Wingnuts Add Dynamic Trio of Relievers
April 24, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts strengthened their bullpen on Wednesday, signing relief pitchers Nathan Kilcrease, Daniel Bennett, and Tyler White.
Kilcrease posted dominant numbers last season, splitting time at the Low-A level with the Midwest League's Burlington Bees (Oakland Athletics) and the South Atlantic League's West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates). The right-hander finished with a combined 1.28 ERA in 37 games, and was a perfect 15 for 15 in save opportunities. Kilcrease struck out 42 and walked only 11 in 49.1 total innings. The Columbus, GA native did not allow an earned run in 32 of 37 appearances, and had a stretch of 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run from May 31st through July 23rd.
"Nathan had many opportunities to go elsewhere in our league, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to sign him," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "His career numbers are outstanding and he deserves to have another shot in affiliated ball. I have heard nothing but great things about him, and I am very excited about him being a key piece in our bullpen."
Kilcrease is entering his third season of professional baseball and owns a 1.81 ERA in 57 lifetime appearances. The 5-foot-6, 180-pound Kilcrease has averaged 7.9 strikeouts versus 1.8 walks, and has yielded just one home run in 79.2 career innings. Kilcrease was originally drafted by the Athletics in the 30th round in 2011 following a stellar, four-year career at the University of Alabama. The 23-year-old Kilcrease served as both a Friday night starter and a closer during his time with the Crimson Tide, and holds Alabama's record for career appearances.
Bennett spent last season in the Detroit Tigers' organization, and was 7-3 with 11 saves and a 2.94 ERA between High-A Lakeland (Florida State League) and Low-A West Michigan (Midwest League). A right-hander who works from a sidearm angle, Bennett struck out 61 and allowed just two home runs in 52.0 innings pitched. Bennett did not allow an earned run in 37 of 46 total appearances, and held right-handed hitters to a .175 average. Bennett helped Lakeland capture the Florida State League championship, and struck out nine in five and two-thirds postseason innings.
"Daniel is another guy who deserves a second chance in affiliated ball given his career numbers," said Hooper. "After losing Jared Simon to retirement, we were fortunate to find another sidearm right-hander for our bullpen. He gives us yet another piece that will be a key contributor in our bullpen."
Bennett is also in his third season of professional baseball, and is 9-4 with 22 saves and a 2.13 ERA in 84.2 career innings. The Tallahassee, FL native has struck out 100 against 30 walks and three home runs over his first two pro campaigns. Bennett was drafted by the Tigers in the 19th round in 2011 after playing two seasons of college baseball in his hometown at Florida State University. Bennett was a combined 8-2 with 18 saves and a 2.73 ERA for the Seminoles, and helped them reach the 2010 College World Series. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Bennett struck out five and allowed one earned run in four innings of long relief during Florida State's elimination game at Omaha that season. A 24-year-old, Bennett also pitched two seasons at Tallahassee Community College where he holds school records for both single season and career appearances.
White was a teammate of Kilcrease at Alabama, and a teammate of Bennett in the Tigers' organization. A right-hander, White fanned 67 batters in 57.1 innings over 32 appearances last season while pitching for both Lakeland and West Michigan. White worked more than one inning in 21 of his 32 outings, and pitched two innings or more in 19 of them. The Flowood, MS native did not allow a run during the postseason, and helped Lakeland win the Florida State League title.
"Tyler is a right-handed power arm with great strikeout numbers in his career," said Hooper. "He is going to be another great option for us down in the bullpen. He pitched at a big-time college program at Alabama, and I have received nothing but great reports on him."
White is in his fourth year of professional baseball and is 3-4 in his career with four saves and a 4.38 ERA over 61 games. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound White has averaged 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings, while allowing just two home runs in 98.2 lifetime innings. The 23-year-old pitched to a 1.17 ERA in 2011, and has finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched in each of his first three pro seasons. White was drafted by the Tigers out of Alabama in the 20th round in 2010 and posted a 2.28 ERA for the Crimson Tide with 37 strikeouts in 27.2 innings as a redshirt freshman in 2009.
The Wingnuts have also placed infielder Marc Tarantola on waivers, leaving their roster at 27 players officially under contract for the 2013 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 4th.
2013 Wingnuts Signings
OF David Amberson
C Cole Armstrong
RHP Daniel Bennett
IF Blake Bergeron
C Kieran Bradford
RHP Mike Burns
LHP Anthony Capra
RHP Josh Dew
RHP Junior Guerra
RHP Lincoln Holdzkom
2B Jake Kahaulelio
RHP Nathan Kilcrease
SS Ryan Khoury
LHP Kristhiam Linares
RHP Jon Link
IF/OF Jared McDonald
3B Abel Nieves
OF Derek Perren
DH John Rodriguez
LHP Daniel Schmidt
RHP Bryce Shafer
RHP Chris Smith
RHP Kyle Wahl
LHP Nick Walters
RHP Tyler White
C Stephen Yoo
1B C.J. Ziegler
The 2013 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 16th against the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Prior to the game, a ceremony celebrating the life of bench coach Brian Rose will take place.
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted. Fans can resolve outstanding balances on cash cards from previous years until June 1st, 2013.
For season tickets, group outings, or 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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