Bullpen Grows with Addition of Sinkerballer
Published on March 20, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (March 20, 2015) - Scattered across the rosters of independent baseball teams all over the country are talented players that suffered serious injuries at some point in their career. For some, the setback caused them to go undrafted and for others it led to their release from an MLB organization. The newest signee of the Wichita Wingnuts, relief pitcher Brad Mincey, falls into the second category.
The six foot tall, 190 pound right-hander was dominant during the 2012 season for the Miami Marlins Single-A affiliate in Greensboro. Mincey posted a 2.73 ERA in 45 relief outings that spanned 69.1 innings. He struck out 58 opposing hitters while walking just 17 on his way to finishing 30 games and recording seven saves. All signs pointed to Mincey continuing his rapid climb through the Marlins' farm system in 2013, when he injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, he missed the entire season and never quite regained his form last year in 23 appearances at Single-A Jupiter. He was released after allowing 34 runs in 38.0 innings.
Mincey began his professional career in 2011 as a 28th round selection of the Florida Marlins out of East Carolina University. During his rookie year he pitched in 19 games with four different farm teams, eventually concluding the year in Jupiter. His most extensive action, 22.3 innings in 12 relief appearances, came with Low-A Jamestown in the New York-Penn League. With the Jammers, Mincey was 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA and fanned 14. Featuring a heavy sinker as his primary pitch, the Wilmington, North Carolina native has allowed just five home runs in three seasons facing professional hitters.
During his college career at ECU, the now 26-year old Mincey, was 22-13 with a 3.65 ERA in 100 games. He pitched a total of 249.0 collegiate innings in 19 starts and 81 relief appearances. He was named Second Team All-Conference USA following both his sophomore (2009) and senior (2011) seasons. In 2009, he started a career-high ten games and set collegiate bests with ten wins, 82.2 innings, and 71 strikeouts. In his final season at the school in Greenville, Mincey appeared in 31 games and had an ERA of 1.57, his top marks in each category.
Mincey is the 19th player to sign with 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 .
American Association Stories from March 20, 2015
- T-Bones' 2015 Single-Game Tickets on Sale Next Week - Kansas City Monarchs
- Bullpen Grows with Addition of Sinkerballer - Wichita Wingnuts
- RHP Patrick Johnson Returns for 2015 Campaign - Sioux City Explorers
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