Second Wingnuts Pitcher Purchased in Three Day Span
August 6, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (August 6, 2015) - It has been no secret that the Wichita Wingnuts pitching staff has been a huge factor in the team's rise to the top of the South Division standings. It was only a matter of time before Major League organizations started to take notice. Shortly after Dakota Watts was picked up by the Texas Rangers, the Minnesota Twins announced that they had purchased the contract of starting pitcher Omar Bencomo on Thursday morning.
Even before this move, Bencomo has had a year filled with packing suitcases and bouncing from city to city. Bencomo made two starts for the Wingnuts at the outset of the campaign and was 1-0 with a 2.46 ERA in 11.0 innings of work. He had recorded 12 strikeouts and walked three opponents. In his first appearance in Wichita he shutout the Winnipeg Goldeyes by facing the minimum through 6.0 innings.
After the second start he was dealt to Laredo in exchange for first baseman Matt Padgett. The 25-year old was named the American Association Pitcher of the Week in his first week with the Lemurs. Following four impressive games with the Wingnuts' division rival, Bencomo was traded back to Wichita for Dustin Geiger. With both teams he has combined to post a 6-1 record with a 3.19 ERA. He has struck out 72 and walked just 16 in 84.2 innings this year. He put a stamp on his time with the Nuts by striking out eight hitters and allowing just one run on three hits over 8.0 innings during his last start on July 31st.
A native Venezuelan, Bencomo began his professional career in his home country at the age of 18 as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' entry in the Venezuelan League for 2007. The right-hander went 2-3 with a 2.89 earned run average in 12 appearances, eight of which came as a starter. In 46.2 innings he struck out 31 batters and walked only six on his way to being named the Rays' Venezuelan League Pitcher of the Year.
After one more year in Venezuela, Bencomo came stateside for the first time in 2009. Pitching for Princeton, a rookie-level team in the Appalachian League, he started all nine of his appearances and posted a 2-1 record with a 3.47 ERA. Due to his consistent performances, he was promoted one level in each of his next two seasons, eventually reaching single-A Bowling Green for the 2011 campaign. Pitching solely as a reliever in all 12 appearances that season, he was released by Tampa Bay.
He sat out the 2012 season entirely, but has played winter ball in Venezuela the past two seasons for the Bravos de Margarita (Margarita Braves).
Bencomo is the 32nd Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization and the sixth in 2015. Below is the complete list of players who have had their contracts purchased after playing in Wichita. Bencomo is expected to be assigned to the Twins Advanced-A affiliate in Fort Myers.
Wingnuts Sold to Major League Organizations
OF Dustan Mohr, 2008 - Colorado Rockies
OF Blake Gailen, 2008 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
RHP Will Savage, 2010 - Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Ben Graham, 2010 - Washington Nationals
LHP Justin Dowdy, 2010 - Tampa Bay Rays
OF Ryan Patterson, 2011 - Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Dustin Pease, 2011 - San Diego Padres
RHP Cephas Howard, 2011 - Texas Rangers
OF Kenny Gilbert, 2011 - Chicago White Sox
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Cincinnati Reds
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Philadelphia Phillies
SS Jose Martinez, 2012 - Houston Astros
LHP Nate Robertson, 2012 - Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2012 - Tampa Bay Rays
RHP Andrew Aizenstadt, 2012 - Philadelphia Phillies
RHP James Hoyt, 2012 - Atlanta Braves
OF David Peralta, 2012 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Adam Buschini, 2013 - San Diego Padres
RHP Jon Link, 2013 - Detroit Tigers
LHP Ryan Hinson, 2013 - Atlanta Braves
1B C.J. Ziegler, 2013 - Minnesota Twins
C J.T. Wise, 2014 - Texas Rangers
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Jon Link, 2014 - Miami Marlins
RHP Chris Peacock, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Carlo Testa, 2014 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Jake Luce, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jhonathan Ramos, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jarret Leverett, 2015 - San Francisco Giants
SS Alberto Gonzalez, 2015 - Detroit Tigers
RHP Dakota Watts, 2015 - Texas Rangers
RHP Omar Bencomo, 2015 - Minnesota Twins
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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