Key Righties Return To Wingnuts
Published on March 29, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added four pitchers to their roster on Monday, re-signing Gabe Medina and Doug Hurn, trading for right-hander Luke Demko, and signing rookie right-hander Kyle Frets.
An All-Star in 2009, Medina enters his fifth season of professional baseball and his second with the Wingnuts. The 26-year old went 8-5 last season with a 4.37 ERA and ranked fifth in the American Association with 19 starts. Medina fanned 82 hitters and allowed only 115 hits in 119.1 innings pitched. Given the chance to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career, the Maracaibo, Venezuela native earned a reputation as a workhorse, pitching six or more innings in 15 of his final 18 starts. During a six-start stretch from late May into early July, Medina went 4-0 and allowed five or fewer base hits and three or fewer earned runs in each outing. The former Yankees' farm hand finished the year on a high note, tossing nine full innings of one-run ball in game four of the North Division Series versus Lincoln in a no-decision.
"Gabe was one of our horses in the rotation last year", said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "There is no way we have the success we did without him on our staff. He threw a lot of innings for us and did a phenomenal job, and I'm expecting big things out of him this year. Gabe is still pretty young, but he has a good presence about him and he is a good leader."
Hurn developed into a multi-threat relief option for the Wingnuts last year, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.56 ERA. After starting the season as the team's long-reliever and spot starter, Hurn eventually settled in as the Wingnuts' primary setup man. The 24-year old struck out 44 hitters in 56.1 innings while walking only 17. Over his final 23.1 innings of the year, spanning 22 appearances from July through late August, Hurn allowed only three earned runs (1.16) while collecting three wins and two saves. A native of Reno, NV, Hurn pitched 2.2 innings in the postseason without allowing an earned run.
"Valuable. That's the best word I can use to describe Doug. He's so flexible in what he can do. He can start, he can relieve, and I even had him close a couple of times for us last year. The options he provides us make him very valuable to our club. He's an absolute bulldog on the mound and the kind of guy I want on the team."
Demko comes to the Wingnuts from the Atlantic League's Newark Bears in exchange for right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher. Demko was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 29th round last June out of the University of Rhode Island where he served as the Rams' closer. Demko struck out 44 hitters in just 33.0 innings as a senior with a 3.27 ERA and 11 saves in 25 appearances. The imposing right-hander (6'7", 275) made 14 appearances for Newark later in the summer, striking out 25 in 31.1 innings. The 23-year old Demko's final outing was his first professional start in which he allowed one earned run in 5.0 innings to earn the win.
"Luke's a guy that came from the Atlantic League where there are a lot of former major leaguers. The things he learned over there last year could make him very valuable out of our pen. Luke Robertson is very excited about giving him an opportunity to thrive in a much bigger role than he might have had in the Atlantic League.
"Derek Blacksher did a tremendous job for us last year and I'm thankful for the time he spent with us. I've always been about the players and want everyone who comes here to be able to move onto bigger and better things and this trade gives him the chance to do that."
Frets made his professional debut last season for the Sioux City Explorers, making 12 relief appearances in July and August. Frets had a 4.02 ERA over his first nine outings. On August 19th, the 23-year old worked 3.1 innings at Wichita without allowing an earned run. Prior to turning pro, Frets played college baseball at the University of Texas-Permian Basin.
"Kyle is a guy who has experience in our league. He's a local guy from Kansas City, so this is a place he wants to be. He'll battle it out for one of our bullpen spots. He came to our tryout camp last week and he has great movement and some velocity on his pitches."
The Wingnuts now have 12 players under contract for 2010 with more signings expected to be announced soon. Wichita's 2010 season opener is on Thursday, May 13th at St. Paul. The Wingnuts' first home game is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants. Season tickets and group packages are now on sale. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-6887.
American Association Stories from March 29, 2010
- Key Righties Return To Wingnuts - Wichita Wingnuts
- Pelicans Seek Host Families - Pensacola Pelicans
- Saints Re-Sign St. Olaf Grad Schmiesing, Ink Catcher Larson - St. Paul Saints
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
