atlanticleague.com

Ducks announce first player signing for 2017 season

(Central Islip, N.Y., Jan. 30, 2017) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of infielder Cody Puckett. He begins his fourth season with the Ducks and in the Atlantic League.

“Cody has been a big reason for our success over the past three seasons, both at the plate and in the infield,” says Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “We are happy to bring him back for another year and look forward to building our roster for this upcoming season.”

Puckett played 120 games for the Ducks in 2016 and compiled a .272 batting average with nine home runs, 73 RBI, 20 doubles and 121 hits. He was especially potent at the friendly confines of Bethpage Ballpark, batting .323 with team-leading totals of eight homers and 46 RBI. The 29-year-old also came through in the clutch, hitting .371 with runners in scoring position and .455 with the bases loaded in 2016. His efforts helped lead the Ducks to their fourth Atlantic League Championship Series appearance in the past six years and fifth all-time.

The California native earned an Atlantic League All-Star Game selection and Post-Season All-Star honors in 2015. He ranked second in the league with 535 at bats and 135 games played, third with 147 hits and 10th with a .275 batting average. The Cal State Dominguez Hills alumnus was a Second Team Post-Season All-Star in 2014, finishing second in the league in games (138) and at bats (568) as well as third in hits (169). In three seasons with the Flock, Puckett has totaled a .282 batting average, 28 home runs, 203 RBI, 193 runs and 60 doubles over 393 games.

Prior to joining Long Island, the infielder spent five seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization and one in the Chicago White Sox organization. He reached the Triple-A level with both teams and amassed 94 home runs, 340 RBI and 146 doubles in 646 games during those six seasons. Puckett was originally drafted by the Reds in the eighth round of the 2008 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.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 36 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.

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