The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League announced that former Bluefish first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke has been signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is the second Bluefish player to be signed by a major league team within the last month with former outfielder Bobby Malek joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in late November.
Hoorelbeke joined the Bluefish at the beginning of the 2007 season and turned it into a career and record-breaking year. He finished the year hitting .313 in 117 games while his 33 homers and 96 RBIs broke Bluefish single-season records and also set a personal high with 86 runs scored. The previous home run record was 26 set by Kinnis Pledger in 1998 and tied by Oreste Marrero in 2002, while the previous RBI record was 93 set by Jose Amado in 2004. For his accomplishments Jesse tied for Atlantic League Player of the Year along with Victor Rodriguez of the Newark Bears. He also started at first base for the 2007 Atlantic League North Division All-Star Team.
Hoorelbeke’s best stretch came in July when he was named Atlantic League Player of the Month. Hitting at a .366 clip, Jesse mashed out 13 home runs and 27 RBIs in 28 games, good for a .802 slugging percentage.
“I’m definitely excited,” Hoorelbeke said. “It’s nice to know that before another season even starts that I already have an opportunity somewhere and that they noticed me playing in the Atlantic League. I think I’m definitely ready to make that jump up and play Triple-A or major league ball.”
Jesse has bounced around throughout the minor leagues for the past few seasons before landing in Bridgeport in 2007. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Dodgers in 2002 and played in their minor league system until he was released after the 2004 season. He also played in the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs minor league systems in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Mary-Jane Foster, CEO of the Bluefish said, “We are thrilled for Jesse that this opportunity with the Angels has presented itself. He worked hard last season and the results were there for everyone to see. We wish him every success.”
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. 2008 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
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