Righty and Lefty Added to Wingnuts' Pitching Mix
Published on April 19, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added two pitchers to their roster on Tuesday, signing right-hander Anthony Shawler and left-hander Ryan Hinson.
Shawler pitched for two affiliates in the Detroit Tigers' organization last year, including significant time at the Double-A level. The 23-year old opened the season with Lakeland in the High-A Florida State League, pitching to a 0.96 ERA in 11 relief outings. In 18.2 IP for the Flying Tigers, Shawler struck out 15 and walked just one. The Chesapeake, VA native was promoted to Double-A Erie in mid-May where he served in a dual role as a starter and reliever. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound righty appeared in 28 games for the SeaWolves, 12 of them as a starting pitcher. Shawler logged 102.1 innings in Double-A, striking out 83 and walking 22.
"Anthony will come into camp competing for a spot in our rotation," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He has great career numbers throughout his time in the minor leagues so far. Anthony is young with some good experience on his resume and hopefully has a bright future still ahead of him."
Shawler is 15-12 with a 3.57 ERA in his three years of professional baseball, all spent with the Tigers. A former ninth round pick in 2008, Shawler has 250 strikeouts against 72 walks in 279.2 career IP. Shawler was drafted out of Old Dominion University where he starred as a pitcher and outfielder for three seasons. During his sophomore campaign in 2007, Shawler was 11-2 with a 2.20 ERA, and earned All-American honors from Louisville Slugger, the American Baseball Coaches Association, and Baseball America. Over his final two seasons at Old Dominion, Shawler also hit .310 with a combined 75 RBI in 96 games.
Hinson enters his third season of professional baseball, having spent each of the first two in the San Diego Padres' organization. The lefty was limited to 13 games in 2010 due to injury, but still averaged more than a strikeout per inning for a second straight season. The Rock Hill, SC native fanned 12 in 11.1 IP, sharing time at the Rookie and Short Season-A levels.
"Ryan is another guy who will have a shot to crack our rotation," said Hooper. "He also has spent quite a bit of time in the bullpen which is very valuable. He gives you a lot of options and has a good arm from the left side."
Hinson reached High-A with Lake Elsinore during his pro debut in 2009. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Hinson appeared in 22 games, striking out 48 over 44.0 IP. The Padres selected Hinson in the 10th round in 2009 out of Clemson University. The 23-year old pitched four years for the Tigers and left with a 3.69 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 219.1 career innings.
The Wingnuts now have 27 players under contract for the 2011 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training which begins on May 2nd. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Day, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season.
2011 Wingnuts Signings RHP Cole Akins C Edwin Bellorin LHP Josh Berry OF Evan Button 1B Jorge Delgado RHP Josh Dew 2B Jason Diaz IF D.J. Dixon RHP Reyes Dorado IF Thomas Fitzgerald LHP Eric Gilliland RHP Dan Grybash RHP Junior Guerra C Ben Harty LHP Ryan Hinson SS Josh Horn RHP Cephas Howard LHP Trent Lare RHP Brandon Mathes RHP David Miller OF Ryan Patterson 3B Juan Richardson RHP Anthony Shawler RHP Jared Simon RHP Nick Singleton C Jeff Stevens RHP Sean Teague
The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
American Association Stories from April 19, 2011
- Brasfield Joins AirHogs as VP/GM - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- 2011 RailCats Promotional Calendar: Phase Six - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- AirHogs Name Brasfield VP/GM - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- T-Bones Announce 2011 Promotions Schedule - Kansas City Monarchs
- Righty and Lefty Added to Wingnuts' Pitching Mix - Wichita Wingnuts
- April 19 High School Challenge Game Postponed - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- X's Strengthen Bullpen - Sioux City Explorers
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.
