AtL High Point Rockers

Rockers Add Pitchers, Return a Catcher

Published on September 22, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release


HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point Rockers are filling up the transaction sheet this week, adding pitchers Gunnar Kines and Jheyson Manzueta, as well as bringing back catcher Logan Moore.

Kines, a Conway, S.C. native, joins the Rockers after pitching for Southern Illinois in the Frontier League in 2021. He posted a 3-3 record in 15 starts with a 4.79 ERA. Kines has been a strikeout pitcher throughout his career, and 2021 has been no different with 70 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched.

A draft pick of the Miami Marlins in 2015 from the University of Mount Olive (Mount Olive, N.C.), Kines has spent most of his career in the independent leagues, pitching four seasons for the Schaumberg Boomers in the Frontier League. He has also pitched for the Adelaide Giants and the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League.

Kines was the scheduled starting pitcher for Tuesday night's game against the Lancaster Barnstormers before the game was rained out.

Manzueta, a hard-throwing righty who hits 98 miles per hour with his fastball, just completed a solid season with Cleburne in the American Association. For the Railroaders, he went 7-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 15 starts. Out of professional baseball since 2015, Manzueta became Cleburne's top starter in 2021.

Manzueta began his career in the Florida Marlins organization where he was shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen, never finding extended success in either role. However, since joining the independent league ranks, Manzueta has developed into one of the more consistent and dependable starting pitchers.

Moore returns to the Rockers after having his contract selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in late June. Moore's return to the Rockers pairs him with Stuart Levy and Mike Gulino, giving High Point one of the strongest trios of catchers in the ALPB for the stretch run.

In order to make room on their roster for the new additions, the High Point Rockers released relief pitcher Joey Hennessey. Hennessey was solid in his tenure with the Rockers, posting a 1-2 record with a 4.18 ERA and 30 strikeouts in only 23 innings of work.

Following Tuesday's rainout, the Rockers and Lancaster Barnstormers are set to begin their series Wednesday night at Truist Point. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

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