SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Receive 8th Rounder Ziznewski; League's Top Pitcher Guerrero Placed on DL

Published on May 25, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 25, 2015) - The Kannapolis Intimidators, Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have received infielder John Ziznewski, who was named 2014 Northeast Conference Player of the Year while at Long Island University, from Extended Spring Training today. In a corresponding move, the Intimidators have promoted infielder Toby Thomas to the Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem Dash. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Guerrero - the South Atlantic League's leader in ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched - has been placed on the Disabled List retroactive to May 23.

Ziznewski, 24, graduated from LIU in Brooklyn, N.Y., after a standout career that culminated with conference Player of the Year honors. He led the conference in hits (72), home runs (9), RBI (55), slugging percentage (.589), and total bases (116). The White Sox selected him in the eighth round of the June 2014 First-Year Player draft and assigned him to Advanced Rookie Great Falls, where he hit .243 (37-153) with seven doubles, 23 RBI, 23 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 43 games in his professional debut.

Thomas, 21, earns his first promotion to Winston-Salem. The infielder is batting .236 (26-110) with five doubles, a home run, 11 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 29 games for Kannapolis this season. The White Sox selected him in the 21st round of the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft, and he made his professional debut that year with Advanced Rookie Bristol, batting .319 (67-210) with four home runs and 30 RBI in 51 games. He split 2014 between Advanced Rookie Great Falls and Kannapolis, batting .245 (46-188) with 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 25 RBI in 49 games between the two levels.

Guerrero, who turns 21 this week, has been one of the best pitchers in Minor League Baseball over the first two months of 2015. He is 6-0 and ranks first in the South Atlantic League and 12th in the Minor Leagues with a 1.24 ERA (7 ER/51.0 IP) in eight games (eight starts). He is tied for the SAL lead in wins, which is tied for second in all of MiLB. The two-time SAL Pitcher of the Week (April 9-19 and May 11-17) also paces the SAL in innings pitched, ranking tied for 45th in the Minors. He is tied for 12th among Minor League arms with 56 strikeouts, also tops in the South Atlantic League.

The Intimidators' Opening Day starter has not allowed a run in his last 20.0 innings of work, dating back to his final two frames on the mound on May 4 against Rome. Twice this season, Guerrero has struck out double-digits, including a career-high 11 over 6.0 innings on April 15 at Delmarva in the second game of a doubleheader. The lefty is holding right-handed hitters to a .169 clip and holding opposing hitters to a .188 average overall, which also leads the SAL and is tied for 18th in the Minors. The Moorpark, Calif., native has posted a 0.84 WHIP, tops in the SAL and tied for 11th-best among all Minor Leaguers. The White Sox selected Guerrero in the 15th round of the June 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Moorpark (Calif.) High School. Guerrero spent his first two professional seasons with Advanced Rookie Bristol in 2012 and 2013 before joining Kannapolis in late April 2014. Last year with the Intimidators, he went 6-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 27 games (nine starts), including a 4-0 record and 2.65 ERA in 18 relief appearances.

The Intimidators open a three-game series today against the Lexington Legends (Kansas City Royals) with a special 6:05 p.m. start for Memorial Day. Gates open at 5 p.m. at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Monday's game is also Belly Buster Night, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings at Exit 54 in the Afton Ridge Shopping Center, featuring all-you-can-eat for only $10 (some exclusions apply). For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2015


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