Leverett Earns Opportunity with San Francisco
May 26, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 26, 2015) - Seven months ago Jarret Leverett was seriously considering retiring from professional baseball. Kevin Hooper pitched him on a great opportunity to showcase his talents with the Wichita Wingnuts and the left-handed pitcher made the tough decision to join the club. Just one appearance into the 2015 season that decision paid off in the best way possible. On Monday the San Francisco Giants made Leverett the first player to have his contract purchased from an American Association club this season.
In his lone trip to the mound this season against Joplin on opening night, the reliever allowed a pair of base hits, but also struck out two in holding the Blasters off the board.
The 25-year old hails from Cordele, Georgia and played his final two years of college baseball at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. He ended up with the Eagles after playing junior college ball at Middle Georgia as a freshman and sophomore. In his initial year at the school, he played a big role in Middle Georgia earning a trip to the JUCO World Series before helping them to a conference championship in the following campaign.
In his first season at Georgia Southern, Leverett struggled to an 0-3 record and a 7.84 ERA in 41.1 innings. He made three starts early in the season, before moving permanently to the bullpen and recording two saves. He came back for his final season in 2012 looking like a new pitcher. Pitching almost exclusively in relief, he worked 51.1 frames and finished 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA and a team-best seven saves.
The 6'3 hurler became one of four Georgia Southern players to be selected in the 2012 MLB Draft when the Minnesota Twins called his name in the 15th round. However, just over a month after the draft he was released without having thrown a professional pitch because the team discovered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. After undergoing surgery and over a year of rehabilitation, Leverett was finally able to make his professional debut on the mound in 2014.
Pitching for the Frontier Greys, a travel team in the Frontier League, Leverett looked healthy on the hill and put up the numbers to prove it. He finished with an 0-6 record, but his earned run average was just 2.72 in 33 relief outings. In 46.2 innings the lefty fanned 44 opposing hitters, finished 15 games, and saved five.
Leverett is the 29th 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
The 2015 season will resume with the home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes 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.
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