Wingnuts Add Tough Lefty to Pen
Published on April 29, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts signed pitcher Joe Testa on Monday.
Testa struck out 37 batters in 42.2 innings pitched last season while splitting time with the Washington Nationals' High-A (Potomac) and Double-A (Harrisburg) affiliates. In 2011, the left-hander posted a 1.42 ERA for Potomac with 34 strikeouts and just 26 hits allowed over 38.0 innings. Testa has struck out 91 of the 305 (30 percent) left-handed hitters he has faced during his professional career, while holding them to a .174 batting average.
"Joe is going to give us another great, left-handed option down there in the pen," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He has a lot of experience and very good career numbers. He will add more depth to a solid bullpen that we have already put together. He was a starter in college and gives us an option on that side if we were to ever get into a jam."
Testa is entering his sixth year of professional baseball with an 18-11 career record, 12 saves, and a 3.36 ERA. The Belleville, NJ native has struck out 286 batters in 265.0 lifetime innings (9.7 strikeouts per nine innings), and has finished with an ERA of 3.18 or better in four of his first five seasons. The 27-year-old Testa has also helped his team reach the postseason four times, and was a member of the Potomac Nationals' Carolina League championship squad in 2010. Testa has a 2.16 ERA over seven career playoff appearances. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Testa was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent in 2008. Testa played four seasons at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY where he departed as the school's all-time leader in wins and strikeouts.
The Wingnuts' roster now stands at 28 players officially under contract for the 2013 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins Saturday, 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
LHP Joe Testa
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.
American Association Stories from April 29, 2013
- Wingnuts Add Tough Lefty to Pen - Wichita Wingnuts
- RedHawks Sign Stanton; Burg Signs with Marlins - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Saltdogs Single-Game Tickets Go on Sale May 1 - Lincoln Saltdogs
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