Wingnuts Announce Roster Moves
Published on June 29, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced several roster transactions on Friday, including the addition of veteran outfielder Sean Smith.
Smith is in his 13th season of professional baseball and hit .298 with two doubles, one triple, and six stolen bases in 16 games for the Gary SouthShore RailCats earlier this season. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Smith is a lifetime .260 hitter with a .341 on-base percentage in 909 professional games. The 29-year-old outfielder has stolen 276 bases in 341 attempts (81%) during his career, while averaging 50 steals for every 162 games played. The Beverly Hills, CA native was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round in 2000, and reached Double-A Birmingham in 2007. Smith has stolen as many as 52 bases in one season, and has swiped 27 or more six different times.
Wichita re-signed infielder Tommy Fitzgerald who was with the team earlier in the month. Fitzgerald batted .265 in 55 games for the Wingnuts last year, while filling in at six different positions including pitcher. Fitzgerald is expected to stay through this weekend's series versus Winnipeg.
Right-handed pitcher Edgar Martinez is expected to re-join the team on Saturday. Martinez was 1-0 with one save and a 2.94 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched before signing with the Mexican League's Oaxaca Warriors early last week.
The Wingnuts also learned that first baseman C.J. Ziegler, second baseman Jake Kahaulelio, and right-handed pitcher James Hoyt have signed with the Mexican League's Tabasco Olmecs. Ziegler was hitting .333 and currently leads the American Association in both home runs (13) and RBI (44). Kahaulelio ranks third in the league in batting average (.380) and tied for first in runs scored (39). Both Ziegler and Kahaulelio had appeared in each of the Wingnuts' first 39 games. Hoyt was signed last week and struck out three over 2.0 scoreless innings.
Additionally, Wichita has placed left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson (retroactive to June 25th) and right-handed pitcher Ben Graham (retroactive to June 21st) on the 7-Day Disabled List.
The Wingnuts continue their series with the Goldeyes on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Jeff Nadeau makes his first start of the year and faces right-hander Matthew Rusch. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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