VERSATILE VETERAN JOINS YOUNGER BROTHER AUDY IN SUSSEX COUNTY

Augusta, NJ – The 2018 Can-Am League Champion Sussex County Miners announce the signing of former Major League infielder Pedro Ciriaco. The 33-year-old veteran brings six years of Major League Baseball experience and 14 years of professional baseball experience overall to the Miners. Pedro is also the older brother of infielder of Audy Ciriaco who was a key contributor during the Miners’ championship run last season. During the Can-Am League Playoffs, Audy batted .432 (16-37) with three doubles, nine runs scored, and nine RBIs.

“Anytime you get a chance to sign a former Major Leaguer, it’s a great thing. Pedro is a class guy and I think he will be a good influence in the clubhouse,” Miners manager Bobby Jones said. “I like interchangeable pieces and he can definitely move around defensively. The family dynamic is also huge. He and Audy have never played together and now our team will have a big league big brother.”

A native of San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic, Pedro played in the Major Leagues for five seasons including stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves. During this run, he logged a career .268 batting average, five home runs, and 51 RBIs. Known for his versatility and defense, Pedro has experience at third base, shortstop, second base, and all three outfield positions.

Pedro’s best season in the majors came in 2012 when the Boston Chapter of the BBWAA (Baseball Writers’ Association of America) named him the Red Sox Unsung Hero. In his first 35 games between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Red Sox, he logged a .418 batting average (23-55) from September 8, 2010-July 13, 2012. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this is the 2nd best ever batting average in a player’s first 35 big league games (min. 50 at-bats). His sizzling hot start is only behind John Kroner who hit .422 (43-102) for the Red Sox from 1935-36. Overall he hit .293 (76-259) with two homers, 19 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Pedro as an international free agent on February 28, 2003. While in the Diamondbacks system, Baseball America ranked him as one of the organization’s top 30 prospects (peaking at #14 after the 2008 season) and also rated him for having the Best Infield Arm from 2006-2009. He was also recognized as the Diamondback system’s Best Defensive Infielder in 2008 and in the Pittsburgh Pirates chain from 2010-2011. The Bucs acquired him and catcher Chris Snyder in a 5-player trade for RHP D.J. Carrasco, OF Ryan Church and SS Bobby Crosby on July 31, 2010 and he made his Major League debut on September 7th. Following the 2015 season with the Atlanta Braves, Pedro played in the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers organizations. In addition, he spent the 2017 season in the Mexican League splitting time between the Tigres de Quintana Roo and the Vaqueros Union Laguna.

Photo: J. Meric/Boston Red Sox