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Experienced Arm from Both Sides Back to Lead Rotation

April 4, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS (April 4, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts pitching staff led the American Association in both ERA and strikeouts in 2013. In fact, the numbers they posted in both categories blew away the previous league records for each. Two of the arms that were big contributors in putting up those impressive numbers will take the mound at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium again this season. Both Jon Link and Anthony Capra have re-signed with the Wingnuts for 2014.

Link, a former Major Leaguer who started for the Wingnuts on Opening Day last year, will be entering his second season in Wichita. The right-handed pitcher spent just over a month with the Wingnuts in the beginning of the 2013 campaign before his contract was purchased by the Detroit Tigers in mid-June. At the time of his departure he led the American Association in both wins (six) and ERA (1.74) and was fifth in the league with 38 strikeouts. Link also tossed the first complete game of his career on June 17th versus Gary SouthShore. The Columbus, OH native allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his seven starts and had a string of 24.0 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Tigers initially sent Link to their Double-A affiliate in Erie. Link went 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in five games, all starts. In 39.2 innings of work he struck out 21 while allowing 30 hits and five walks. Those impressive numbers earned Link a promotion to the Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit's Triple-A affiliate. There he worked 43.2 innings in 11 appearances, seven of them starts. He also finished three games and closed the season with a 5.56 ERA. He was granted free agency by the Tigers in November.

Manager Kevin Hooper is glad that Link is back to provide both pitching and guidance. "Jon will once again be the leader in our rotation this upcoming season. Having pitched in the big leagues, he is willing to teach the younger guys what it takes to be successful on the mound," the skipper said. "He is very smart and knows how to give himself a chance to win a ball-game every fifth day."

Link enters his tenth season of professional baseball and was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round out of Bluefield College (Bluefield, VA) in 2005. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Link is 34-27 in his career with 93 saves over 400 appearances. The veteran was named the Double-A Southern League's Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2008 with the Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox). Link had a 4.15 ERA in nine relief appearances for the Dodgers in 2010. The Columbus, OH native made his Major League debut on April 20th of that season with two shutout relief innings against the Cincinnati Reds.

"I'm really excited to be back in a great city playing in front of great fans and for a first class organization," Link expressed. "We definitely have some unfinished business from last year to take care of. This year it's all about the ring."

With Link providing a top-notch right-handed arm at the top of the rotation, every team would love to have a left-handed stalwart as a compliment. That is where Anthony Capra comes in. The southpaw, who will begin his third season in Wichita, was 7-2 with a 3.92 ERA in 22 appearances last season. In 100.0 innings of work Capra struck out 122 opposing hitters and walked 59. He had one of his best starts of the season when it mattered most, throwing 7.1 shutout innings against Grand Prairie in Game 3 of the Division Series. Capra racked up double-digit strikeout totals in three games.

"I'm excited to be coming back to play in Wichita, which I consider my second home. Playing for Kevin Hooper has allowed me to rediscover my love of the game as well as learn some things as a pitcher along the way," Capra said. He also agreed with Link about one thing, "We've finished just short of our goal twice now and everyone that is coming back knows what our end goal is for 2014."

Capra is entering his seventh season of professional baseball and owns a lifetime 28-37 record with a 4.20 ERA in 115 starts and 14 relief appearances. Capra, 27, has averaged 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings over 608.0 career frames. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Capra was drafted by the Oakland Athletics as a fourth-round pick out of Wichita State University in 2008. Capra was 18-4 with a 2.43 ERA during his three seasons with the Shockers, earning All-American and All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2008. Capra reached Triple-A Sacramento for the Athletics in 2011, and was named organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2009 after striking out 170 in 152.0 innings between two levels. Capra is the 10th former Shocker to wear a Wingnuts' uniform.

Hooper is very familiar with Capra and has high hopes for his future. "I have known Cap since his college days at WSU and feel very fortunate to have him in our rotation. He put together a stellar season last year and will be another huge part of our success in 2014. I'm hoping if he can go out and repeat what he did last year that it won't be long before he gets another opportunity in affiliated ball."

The seventh season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 15th against the Grand Prairie Airhogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For information on 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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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