SARANAC LAKE, NY –  The Empire Baseball League welcomes Atlantic League veteran coach and former major league pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo to the Empire Baseball League family.

The former Big League Star is Excited to join as an Elite pitching instructor and Mentor to Empire players. He will be a strong recruiting force to the Atlantic and high level leagues!

Jonathan is a  Puertorican  former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

On December 4, 2007 he was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates who drafted him in the 19th round of the 2001 draft, to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Tyler Clippard. The deal is regarded, years later, as one of the worst in Brian Cashman’s tenure as Yankees General Manager. He made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in 2008 and 2009 and finished season in 2010.

Albaladejo set an International League single-season record for saves in 2010 with 43. He was named to the International League Postseason All-Star team.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed him on December 13, 2011 and finished the season with the big league club. On April 1, 2016, Albaladejo signed with the Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican Baseball League.   On July 25, 2017, Albaladejo signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.  On November 1, 2017, Albaladejo was drafted by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft and has been a player/pitching  coach for the team since.

The Empire League is excited to bring his talents to help the upcoming pitchers of the empire league  develop.

Article by Empire Media

SARANAC LAKE, NY – With the recent confirmation of Minor League baseball being fully cancelled along with Independent federation leagues like the Frontier and Atlantic, the Empire League has had to readjust its plan for 2020.

As most know, the Empire League’s ONLY purpose is providing an opportunity for players to achieve Pro Baseball Contracts, and stay ready for high level leagues. We are excited to announce our 2020 camp/season modifications due to the Covid Restrictions.

The Empire Pro Baseball Showcase will take place in Florida this coming August, with its modified season happening directly afterwards in September.

The camp and season will uphold its primary function of recruitment and scouting players with data to help promote or fill open spots in the Pro Baseball Winter Leagues that start in October and November internationally. It will also serve as additional games to the current active created leagues so that players achieve a larger number of games played for the year. Lastly with the American Association being the only League operating, there will still be possibility of late Season recruitment.

We hope all players are taking the proper safety measures, and look forward to helping you stay ready, active and recruited for Winter or 2021 seasons!

Let’s Play Ball!!

Article by Empire Media

SARANAC LAKE, NY – Shortly after finishing the 2019 Empire League season, Eddy Reynoso was signed to play with the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Roberto Clemente Puerto Rico Professional Winter League.

Reynoso had a stellar winter where he went (5-0) as a reliever and was a part of the 2019 Championship team in which ended up participating in the Caribbean World Series representing the Island of Puerto Rico.

Reynoso, a member of the Puerto Rico Islanders, has signed with the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League. He  hopes that when the pandemic is over, that he can go back to trying to live his dream again.

Article by Empire Media

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Empire League online store is now open and taking orders for the 2020 Regular Season for merchandise of all the Empire League teams.

The store will feature your favorite team’s merchandise for the teams participating in the 2020 season which are the Tupper Lake Riverpigs, Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, Saranac Lake Surge,  Puerto Rico Islanders and New Hampshire Wild.

To shop your favorite teams gear, click the link below!

Japanese talent thrives under Empire League Partnership October 30, 2025

Tampa, Florida — October 25, 2025 The Empire League Japan Showcase Platform continues to make a major impact on professional baseball, producing some of the most exciting Japanese talent to compete in America. As an innovative online recruitment system that connects players from Japan with opportunities in the Empire Baseball League (EBL) each summer, the […]

Empire Baseball League Continues to Gain World-Class Recognition October 21, 2025

Tampa, FL — The Empire Professional Baseball Development League (EBL) and its Instructional Training Camps continue to receive world-class recognition for their exceptional role in player development and advancement to professional baseball. Major League Baseball (MLB) Partner League commissioners and Professional team owners from across the country work closely with the Empire League and its […]

Mason Collins Named 2025 Empire League Finals MVP August 11, 2025

MALONE, N.Y. – After delivering one of the most clutch hits in Empire League history, Mason Collins has been named the 2025 Empire League Finals MVP. Collins capped off an incredible championship series with a two-RBI walk-off single in Game 3, sealing the Malone Border Hounds’ sweep of the defending champion Tupper Lake Riverpigs. Throughout the series, the Border Hounds’ […]

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The  Empire Leagues top free agent will be putting on a new uniform this 2020 season as he has been signed to the Chicago Dogs of the American Association located in  Chicago, Illinois.

Itakura, from Tochigi, Japan, was named top Empire League prospect just a few weeks ago.  The 29 year old Outfielder  hit .357 in the Empire League last season with 1 home run with the Surge and two in the finals with the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds.

“Since he joined the league, we have been trying hard to get him signed until our good friend Butch Hobson, Manager of the Chicago Dogs  fell in love with his swing from the Empire League recruiting  videos. ” – Eddie Gonzalez

Itakura will join former Empire League infielder Edwin Arroyo who has been phenomenal since sent to the Dogs and has re-signed for the 2020 Season.

“His work ethic and his intelligence is top level. I think he will be another outstanding player for the Chicago Dogs this year.” – Jerry Gonzalez

Itakura will be another Empire League Player that will continue their career after posting up great numbers in an Empire League Season.

Article by Empire Media