Nuts Ink Former Big-Leaguer, Deal Closer
March 5, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (March 5, 2015) - With the calendar flipping to March this week, most of the nation's attention will turn to college basketball and the NCAA tournament. However, for American Association teams this is a time to begin making important decisions that will shape the roster of baseball players whom arrive for Spring Training in May. Today, the Wichita Wingnuts announced that they have signed five-year MLB infielder Luis Hernandez and traded pitcher Dan Sattler to the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League for a player to be named later.
Hernandez, who is 30 years old, will bring eight seasons of Triple-A and four seasons of Double-A experience to the home clubhouse at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Originally signed as an 18-year old by the Atlanta Braves in 2002, Hernandez has played in the farm system of six different Major League organizations and reached the parent club with four of them. A large majority of his more than 1200 career games have been played at shortstop, but the veteran has also spent time in both corner outfield spots and every infield position aside from first base.
The native of Quibor in Venezuela, advanced through each level of the Braves minor league system, reaching Triple-A Richmond in 2006. Following that season he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. This move paved the way for Hernandez to make his first trip to the big leagues.
After batting .242 with Double-A Bowie and .273 in nine games with Triple-A Norfolk, Hernandez made his major league debut on July 8, 2007. Filling in because of injury for 30 games, he posted five multi-hit games and his first big league homer, a two-run blast against Toronto on September 27th. Known mainly for his superb defense, Hernandez surprised many by finishing with a .290 batting average, a number almost 40 points higher than his career Minor League average. Prior to the 2008 season, the Orioles traded away star shortstop Miguel Tejada to Houston, opening the door for Hernandez to become the opening day shortstop. He held onto the job for 30 games before being sent down to Triple-A in late May.
Beginning with the offseason between 2008 and 2009, his first as a free agent, Hernandez set in motion a stretch of five years in which he journeyed to four different organizations and often shuffled between the parent club and Triple-A. He spent 2009 with Kansas City, 2010-11 with the New York Mets, 2012 in Texas, and 2013 with Cleveland. In those five years he played a combined 92 contests at the MLB level.
The veteran will be commencing his 13th season of professional baseball in 2015. He owns a lifetime .252 batting average with 35 home runs, 432 RBI, and an on-base percentage of just below .300. Hernandez owns a .973 fielding percentage in his 1,262 career games played.
Sattler, a late addition to the bullpen in 2014, pitched in five regular season games for the Wingnuts and recorded three saves after being acquired via trade from the St. Paul Saints. The all-star closer also worked four innings in the playoffs, recording two saves. He struck out Lincoln slugger Ian Gac to clinch the Wingnuts first American Association championship on September 13th.
Hernandez is the 17th player to join the Wingnuts for 2015. The roster can include up to 28 players until two days prior to the start of the regular season when the active roster must be trimmed to 22. The eighth season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins on Thursday, May 21st in Joplin, with the home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes taking place on Tuesday, May 26th. 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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