AirHogs Add 3 to Roster as Regular Season Ramps Up
May 26, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Texas AirHogs News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The AirHogs made 3 pickups this week, signing LHP Tyler Ihrig and OF Nick Akins and trading for RHP Matt Shepherd as the regular season ramps up. All 3 are expected to be active in the team's weekend series against Laredo.
Ihrig, a former member of the Chicago Cubs organization, pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings vs. Fargo on Tuesday, surrendering 2 hits and striking out 2. A native of Monroe, Washington, the lefty comes to the squad after 3+ years in the Cubs organization. He spent 2015 and the beginning of 2016 mostly with the organization's Myrtle Beach affiliate in the Carolina League, making 17 appearances and throwing 50 1/3 frames for the Pelicans. He is an alum of the College of Marin in Kentfield, California.
OF Nick Akins was also active for the AirHogs in this week's series against Fargo. Wearing number 17, the longtime professional reached base 3 times with a walk, a single and a double. A native of Los Angeles, he is an alum of Riverside Community College and Vanguard University of Southern California. He signed with the LA Dodgers after being selected in the 19th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He began the season with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League and has also spent time with Fargo-Moorhead, as well as the Joliet Slammers and Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League.
In addition to signing Ihrig and Akins, the team traded for Lincoln Saltdogs RHP Matt Shepherd. An alum of Tennessee Tech, Shepherd was a 31st round selection of the San Diego Padres organization in 2012. Over 4 years in the San Diego system, Shepherd spent time with their Eugene, Fort Wayne, and Lake Elsinore affiliates before beginning the 2016 season with the Lincoln Saltdogs. The 26-year-old righty is expected to be active in this weekend's series vs. Laredo as well as the team's series in Lincoln vs. his old squad starting Monday. He was acquired Wednesday for a player to be named later.
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