Michael Antonini

Michael John Antonini (born August 6, 1985) is a professional baseball pitcher, for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

He played ball at Cardinal O'Hara High School, Georgia College & State University and Gloucester County College. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 41st round of the 2006 MLB Draft but did not sign and was then drafted by the New York Mets in the 18th round of the 2007 MLB Draft.

Career

New York Mets

He signed with the Mets in 2007 and made his professional debut with their rookie league team, the Kingsport Mets, that year. After a few starts he was promoted to the Brooklyn Cyclones. He split 2008 between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the St. Lucie Mets. He spent most of 2009 with the AA Binghamton Mets, where he was 7-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 25 appearances (20 starts). In 2010, he was 6-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 23 starts for Binghamton and received a promotion to the AAA Buffalo Bisons where he started 6 games late in the year and was 2-3 with a 5.11 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Antonini was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 27, 2010 for Chin-lung Hu. With the Dodgers organization in 2011, he made 27 starts for the AA Chattanooga Lookouts and was 10-9 with a 4.01 ERA. He played in the mid-season Southern League All-Star game and was added to the 40-man roster after the season to protect him from the Rule V Draft. He was promoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes to start 2012. On April 24 he was called up to the Majors for the first time when Matt Guerrier was placed on the disabled list; however he was optioned back to the minors on April 27 without appearing in any games. On May 28 he was again called up to replace the injured Ted Lilly but returned to AAA one day later, again without appearing in a game. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July 31 and removed him from the 40-man roster. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Isotopes. He pitched in 30 games in Albuquerque, including 13 starts, and finished the season 2-7 with a 5.71 ERA. He was released at the end of March 2013.

Independent leagues

He signed with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for 2013 and the New Jersey Jackals of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball in 2014. Antonini broke the Can-Am League record for most strikeouts in a game with 15 on July 12, 2014 against the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Antonini signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish. He was signed by the Los Angeles Angels.

Because he has spent time on the active roster without making an appearance, he is an example of a phantom ballplayer. However, as he is still an active player, he may eventually appear in a game and cease to be a phantom player.

Antonini resigned with the Bridgeport Bluefish for the 2016 season.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference (Minors)