The new soon-to-be-named Frederick Atlantic League Professional Baseball (ALPB) Club has added bullpen depth with the signings of three pitchers: Jeff Johnson, Nate Peden and Jack Weinberger, today the team announced.
The Cleveland Indians selected Johnston in the tenth round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Player Draft out of California Polytechnic State. He began his professional pitching career with the Indians organization and reached Triple-AAA Columbus in 2016.
Johnson is a veteran bullpen arm who has complied 89 pro saves in his career.
“We are happy to have Jeff in our bullpen this upcoming season. Jeff was the most consistent arm for the Lexington Legends last season and brings veteran leadership to the backend of our bullpen,” manager Mark Minicozzi said in a press release.
The New York Mets picked Peden in the thirteenth round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Player Draft from the University High School in Orlando, Florida. He appeared in 31 games in three seasons in the Mets organization.
Following the 2020 season, Peden signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and appeared in 17 games with the Carolina Mudcats (High A). He is a versatile pitcher who can either start, go in long relief or climb the bump during the late innings.
His fastball velocity reached 95+ MPH and he has developed into a dependable arm in the Atlantic League.
“We are excited to have Nate in our bullpen. He has the stuff that MLB teams are looking for and has continued to develop as one of the youngest pitchers in the Atlantic League,” Minicozzi remarked.
Weinberger pitched for Springfield College (Mass) and appeared in 30 contests during his collegiate career. He is a side-arm hurler that fires his fastball in the mid 90s.
Weinberger spent last season with the Wild Health Genomes (ALPB) and compiled a 4.30 ERA and finished with four saves. He also represented Team Israel in the latest World Baseball Classic.
“Jack has all the tools to pitch at the next level and last year made huge strides in his development and ability to pitch late in games,” Minicozzi said. “We are excited to have Jack in our Frederick bullpen this season.”
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 