Chiefs Add LHP Hempy from Boise
August 22, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that RHP Al Alburquerque has been sent to Mesa to join the Arizona Rookie League. LHP Arik Hempy joins the Chiefs roster from Boise to fill the roster spot. Hempy is expected to join the team in Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
Hempy, a 17th round draft pick out of the University of South Carolina joins the Chiefs rotation and will start in Wisconsin on Saturday night. After the draft, Hempy made one start in Mesa and was promoted to the Northwest League Boise Hawks where he was 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA in nine appearances, seven of which were starts. He struck out 33 batters and walked 11 in 30 2/3 innings pitched. The 6'5 left-hander limited right-handed hitters to just a .215 average while striking out 22 and walking seven.
This season with the Gamecocks, Hempy was 7-3 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 starts. He pitched in one combined shutout and struck out 64 batters in 65 1/3 innings. SEC opponents hit just .234 against him and the lefty allowed just three homers on the season. Tommy John surgery cut Hempy's 2006 season short at the University of South Carolina. Before his injury, he was 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA including 47 strikeouts in 34 innings of work. In March of 2006, he pitched a season-high 7 2/3 innings while striking out a career high 12 against SEC foe Florida.
Alburquerque, who was on the Chiefs opening day roster was placed on the disabled list in early June and has struggled since his return. Alburquerque joined the short-season affiliate in Boise where he went 3-2 with one save while posting a 3.73 ERA. Alburquerque rejoined the Chiefs on August 10th and lost his only start on August 13. Overall, he was 1-4 with a 9.24 ERA in 11 appearances for Peoria in 2007.
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