The Long Island Ducks have re-signed catcher/infielder Joe DeCarlo after coming off a wonderful 2022 season in which he put up career-highs in batting average (.295), on-base percentage (.390), hits (117), RBI (56), runs (66), doubles (24) and at-bats (397) with the Flock in 2022, today the team announced via Twitter.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Long Island to play with the Ducks,” said DeCarlo, who starts his second season with the Ducks and 11th in professional baseball, on LIDucks.com. “I’m excited for the start of the season.”
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound DeCarlo added seven home runs, three triples and an .813 OPS.
DeCarlo, a Pennsylvanian, played in the Chicago White Sox organization during the 2021 season, combining to appear in 54 games with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
The 29-year-old spent the first eight campaigns of his career (2012-19) in the Seattle Mariners organization, reaching as high as Double-A Arkansas. The former second round 2012 MLB Draft selection of the Mariners clubbed 10 or more homers in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17, including a career-high 14 in 2016 with Single-A Bakersfield.
Moreover, the Garnet Vallet High School alum said he cannot wait to hit the diamond again with Long Island and suit up for manager and former Met legend Wally Backman, while hopefully remaining healthy throughout the baseball year.
“I enjoyed playing for Wally [Backman] last year and grinding on the field with my teammates,” DeCarlo added. “My goals for this year are to win more games in the league and stay healthy throughout the season.”
The Ducks open up the 2023 Atlantic League season on the road against the High Point Rockers on Friday April 28th at 6:35 p.m.
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 