John Brownell is first Ducks player signed for 2016

(Central Islip, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2016) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher John Brownell. The 2015 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year will begin his fifth consecutive season with the Ducks.

“John’s consistent body of work and outstanding success have made him an excellent representative of the Ducks,” says Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “We look forward to having him back this season and are excited to continue building our roster.”

Brownell turned in a marvelous season in 2015, leading the Atlantic League in wins (12), innings pitched (175.2), complete games (4), shutouts (2) and strikeouts (146), the latter being a single-season franchise record. He ended the year with a 12-6 record and a 3.38 ERA, which ranked fifth in the league, in 26 total starts, which was tied for second-most. The Omaha resident became the second player in team history to be named Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year, joining Mike Loree, who earned the distinction in 2011.

In four seasons with Long Island, the 32-year-old has compiled a 36-27 record with a 3.71 ERA, 560 and one-third innings pitched and a franchise-record 424 strikeouts in 85 regular season games (84 starts). He enters 2016 just four wins, 27 innings pitched and seven starts shy of tying Randy Leek for the all-time franchise record in each category. The righty has pitched in the postseason during three of his four seasons as a Duck and won back-to-back Atlantic League championships in 2012 and 2013, earning Championship Series MVP honors in 2013. Brownell was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 27th round of the 2006 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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