Sugar Land Skeeters Pitcher Tim Stauffer Acquired by New York Mets

45th Atlantic League Player Contract Purchased by MLB or International League in 2015

Denver, CO (PRWEB) July 31, 2015

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), the nation's most progressive independent league, announced today that the contract of right hander Tim Stauffer has been acquired by the New York Mets. He becomes the 45th Atlantic League player whose contract has been purchased by MLB or an international organization this year.

Although the ALPB is unaffiliated with big league organizations, the League and MLB work through a unique agreement governing the transfer of player contracts. This spring, the Atlantic League became the first independent league to enter into a relationship with Major League Baseball, formalizing the process under which its players' contracts could be sold.

"The Atlantic League showcases an exceptionally high quality on-field product. This underscores our reputation as a player gateway to the big leagues," said Rick White, President of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. "We are the stepping stone for many talented young players and veterans to advance to the top levels of competition."

Pending a physical examination, Stauffer will be assigned to the Mets AAA affiliate in Las Vegas. Among the recent former Atlantic League players currently in the majors are Houston Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir, 31, who started 14 games in 2012 with the Sugar Land Skeeters before signing with the Cleveland Indians in 2013. During his time with the Skeeters, he rediscovered the pitching mechanics that made him an elite pitcher. On July 24, former York Revolution pitcher Ian Thomas earned a win in his first major league start with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Mets.

"If a player gets cut or fails to make a big league roster, their dream of playing baseball does not have to end," said ALPB Executive Director of Baseball Operations Joe Klein, who spent decades in MLB front offices. "Years ago that may have been the case, but the talent pool these days is immense and it takes some players longer than others to reach their full potential. The Atlantic League's agreement with Major League Baseball enhances players' opportunities to move to the highest level of competition."

For a list of players signed by a Major League or international organization this year, visit
http://atlanticleague.com/about/newswire/index.html?article_id=255.

About The Atlantic League
The Atlantic League is considered the most innovative league in professional baseball, offers the highest level of minor league baseball playing skills, and is a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Its players are highly experienced professionals, having progressed through professional baseball's developmental levels (A, AA, AAA). Over 40% of all Atlantic League players have Major League service time. Like MLB, Atlantic League clubs pay their players to win baseball games, not to apprentice as in baseball's developmental levels. The following teams play in the Atlantic League: Bridgeport Bluefish, Camden Riversharks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Long Island Ducks, Somerset Patriots, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters, and York Revolution.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/08/prweb12879872.htm