(Bridgewater, N.J., Jan. 23, 2017) - The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of outfielder Carlos Guzman and the signing of right-handed pitcher Seth Webster for the 2017 season.
“I’m excited to come back and bring a championship back to the Patriots,” said Guzman. “I’m giving it all I have this season and leaving it all out there because I feel that I’m going to retire after this year. I truly do love this organization; from top to bottom they are first class. I am proud to go out a Somerset Patriot. I dedicate all my time to the love of my life, my daughter, Shiloh.”
Guzman enters his second season with the Somerset Patriots and fourth in the Atlantic League. Guzman hit .264 with the Patriots last year, and finished second on the team in doubles (21) and home runs (12). Additionally, he ranked fourth on the team in RBI (58), hits (108), at-bats (409) and games played (111) along with fifth in stolen bases (11).
He previously played briefly for the York Revolution and the Road Warriors in 2011 before spending all of 2015 with the Camden Riversharks.
The Brooklyn, New York native played in 135 games with the Riversharks in 2015 (second-most in the league). He ranked third in the league in RBI (76), seventh in stolen bases (23), eighth in hits (140) and ninth in batting average (.276). He also tallied 10 home runs, 27 doubles and led the league among right fielders in outfield assists (10).
Guzman spent the first five years of his professional career in the New York Mets organization, reaching as high as Double-A Binghamton from 2009-2011. He spent the next three seasons in the Can-Am league, including a year with the New Jersey Jackals (2012) and a year with the Newark Bears (2013).
“Carlos had a great season for us last year and I think he is prepared for an even better effort in 2017,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “He brings a lot of versatility and athletic ability to our defense. Guzman is also a presence in our lineup as he can be a very tough out when he gets comfortable. I think we will see a determined Carlos Guzman this year; one who is ready to help the Patriots in a quest for a championship.”
The switch-hitter owns a .268 batting average with 74 home runs, 440 RBI, 153 doubles, and 75 stolen bases over his 10-year career.
Webster enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 6’5” righty spent parts of his first four professional seasons with the Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League). Over his four seasons there, Webster went 22-15 in 51 starts with a combined 3.28 ERA.
“I have done a lot of research and I am super excited about joining the Somerset Patriots,” said Webster. “Everyone knows that the Atlantic League is a top league out there, and now I believe I will be on the best team in the best league. I look forward to coming in and helping the team win a championship.”
In 2015, Webster made one start for the Boomers before the Atlanta Braves purchased his contract. The Alexandria, Louisiana native went on to go 8-7 with a 2.82 ERA with High-A Carolina that season. Additionally, Webster yielded just eight total walks in 130.2 innings of work that season and was later named a 2015 Atlanta Braves organizational all-star.
“We are very happy to have Seth join the Somerset Patriots organization,” said manager Brett Jodie. “Seth is a big, tall righty that is a true competitor. He has thrived in the opportunities he has been given, and we look forward to giving him a new challenge.”
Webster’s calling card over his career has been his low walk ratios. The side-armer has never walked more than 24 batters in a full season, and owns a career 1.3 BB/9 (walk-per-nine innings) ratio. Last year in Schaumburg, Webster walked just 20 batters and finished third in the league in strikeouts (108) and innings pitched (126.2).
The Nicholls State University alumnus owns a career 30-23 record with a 3.23 ERA, 356 strikeouts and just 68 walks over 462.1 innings pitched.
Webster’s rights were acquired by the Somerset Patriots in a trade with the Boomers earlier in the off-season for future considerations.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary and the Atlantic League All-Star Game at TD Bank Ballpark, are on sale now. For more information, stop by TD Bank Ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or 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 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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