Sing, Zimmermann, and Lyman signed for 2012
(Central Islip, N.Y., Mar. 13, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of infielder Brandon Sing and pitchers Bob Zimmermann and Jeff Lyman. Zimmermann returns for his second season with the Flock and fourth in the Atlantic League while Sing and Lyman begin their first year on Long Island.
“Brandon adds a power bat to our lineup while Bob and Jeff bring power arms to our staff,” says Ducks president/general manager Michael Pfaff. “All three are welcome additions to our roster.”
In the last four seasons, Sing has more home runs (98) and RBI (323) than any other player in independent baseball. During that time, he has averaged 24 home runs, 80 RBI, 29 doubles, and a .300 batting average. In 2011, the 31-year-old led the American Association with 24 home runs while finishing fourth in slugging percentage (.592) and fifth in OPS (1.026) as a member of the Sioux Falls Pheasants. The previous year, he set American Association records in home runs (27) and slugging percentage (.702) while with Sioux Falls.
The Illinois native begins his 14th season of professional baseball in 2012 and has spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles organizations. His best season came in 2004 with the Single-A Daytona Cubs where he led the Florida State League in home runs (32), RBI (94), runs (86), on-base percentage (.399), slugging percentage (.571) and walks (88), earning league MVP honors. Sing was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 20th round of the 1999 amateur draft.
Zimmermann was signed by the Ducks in June of 2011, and he went 2-2 with a 4.41 ERA in 31 games (five starts) during the regular season. The right-hander also went 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in two playoff games, striking out 11 batters in 11 innings of work, and earned the win in Game Three of the Liberty Division Championship Series.
The 30-year-old has nine seasons of professional baseball experience. Prior to joining the Ducks, he spent the 2009 season with the York Revolution and split the 2010 campaign with York and the Newark Bears. A native of St. Louis, he has pitched with five Major League organizations (Angels, Rockies, Yankees, Dodgers, and Cardinals), reaching as high as Double-A. In 301 career games (51 starts), he has a 37-36 record with a 4.35 ERA, 55 saves, and 503 strikeouts. Zimmermann was originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2003 amateur draft.
Lyman will make his Ducks debut in his eighth season of professional baseball. He has spent time in three Major League organizations (Braves, Athletics, and Cardinals), reaching as high as Triple-A. His best season came in 2009 when he posted a 3.12 ERA in 33 games (eight starts) with Double-A Mississippi, earning a promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The 25-year-old spent time in both the Cardinals and Athletics organizations last season, reaching as high as Double-A. He combined to post a 2-0 record in 35 games and struck out 39 batters in 47 and two-thirds innings. The San Francisco native was originally drafted by the Braves in the second round of the 2005 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 May 4. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
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