By Jerry Del Priore
The Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic league signed former New York Mets outfielder Matt den Dekker to a contract, the team announced today.
Den Dekker spent parts of three season (2013-14, 2018) with New York. Last year, the 31-year-old played eight games with the Mets but spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. In 87 contests with the 51s, he posted a .278 batting average with 14 homers, 44 RBI, 52 runs, 19 doubles, five triples and eight stolen bases.
The six-foot-two 210-pounder also suited up for the Washington Nationals (2015-16) and Detroit Tigers (2017) during his major-league run. He combined to appear in 166 MLB games, totaling seven home runs, 30 RBI, 46 runs, 82 hits, 19 doubles and 12 stolen bases.
Defensively, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native committed just two errors over 129 games played in the outfield, accruing a .990 fielding percentage.
The University of Florida grad has played in 881 minor league tilts during his pro career, hitting at a .271 clip with 86 long balls, 401 RBI, 487 runs, 806 hits, 181 doubles, 42 triples and 112 stolen bases.
New York originally selected Den Dekker in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB amateur draft.
With the inking of den Decker, the Ducks now have two former New York players roaming their outfield, with Kirk Nieuwenhuis joining the Flock last week. Plus, Wally Backman as their manager and Ed Lynch as their pitching coach.
Moreover, Long Island’s outfield consist of all ex-MLB players, with Lew Ford (Minnesota Twins, 2003-07, Baltimore Orioles, 2012) and David Washington (Orioles, 2017) making up the other half.
The Ducks quack off their season against host York Revolution Friday, April 26th at 6:30 p.m.
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