Wingnuts Closer Watts Purchased by Rangers

Published on August 3, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS (August 3, 2015) - When Matt Nevarez decided to take his power arm to Mexico earlier this season, the Wichita Wingnuts were left scrambling to find a proven closer to finish ball games. In a trade with their division rival, the Grand Prairie AirHogs, the Wingnuts received the type of arm they were looking for in Dakota Watts. Nearly a month later, the club will need to begin the same search as Watts' dominant effort caught the eye of the Texas Rangers who purchased his contract on Monday.

Watts was nearly untouchable since joining the Wingnuts in the deal which took place on July 3rd. In 15 appearances with Wichita, he recorded 11 saves and allowed a run in only one of 16.0 innings. He wraps up his time with the squad having posted a 3-0 record and miniscule 0.56 ERA. The Oroville, California native had struck out 17 opponents and had allowed an average of only one hit per every 2.0 innings of work.

Watts appeared in nine games out of the bullpen for Grand Prairie at the outset of the season before joining the Mexican League. He was 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA and recorded one save with the AirHogs. In 10.2 innings he allowed seven runs, three of them earned, while whiffing 15 opposing hitters. The 27-year old made six appearances this year with the Acereros de Monclova. In Mexico he recorded a single save and gave up four runs in 5.2 frames.

The 6-5 right-hander saved 21 games last season for Grand Prairie, his first in independent ball. He was selected in the 16th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. Over the course of five years in their farm system, Watts played at least a portion of the season at Double-A New Britain four times. Despite posting a career earned run average with the Twins of 3.85 and allowing just three earned runs in 26.1 innings at Double-A in 2013, he was released following the season.

Watts is the 31st Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization and the fifth in 2015. Below is the complete list of players who have had their contracts purchased after playing in Wichita. Watts is expected to be assigned to the Rangers Advanced-A affiliate in High Desert.

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

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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