'Chucks add former All-Star Gates to the fold
July 6, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release
WAUSAU-July 6, 2011-Aaron Gates, a standout two-way player from Pepperdine University and former Northwoods League All-Star, was activated Tuesday by the Wisconsin Woodchucks.
With the signing, the Woodchucks add an All-Star caliber left-handed bat, and a Division I All-Conference workhorse on the mound, as the 'Chucks look to build momentum and right the ship headed to the Northwoods League second half.
Completing his junior season with the Waves this spring, the 6-foot-1-inch southpaw went 4-5, while leading qualifying Waves pitchers in ERA, games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. Working past the sixth inning in 11 of his 14 starts, Gates would receive 2011 All-Conference accolades in the West Coast Conference for his efforts on a 22-34 Pepperdine squad.
Before playing for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League last summer, Gates suited up for the La Crosse Loggers in the summer of 2009, where he was a South Division All-Star as a position player.
Gates - who was drafted in round 33 of the 2008 MLB first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies - hit .283 with six homeruns and 30 RBI for the Loggers in '09, while throwing 36 innings, striking out 29 and posting a 3.50 ERA.
"Basically, we're in a 35-game pennant race, so he's going to go every fifth day and that'll be his main role with us," said field manager Guido Aspeitia, who plans to do away with his traditional six-man rotation for the remainder of the season. "I know he was pretty successful at Pepperdine for a team that didn't hit very well.
"He can run the ball up there a little bit and has real good breaking stuff- but it's just about mentality, and I think he's got that."
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