Wingnuts Bring Back Utility Man Loehrs; Activate Hinshaw
Published on May 26, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 26, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts have signed free agent, and member of last year's Central Division championship team, utility player Colt Loehrs. In addition, former big-league left-hander Alex Hinshaw has been activated, which brings the Wingnuts' active roster to the league maximum of 22 players for the first time this year.
Loehrs was initially acquired by the Wingnuts in a trade with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the United League during the final week of spring training in 2013. The Kansas native hit .279 in 40 games with Wichita last year. He added a pair of home runs, 14 RBI, seven steals, and drew seven walks, while striking out 15 times. Loehrs had attended camp with the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzles this season.
Loehrs (pronounced LEERS) was an all-star in the Pecos League last season, hitting .353 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 51 games for the Trinidad Triggers. The 24-year-old Loehrs hit safely in 42 of 51 contests and went consecutive games without a base hit just once the entire season. Loehrs--who has rookie status in the American Association--began his professional career in 2011 with the Pecos League's Las Cruces Vaqueros where he batted .429 and collected a hit in each of the 11 games he played in.
A right-handed hitter and fielder, Loehrs is a graduate of Arkansas City High School and played two seasons of college baseball at Arkansas Tech University. Loehrs hit .332 for the Wonder Boys during his senior season in 2011 with six homers and 37 RBI in 50 games. Loehrs also played two years at Cowley County Community College where he earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore in 2009.
Loehrs fills the roster spot that was vacated when the team released third baseman Dillon Hazlett. The Topeka, Kansas native had struggled with injury all season and was hitting .184 with an RBI at the time of his departure.
Hinshaw, who pitched for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs in three MLB seasons, joins the active roster for the first time this season after being signed just prior to the start of the regular season. Hinshaw gives the Wingnuts a left-handed option out of the bullpen for the first time this year.
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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