Gonzalez Purchased by Tigers, Nevarez to Mexico as Part of Massive Roster Shakeup
June 25, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (June 25, 2015) - Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez became the second Wichita Wingnut to have his contract purchased this season when he signed with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon. Matt Nevarez joined teammate Anthony Capra, who departed for Mexico on Monday, with Acereros de Monclova. Relief pitcher Scott Shuman was also released from the club's roster. The Wingnuts signed pitchers Scott Richmond, Frankie Reed, and Alex Boshers as well as utility player Tyler Coughenour to help fill the void created by the previous transactions.
The 35-year old Richmond spent four years in Major League Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays between 2008 and 2012. After finishing his college career at Oklahoma State, the 6'5 right-hander was undrafted and signed with Edmonton of the independent Northern League. After signing with Toronto in 2008, the native of Vancouver made is big league debut only a few months later, quickly ascending the ranks after beginning at Double-A.Â
He combined for a 9-14 record and 5.27 ERA in 36 MLB appearances, 29 of them starts. He struck out 139 batters in 169.0 innings over his four years with the Blue Jays. Last season, the veteran pitched within the Texas Rangers organization at Triple-A Round Rock and appeared in 21 games. Richmond will start the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday evening.
Reed, a native of Simi Valley, California, was drafted in 2011 out of California Polytechnic State University in the 27th round by the Florida Marlins. He began the campaign at Double-A Jacksonville and was 1-0 with a 4.43 ERA in 14 relief outings before being released. The current season is his fifth in pro baseball.
Boshers will be making his professional debut after five seasons of college ball at the University of Tennessee-Martin. The right-hander received an extra season of eligibility after he injured his arm six innings into his senior season. He recovered and went 1-4 with a 6.15 ERA in 19 games, six of them starts for the Skyhawks.
The Wingnuts re-signed Coughenour who was hitting .100 in eight games with the team earlier this year. He impressed the coaching staff in an open tryout held before the season and was first signed in late May. The former Wichita State Shocker is in his second professional season after spending 2014 with the San Angelo Colts of the United League.
Nevarez was in his fourth season in Wichita and had allowed just one earned run in 13.1 innings. He was perfect in eight save opportunities and 30 for 31 over the past two seasons, with the only blown save occurring because of two unearned runs.
Gonzalez will report to Double-A Erie in the Tigers' farm system. He spent seven years in Major League Baseball with four different clubs including three years with both the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals. From 2009-11 he played three consecutive seasons of over 100 games at the MLB level. This season he was batting .296 with a home run and 13 RBI for the Wingnuts. He also led the team with 12 stolen bases.
Gonzalez is the 30th Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization. Below is the complete list of players who have had their contracts purchased after playing in Wichita.
Wingnuts Sold to Major League Organizations
OF Dustan Mohr, 2008 - Colorado Rockies
OF Blake Gailen, 2008 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
RHP Will Savage, 2010 - Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Ben Graham, 2010 - Washington Nationals
LHP Justin Dowdy, 2010 - Tampa Bay Rays
OF Ryan Patterson, 2011 - Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Dustin Pease, 2011 - San Diego Padres
RHP Cephas Howard, 2011 - Texas Rangers
OF Kenny Gilbert, 2011 - Chicago White Sox
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Cincinnati Reds
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Philadelphia Phillies
SS Jose Martinez, 2012 - Houston Astros
LHP Nate Robertson, 2012 - Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2012 - Tampa Bay Rays
RHP Andrew Aizenstadt, 2012 - Philadelphia Phillies
RHP James Hoyt, 2012 - Atlanta Braves
OF David Peralta, 2012 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Adam Buschini, 2013 - San Diego Padres
RHP Jon Link, 2013 - Detroit Tigers
LHP Ryan Hinson, 2013 - Atlanta Braves
1B C.J. Ziegler, 2013 - Minnesota Twins
C J.T. Wise, 2014 - Texas Rangers
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Jon Link, 2014 - Miami Marlins
RHP Chris Peacock, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Carlo Testa, 2014 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Jake Luce, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jhonathan Ramos, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jarret Leverett, 2015 - San Francisco Giants
SS Alberto Gonzalez, 2015 - Detroit Tigers
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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