Atlantic League, New York Met Infielders

Carlos Baerga Autographed 2009 10th-Anniversary Choice Card Set
Edgardo Alfonzo Autographed 2009 10th-Anniversary Choice Card Set

Switch-hitting infielder Carlos Baerga made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 10, 1990. The Puerto Rican native became the first second baseman since Rogers Hornsby to have back-to-back 200 hit, 20 HR, 100 RBI and .300 average seasons (1992 & 1993). Baerga was a key player in helping the 1995 Cleveland Indians achieve the American League Championship. The three-time All Star (1992-94) joined the roster of the 2001 Long Island Ducks and leveraged the league to return to the big leagues for four more seasons (2002-05). Baerga was named to the Long Island Ducks 10th Anniversary Team.

2000 National League All-Star Edgardo Alfonzo ranks fifth on the New York Mets All-Time Leader Board in hits (1,136) and seventh in RBI’s (538). After 12 years in the Major Leagues, the sure-handed second baseman made three stops within the Atlantic League joining Bridgeport in 2006, Long Island in 2007, and Newark in 2010.  Alfonzo was named to the Long Island Ducks 10th Anniversary Team.

Aaron Herr - 2010 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2010 Lancaster Barnstormers Team Set #8 (MVP Card)
2011 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set # 8

Drafted in the 1^st round of the 2000 June Amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves, Aaron Herr achieved 3 years at the Triple-A level with the Cleveland and mostly Cincinnati organizations, whom the latter released the infielder after a severe groin injury in 2008.

Herr returned to his home town where he attended high school; signing with the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2009. Herr’s St. Louis Cardinal, All Star, second baseman father, Tommy Herr, was serving as the club’s field manager at the time.

Herr dominated the Atlantic League the next year, hitting .321 with 163 hits, and slugging .526 with 103 RBI’s, earning the co-honor of the 2010 Atlantic League Player of the Year with York’s Scott Grimes.  His home run mark of 23 round trippers was good enough to lead the Atlantic League that year; as was his 103 RBI's. Herr came within 18 points in batting average in that year of 2010 to be able to claim an Atlantic League triple crown.

Chris Schwinden - 2014 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year

Autographed 2014 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #21 (Pitcher of Year Card)

Having reached the Major League level with the New York Mets in 2011, and their starting rotation in 2012, right-handed pitcher Chris Schwinden pitched only one year in the Atlantic League but made it count.

Serving as the anchor to the Lancaster Barnstormers’ pitching staff in 2014, the Visalia, California native finished the regular season 14-5 with a 2.56 ERA.

Schwinden’s impressive season carried over well into the Atlantic League postseason. After earning the win in the opening game of the Playoff Series, he additionally allowed only 1 earned run in 9 innings of work in the decisive 5^th game against a very strong Somerset Patriots team earning his second win of the playoffs and propelling Lancaster into the Championship Series.

Schwinden followed up his playoff performance by pitching 7 innings against Sugar Land in the Championship Series capping off a sweep for Lancaster -- 3 games to none. His combined stats in the 2014 postseason finished at a 2-0 record and an 1.90 ERA with more strikeouts registered (21) than hits allowed (20).

Upon season conclusion, Chris Schwinden was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the year for his 2014 efforts.

Corey Smith - Back-to-Back Atlantic League First-Team Selections

Autographed 2013 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Card Set #23 

After being named Baseball America’s Top-High-School Hitter in the Country, Corey Smith was drafted in the first round of the 2000 draft by the Cleveland Indians.

Smith went on to reach the Triple-A level with the Indian, Angel and Dodger organizations.

Spending an abbreviated season with the Somerset Patriots in 2012, and two full seasons the following years -- Smith made them count.  

The Piscataway native was named Atlantic League Player of the Month for May and Atlantic League All-Star Game MVP by winning a "Home Run Off" that decided the game in extra innings in 2013.

The third baseman was also voted back-to-back Atlantic League First-Team selections for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Jim Ed Warden – All-Time Atlantic League Career Save Leader

Autographed 2011 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs DAV Team Card Set #305

Having reached the triple-A level with three different MLB organizations (Indians, Nationals and Mets), Jim Ed Warden went on to pitch six seasons with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2009-14) and became the most prolific closer the Atlantic League has ever known.

The 6’7”, side-arm closer from Tennessee Tech became the all-time Atlantic League save leader on May 29, 2014, achieving 123 career saves; eventually retiring with 134 saves in 151 opportunities and an ERA of 2.77 for his Atlantic League career.

Ending his career on top with back-to-back All-Star Selections (2013-14), Warden remains a fan favorite to Crustacean Nation and one of the most endeared Blue Crabs of all time.