Four Players Return to Dutchmen for 2019 Season

By: Christian De Guzman

ALBANY, N.Y. – Four players from last year’s Albany roster will don their Dutchmen uniforms once again for the 2019 PGCBL season. Infielder Justin Wright (St. John’s) is set to rejoin pitchers Nick Bird (Albany), Nick Grabek (Fairfield) and James Rubino (Hudson Valley CC) at Connors Park this summer.

Wright played in 28 games last season for the Dutchmen, posting a .212 batting average with seven RBIs. In 2018, Wright was named the number three third base recruit from Pennsylvania by Perfect Game. He is currently in his freshman season at St. John’s University and is redshirting this year due to injury.

“Justin is someone I’m really looking to getting back for another summer,” said Dutchmen Head Coach Nick Davey. “I’m excited to see the progression he’s made from last summer. Justin started to play his best baseball as the summer ended. As he gets healthy, Justin’s gonna be a guy we lean on heavily to lead this team.”

Bird featured in 14 games out of the bullpen for the Dutchmen in 2018. He threw in 15 innings, recorded a 4.20 ERA, struck out 13 batters, and earned three saves. Bird is a redshirt junior at the University at Albany and has appeared in two games so far in 2019. He has pitched in 2.1 innings and struck out two batters.

“Nick will be used in a much heavier role this year at Albany,” said Davey. “He’s someone I know I can count on in the back end of games.”

Grabek pitched in 12 games from the bullpen for the Dutchmen in 2018. He threw 24.2 innings, posting a 5.10 ERA, striking out 27 batters, and recording two saves. Grabek is a sophomore at Fairfield University and has pitched in six games so far for the Stags. He has thrown 10 innings, compiling a 2.70 ERA with 11 strikeouts. Grabek has also recorded three saves for Fairfield.

“Nick will get quality innings for Fairfield this year,” said Davey. “He’s someone I look at to be in our starting rotation this summer.”

Rubino appeared in nine games for the Dutchmen last season, starting in one game. He threw 18.2 innings, posted a 4.82 ERA with 16 strikeouts. Rubino is a sophomore at Hudson Valley CC.

“James will be a top of rotation guy for Hudson Valley CC this spring,” said Davey. “He’s someone that will be very valuable for us this summer because of his versatility to start or come out of the bullpen.”

Albany starts the 2019 PGCBL season on the road Friday, May 31st at 7:05 p.m. against the Saugerties Stallions. The first home game for the Dutchmen is on Saturday, June 1st at 5:05 p.m. against the Glens Falls Dragons. For ticket information and more, visit dutchmenbaseball.com.

 



Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

March 2024
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
January 2022
July 2021
June 2021
March 2021
May 2020
March 2020
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
November 2018
October 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
February 2017
January 2017
November 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
October 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
Ignite Business Solutions