The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots today announced the signing of Major League catcher Mike Ohlman for the 2019 season.
“I’m committed 100% to helping the Patriots win,” said Ohlman. “I like to put everything forward wherever I am in to put my team in the best position to win. I am here to win a championship.” 
Ohlman enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 6’5” backstop made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on May 9, 2017. He appeared in seven games with the Blue Jays that season, going 3-for-13 from the plate with an RBI and one run scored. His first hit and RBI both came off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bartolo Colon on May 15, 2017.
The Bradenton, Florida native has spent the majority of his time over the last three seasons at the Triple-A level; each with a different organization. Ohlman combined to hit .287 with seven home runs and 44 RBI over 78 games between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization in 2016.
The following year, sandwiched around a call-up to Toronto, he slugged 12 home runs with 38 RBI over 90 games for Triple-A Buffalo. Ohlman most recently hit 10 home runs with 28 RBI in 69 games with Triple-A Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox) in 2018.
“It is always important to add veterans with a lot of experience to our team,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie, “and we have done that with Mike Ohlman. Mike brings much-needed experience to a very important position. He not only knows how to handle a staff, but will also contribute in a huge way at the plate. Mike is an RBI producer with good power. We feel great about having two outstanding catchers this year in Ohlman and Yovan Gonzalez.”
Ohlman was selected in the 11th round of the 2009 MLB draft out of Lakewood Ranch High School (Bradenton, Florida) by the Baltimore Orioles. He spent the first six years of his professional career as an Orioles farmhand, including an impressive 2013 with High-A Frederick in which he set career-highs with a .313 batting average, 13 home runs, .410 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage. Ohlman was named the 2013 Topps Player of the Year in the Carolina League for his efforts.
The 28 year-old has twice been named an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star (Baltimore, 2013 and St. Louis, 2015), Post-Season All-Star (Frederick, 2013 and Springfield, 2015) and Mid-Season All-Star (Delmarva, 2011 and Springfield, 2015).
Ohlman has hit .251 with 65 home runs and 385 RBI over his 10-year professional career.
The Somerset Patriots will be back in action on Friday, April 26th for Opening Day at TD Bank Ballpark. Stay up to date on all the team news throughout the offseason online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. For more information, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
