The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have acquired the Atlantic League rights to right-handed pitchers David Carpenter and Cory Riordan, along with the rights to 10-year Major League infielder Alberto Callaspo, through the 2017 Bridgeport Bluefish Dispersal Draft Wednesday morning. 
RHP David Carpenter recently concluded his second year with the Bluefish. After posting a 3.28 ERA over 36 relief appearances in 2016, the five-year big leaguer recorded 30 saves with a 1.91 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 37.2 innings last year en route to an All-Star Game selection. His 30 saves led the Atlantic League at the time his contract was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in late July. Carpenter made 10 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A to end his 2017 campaign. He owns a 3.66 ERA with four saves over 218 appearances at the Major League level with Houston, Toronto, Atlanta, New York (AL) and Washington.
RHP Cory Riordan was also selected to represent the Bluefish in the 2017 midsummer classic at TD Bank Ballpark. The former sixth-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies went 7-3 with a 3.29 ERA and 88 strikeouts against just 11 walks over 93 innings last year. He made 14 starts for Bridgeport before his contract was purchased by the Fubon Guardians (CPBL) after the All-Star Game. Riordan spent the first seven years of his professional career in the Rockies organization, including stints at the Triple-A level in 2011-13. The Fordham University alumnus also made five starts for Triple-A Toledo in the Detriot Tigers organization in 2016.
Both Carpenter and Riordan pitched an inning at TD Bank Ballpark in the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game.
Despite only playing in 34 games with the Bluefish last year, infielder Alberto Callaspo hit .344 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 22 runs scored. His contract was purchased by Laguna (Mexican League) on May 25th, where he then finished his 2017 season by hitting .301 with with three home runs and 33 RBI over 58 games. Callaspo has 10 years of service in the Majors with six different teams (Arizona, Kansas City, Los Angeles (AL), Oakland, Atlanta and Los Angeles (NL)). Over that time, the Venezuela native his .265 with 52 home runs and 369 RBI while splitting time in the field primarily between second base and third base.
The Patriots acquired the rights to Carpenter, Riordan and Callaspo through the Bridgeport Bluefish Dispersal Draft. Each team had the opportunity to select players whose rights’ were previously controlled by Bridgeport. Somerset owned the sixth pick in each round and passed on opportunities to further draft players after the third round. While not officially on the roster, Somerset now has the exclusive opportunity amongst the other Atlantic League franchises to negotiate and sign these players.
The Somerset Patriots recently completed their 20th Season Anniversary in which they led the Atlantic League in attendance and made their 14th appearance in the playoffs. The Somerset Patriots will welcome their 7,000,000th fan in their 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in 2018. The schedule for 2018 has officially been released. For more information about the 2018 season, please visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 37 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
