Trio of Hurlers Added to 'Fish Tank

March 14, 2014 - Atlantic League (AtL) Bridgeport Bluefish (Bridgeport, Conn. - March 14, 2014 ) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of pitchers Kanekoa Texeira, Jesse English, and Keith Bilodeau. Texeira and Bilodeau both return for their second tour in the Park City, while English enters his third year in Bridgeport.

"Kanekoa, Jesse, and Keith are all welcome additions to our club," says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. "They were important members of our pitching staff last season and we look forward to their contributions once again."

Texeira returns to Bridgeport for his second year in the Atlantic League and ninth of professional baseball. Last year, he started the season with the Bluefish, appearing in 28 games out of the bullpen with a 3-2 record and a 3.18 ERA. Kanekoa was then signed by the Cincinnati Reds and finished the 2013 campaign with Triple-A Louisville, where he appeared in 16 games (two starts) with a 2.42 ERA. He finished the season a combined 3-2 with a 2.85 ERA and only 18 walks in 60 innings. In 2012, he played the entire year at Triple-A Louisville, as the former Major Leaguer appeared in 34 games, posting a 2.72 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 56.1 innings of work. The 28-year-old has spent his professional career with the White Sox, Yankees, Mariners, Royals and Reds affiliates, reaching the Majors in 2010 with Seattle and Kansas City, respectively and then again with the Royals the following season. In the big leagues, the right hander owns a 4.66 ERA in 49 games. His best professional season came with Single-A Winston-Salem in 2008, where he went 3-1 with a 0.93 ERA finishing 33 of the 36 games he came into and saving 20 of those. In 259 career minor league games, Texeira owns a 24-21 record with a 3.07 ERA and 46 saves.

English, an 11-year professional, started the 2013 campaign in Mexico with Reynosa of the Mexican League. The lefty appeared in 25 games from the bullpen going 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA. Jesse then came to the Park City and pitched in 23 games from the pen going 0-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched. He went a combined 3-3 in 48 games with a 2.97 ERA in 2013. He spent the 2012 season with the Bluefish, appearing in 42 games in relief. He went 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA over the course of 54.1 innings of work. The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the 2002 amateur draft. He spent seven seasons in the Giants organization before being claimed off of waivers by the Washington Nationals in 2010. After a strong showing with Triple-A Syracuse, the California-native got the call and made his Major League debut with the Nationals later that year. He made seven appearances and recorded a 3.86 ERA in seven innings of work with the big club. In 240 career minor league appearances, English owns a 40-23 record with a 3.77 ERA and 580 strikeouts in 542 innings of work.

Bilodeau will return to the Park City for his second season in the Atlantic League and fourth of professional baseball. Last year, in his first year with the Bluefish, he made his first career professional start (12 total) and pitched his first career complete game. Keith appeared in 16 games going 1-4 with a 4.42 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. In 2012 he was a member of the San Francisco Giants Organization. Over the course of 41 appearances in Single-A between Low-A Salem-Keizer and Augusta, the right-hander posted a 2-2 record with a 5.45 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 63.1 innings pitched. The 24-year-old was a 24th round draft pick of the Giants out of the University of Maine in 2011. In 65 career minor league games (12 starts), Bilodeau owns a 4-6 record with a 4.48 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 154.2 innings of work.

The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.

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Trio of Hurlers Added to 'Fish Tank