Wingnuts Add Outfielder and Infielder
March 22, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed outfielder Derek Perren and infielder Marc Tarantola on Friday.
Perren starred for the North American League's Edinburg Roadrunners last year, hitting .327 with 45 runs scored, 21 doubles, two home runs, 50 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. The Arcadia, CA native ranked 11th in the North American League in batting average, tied for fifth in doubles, 11th in RBI, third in walks (48), and fifth in on-base percentage (.407). Perren hit safely in 67 of 94 games played, and fanned just 25 times all season. The 27-year-old outfielder had 31 multi-hit contests and never went more than two consecutive games without collecting at least one hit.
"Derek had great college numbers at USC and has had a great start to his professional career," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He will compete for one of our outfield spots, and is yet another left-handed bat we can possibly add to our lineup. His career numbers show that he can definitely handle the bat, and I think this is going to be a great opportunity for him."
A fifth-year professional, Perren is a lifetime .306 hitter and has averaged 85 runs scored, 34 doubles, six home runs, 75 RBI, and 69 walks per 162 games played. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Perren has struck out just 99 times in 850 career at bats, and owns a .381 on-base percentage. Perren played two seasons of college baseball at the University of Southern California and hit .362 for the Trojans during his senior season in 2008. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Perren also played two seasons at Los Angeles Pierce College. Near the end of the 2011 season, Perren was a teammate of current Wingnuts Mike Burns and C.J. Ziegler with the North American League's Calgary Vipers.
Tarantola is a true rookie from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Tarantola hit .265 as a senior in 2012 with 19 runs scored, five doubles, three home runs, and 15 RBI in 34 games played as the Bulldogs' starting shortstop. Defensively, the 24-year-old native of Tucson, AZ committed just five errors all season. Prior to Southwestern Oklahoma State, Tarantola played at Arizona Western College where he hit .275 as a Sophomore in 2010. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Tarantola also played in the 2011 NBC World Series as a member of the Casa Grande Cotton Kings.
"Marc will come into camp competing for our utility spot," said Hooper. "He is mainly an infielder, but can also play the outfield. From the reports I have received, his bat will always play, and I know he is excited for the opportunity we have given him."
Perren and Tarantola give the Wingnuts 20 players officially under contract for the 2013 season. American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 4th.
2013 Wingnuts Signings
OF David Amberson
IF Blake Bergeron
C Kieran Bradford
RHP Mike Burns
LHP Anthony Capra
RHP Josh Dew
RHP Lincoln Holdzkom
2B Jake Kahaulelio
SS Ryan Khoury
LHP Kristhiam Linares
IF/OF Jared McDonald
3B Abel Nieves
OF Derek Perren
LHP Daniel Schmidt
RHP Bryce Shafer
RHP Chris Smith
IF Marc Tarantola
RHP Kyle Wahl
C Stephen Yoo
1B C.J. Ziegler
The 2013 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 16th against the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Prior to the game, a ceremony honoring the life of bench coach Brian Rose will take place. For season tickets, group outings, or 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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American Association Stories from March 22, 2013
- Wingnuts Add Outfielder and Infielder - Wichita Wingnuts
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