The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced the signing of infielder Brian Barden and the return of outfielder Mike Wilson and left-handed pitcher Matt Maloney.
Barden has 119 games of Major League experience with the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, and Miami Marlins organization. He last played in the Majors for the Marlins in 2010.
In addition to his Major League time, Barden has ten seasons of Triple-A experience. He began the 2014 season in Mexico, where he split time between Campeche and Yucatan and finished with a .336 batting average, 42 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 19 RBI in 34 games between the two teams.
Barden spent the 2013 season in Albuquerque, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and had a .277 batting average, 115 hits, 22 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 56 RBI in 123 games.
He has a minor league career .298 batting average, 1,220 hits, 262 doubles, 38 triples, 87 home runs, and 600 RBI in 1,103 games played.
Wilson played for the Patriots to start the 2013 season before having his contract purchased by the San Diego Padres organization. For Somerset, Wilson hit .325 with 27 hits, five doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI in 23 games played.
He reported to Tucson, San Diego’s Triple-A affiliate, and finished with a .291 batting average, 64 hits, 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 42 RBI in 76 games played.
Wilson appeared in eight games for the Seattle Mariners during the 2011 season. In addition, he has six seasons of Triple-A experience.
He hit 27 home runs and drove in 84 runs at Double-A during the 2008 season.
Wilson has a minor league career .268 average, 985 hits, 207 doubles, 19 triples, 170 home runs, and 638 RBI in 1,046 games played.
Wilson began the 2014 season in Triple-A for Cincinnati and appeared in 29 games before joining the Somerset Patriots.
Maloney began the 2014 season in Somerset before signing with the Reds and reporting to Triple-A Louisville.
Maloney was 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched in five games started for Somerset this season.
Maloney has Major League experience with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He appeared in 22 games with the Reds from 2009-2011 and spent nine games with the Twins during 2012.
Maloney has a Major League career 5-9 record, a 5.74 ERA, and 59 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched in 31 games.
He was originally drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he reached the Double-A level. In addition to his Major League experience with the Reds and Twins, Maloney also has six seasons of Triple-A experience for the organizations, as well as time with the Boston Red Sox minor league system.
Maloney has a minor league career 72-50 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 871 strikeouts in 970.1 innings pitched in 181 games.
Barden and Wilson have been activated for Wednesday night’s game against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Maloney is expected to be activated later this week. To make room for the moves, the Somerset Patriots have released infielder/outfielder Robbie Widlansky.
