Nuts Bring in Former Clemson Catcher Nester

May 4, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS (May 4, 2015) - With under a week until the first exhibition game of the 2015 season, the Wichita Wingnuts have a few open spots on their roster to be filled. The biggest remaining need was a catcher to pair with the re-signed Brent Dean behind the plate. As of Monday, that is no longer a pressing issue with the team announcing the signing of John Nester.

The 25-year old Nester spent the 2014 season at three different affiliates in the San Diego Padres farm system. He began the season in High-A Lake Elsinore where he saw 36 games of action behind the dish.  In his time with the Storm, Nester hit .211 with a home run and nine RBI. The Padres sent him to the Arizona Rookie League for six games before he resurfaced with Single-A Fort Wayne in the Midwest League in early August. His offense was much improved at this stop, evidenced by his 15 hits in 50 at-bats, a .300 average.

Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Nester attended high school in South Carolina and decided to play his college ball at in-state power Clemson University.  During his freshman season, he played in 30 games and batted .256 which led to him becoming the regular starter at catcher for each of the next two seasons. As a sophomore in 2005, he enjoyed his best offensive year with the Tigers by blasting five home runs, driving in 33 runs, and maintaining a .304 average. After catching in 52 games his junior season, Nester was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 39th round of the 2010 draft and chose to begin his professional career.

He began his career by catching 22 games with the A's Low-A affiliate in Vancouver at the end of the 2011 campaign. In each of the next two seasons, Nester applied the trade in Single-A Burlington, combining to hit just north of .200 in 154 games while throwing out 26% of attempted base stealers.

In 2013, the right-handed hitter spent all year with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League and caught most of the team's games. He enjoyed the best season of his career both offensively and defensively with the Otters. At the plate he batted a career-high .287 with 18 doubles, five home runs, and 28 RBI while drawing 32 walks. Defensively, he threw out runners at a career-best 34% rate.

The signing of Nester increases the 2015 roster to a total of 26 players. The roster can include up to 28 players until two days prior to the start of the regular season when it must be trimmed to 22. The eighth season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins on Thursday, May 21st in Joplin, with the home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes taking place 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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