Mets Give Pascucci Spring Invite
The Mets also inked C/OF VINNY ROTTINO to a minor league deal.
Pascucci, 33, spent the entire 2011 season with the Bisons before receiving a promotion to New York in September. The slugger led the Bisons in virtually every offensive category, including games played (130), runs scored (58), hits (117), doubles (29), home runs (21), extra-base hits (51), RBI (91), walks (76), on-base percentage (.375) and slugging percentage (.476). He finished 6th in the International League last season in home runs and 3rd in runs batted in. Overall, Pascucci hit .264 (117-443) with the Bisons in 2011.
Pascucci also hit 17 home runs in 72 games with the Bisons during the 2010 season. His 38 home runs are tied for the 12th most in the Bisons modern era.
Originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 15th round of the 1999 draft, Pascucci will be entering his 14th professional season in 2011. He has 231 career minor league home runs. He hit .273 with one home run and two RBI in 10 games with the Mets at the end of last season. Pascucci also played in 32 games with the Montreal Expos during the 2004 season.
Rottino, 31, spent last season with the Florida Marlins' organization, playing in 119 games for New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League and eight games with the Marlins. The 6-0, 215-pounder hit .304 (142-467) with 10 home runs and 59 RBI for the Zephyrs, earning a nod to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game. Rottino was promoted to the Marlins on September 6 and hit .167 (2-12). Rottino also appeared in 18 major league games over parts of three seasons for Milwaukee (2006-08), and is a .194 (7-36) career hitter with four RBI.