Bridgeport Bluefish
After 1 and a-half outstanding seasons in the Atlantic League, Charlton Jimerson is back in organized baseball, this time with the Angles.
Jimerson appeared in 48 games for the Bluefish in 2010, posting a .346 batting average with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 182 at-bats. He led all Bridgeport batters with a .426 on-base percentage and a .626 slugging percentage. Last year, the 30-year-old slugger made his Atlantic League debut with the Newark Bears, where he developed into one of the league’s most potent hitters in the league, winning the Atlantic League batting title with a .335 average. The slugger also pounded 21 home runs, drove in 62 runs and stole 38 bases in 103 games.
Jimerson made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 2006 following six seasons in the minors. The California-native etched a permanent place for himself in the record books when he slugged a home run on the first pitch he saw in the big leagues against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 4, 2006. He finished that season with a .333 batting average over 17 games. He joined the Seattle Mariners the following year where he played in 2007 and 2008. Overall, Jimerson has appeared in 30 career MLB games and owns a .444 batting average.
Last month, he was named the Atlantic League’s Player of the Month. Joining Jimerson in the June spotlight was teammate Pat Ryan, who earned the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month honors. Ironically, both are now gone. Ryan was plucked by the Boston Red Sox organization last week.
“Charlton has worked tremendously hard to get back to this level,” said Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. “He was an exemplary teammate both on and off the field and we wish him the best of luck.:”
On the “good news” side of the ledger, the ’Fish have added pitcher Paul Oseguera to the roster. The southpaw returns to the South End of Bridgeprt after being picked up by the Oakland Athletics organization on May 29.
Oseguera started six games for the Bluefish in 2010, posting a 3-2 record. He quickly became one of the Atlantic Leagues top hurlers, leading the league with two complete games and ranking second in strikeouts (33), third in wins (three), fourth in innings pitched (42.0), and sixth in ERA (2.36) at the time of his signing. The 26-year-old made his professional debut in 2006 with Single-A Salem-Kaizer of the Northwest League. He spent four seasons in the Giants organization, reaching as high as Double-A in 2008 with the Connecticut Defenders. In 90 career minor league appearances (60 starts), the California native owns a 3.56 ERA with a 26-19 record and 371 strikeouts in 409.2 innings pitched.
The ’Fish are 7-3 to start the second half, one game ahead of second-place Souther Maryland. After winning their first two series of the second half on the road in Newark and Long Island Bluefish return home to open a seven-game homestand on Monday night when they entertain the Lancaster Barnstormers. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. For more information, call 203-345-4800 or visit www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
