Bridgewater, NJ- The Four-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have announced the signings of pitchers Josh Miller, Ryan Basner, Thomas Fairchild, Jared Gothreaux and outfielders Mike Rodriguez and Kyle Messineo.
Miller spent the 2008 season with the Houston Astros organization at the Triple-A level and he finished with 74 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched. He has two seasons of Triple-A experience with the Astros and also played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Basner has played his entire career in the Atlanta Braves organization, including four years at the Triple-A level. He finished the 2008 season with a 2-0 record and 14 strikeouts in 22.2 innings at Double-A.
Fairchild has spent his entire career with the Astros organization. He finished the 2008 season at the Double-A level and had 45 strikeouts in 61.1 innings pitched.
Gothreaux has experience in the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. During the 2008 season in Triple-A, he had 21 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched.
Rodriguez played the 2008 season with the Baltimore Orioles organization at the Double-A level and he finished with 101 hits, 18 doubles, five triples, four home runs, and 53 RBI in 99 games. Rodriguez also has experience in the Astros organization where he spent two seasons at the Triple-A level. Rodriguez has a career .271 batting average with 803 hits, 146 doubles, 45 triples, 30 home runs and 320 RBI in 811 games.
Messineo spent 2008 playing overseas in Italy. In 2007, while at Monmouth University, he hit .340 with 67 hits, eight doubles, four triples, eight home runs, and 36 RBI in 60 games played.
The Four-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots have placed tickets on sale for the upcoming 2009 Season. Opening Day will take place on Thursday, April 23rd with a 7:05 pm game at TD Bank Ballpark. For more information, call (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. 
