Mexican League Star Signed by Wingnuts
August 21, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (August 21, 2015) - As the American Association playoff race heats up, many teams will receive an influx of talented players from south of the border. The Mexican League regular season recently concluded, thus players from teams that were unable to qualify for post-season play are available to sign. The Wichita Wingnuts added a star from the Triple-A circuit on Friday when they picked up the contract of outfielder Nick Van Stratten.
The 30-year old played for the Reynosa Broncos for 56 games after opening the season in the Atlantic League. In Mexico, Van Stratten hit for a .403 average and added 18 extra-base hits with 28 RBI. The outfielder worked 20 walks while striking out just 22 times and put together a .457 on-base percentage. Once he made it on base he posed another threat by stealing 15 bases in 18 opportunities.
Reynosa purchased Van Stratten from the Bridgeport Bluefish after he jumped out to a hot start at the plate. In 30 games he had posted a .352 batting average. Last year, the outfielder played in 97 games for the Laredo Lemurs, hitting for .349 average and collecting 30 extra-base hits, 49 RBI, 81 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. The native of Kansas City, Missouri was selected to play for the south team in the 2014 American Association All-Star Game.
In 2013, he made his American Association debut with Sioux Falls, where he batted .352 with 25 doubles, 14 triples, 74 runs scored, 54 RBI and 25 stolen bases over the course of 96 contests.
Van Stratten made his professional debut in 2006 after he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10thround of the MLB Amateur Draft out of St. Louis Community College. He spent seven seasons within the Royals organization, reaching as high as the Double-A Level, before joining the Independent ranks. In 797 career minor league games, Van Stratten owns a .317 batting average with 34 home runs, 387 RBI, 498 runs scored and 148 stolen bases.
The veteran will be in center field and at the top of the lineup for Friday night's 7:05 p.m. battle with the Laredo Lemurs. 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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