining for 30 RBI, 41 runs and 19 doubles in 84 games. The 30-year-old’s best minor league season came in 2003 with Lake Elsinore (A+, Padres) when he was named California League MVP after posting a .337 batting average and leading the league in RBI (128), hits (185) and doubles (46). Barfield was originally drafted by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2001 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. Opening Day is April 26. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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