AtL Sugar Land Space Cowboys

Nix, Rockett, Young Sign with Sugar Land

Published on March 17, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys News Release


SUGAR LAND, TX - The Sugar Land Skeeters announced today that the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Michael Nix, as well as outfielder Michael Rockett for the 2014 season. The organization also acquired former Major Leaguer Delwyn Young via trade from the Atlantic League Camden Riversharks in exchange for future considerations.

Nix, 30, went 9-2 with a 1.88 ERA (16ER/76.2IP) in 14 total appearances (12 starts) for Sugar Land in 2013. Prior to his midseason signing with the Chicago White Sox organization, Nix took home Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors in May, going 5-0 in five starts spanning 30.1 scoreless innings. An 11th round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the June 2005 Draft out of Auburn University, the 6-foot-5 righthander was also named the Skeeters' starting pitcher in the first-ever Atlantic League Playoff game at Constellation Field on September 17, 2013. Over nine career minor league seasons, Nix is 43-38 with a 3.84 ERA (256ER/599.2IP) and 572 strikeouts.

Rockett, 26, returns after playing 87 games with the Skeeters in 2013, primarily in the outfield. He hit .221 (57x258) with eight doubles and 27 RBI last season. Prior to joining the Skeeters, the Sugar Land native spent four seasons in the Detroit Tigers minor league system, reaching as high as Triple A Toledo in 2009. Drafted by Detroit in the 13th round of the June 2009 Draft out of the University of Texas - San Antonio, Rockett owns a career .244 (359x1473) average over five professional minor league seasons.

Young, 31, comes to Sugar Land following a two-season stint with the Atlantic League's Camden Riversharks (2012-13). Last year, Young hit .269 (119x443) with 13 homers and a team-leading 67 RBI. Prior to joining the Atlantic League, he spent parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues with Los Angeles-NL (2006-08) and Pittsburgh (2009-10), combining for a .258 (183x710) average. Over 11 minor league seasons, he owns a career .288 (1087x3769) average with 603 RBI. A native of California, Young was drafted three times as an amateur, ultimately signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the June 2002 Draft.

Skeeters Professional Tryout Registrations Due March 20

The Sugar Land Skeeters will hold a two-day professional tryout on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, at Constellation Field.

Pitcher and catcher tryouts are scheduled for Saturday, March 22, beginning at 10 a.m. Position players, including catchers, will then report on Sunday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Those interested in participating may visit www.sugarlandskeeters.com/team/tryoutinfo and complete the registration. Registration cost is $75 per player and includes a tryout camp T-shirt.

For more information, visit the Skeeters' website (SugarLandSkeeters.com) or e-mail tryouts@sugarlandskeeters.com. All registrations should be completed and returned to the Skeeters by Thursday, March 20, as the tryout camp will be capped at 100 participants.

The Skeeters 2014 promotional schedule, game schedule and individual game tickets are now available on the team's website. For more information on how to purchase tickets for Opening Day, the Atlantic League All-Star Game, Independence Day Celebration and the rest of the 2014 season, please call 281.240.4487 or visit the team's website.

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