Wingnuts Complete Roster with Veteran Catcher, Power Arm
May 3, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts completed their spring training roster on Thursday, signing catcher Manny Manriquez and pitcher Jose Perez.
Manriquez spent 2011 in the high-minors of the New York Mets' organization. The veteran backstop hit .254 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 60 games for the Double-A Binghamton Mets, and then finished the year by hitting .321 with one home run and seven RBI in 27 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. The Valencia, Venezuela native hit safely in 49 of 87 total games while collecting 19 multi-hit contests. Earlier this spring, Manriquez drove in seven runs in 11 games for the Mexican League's Diablos Rojos del Mexico.
"We were in a last-minute crunch needing to find a quality catcher," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper, "and Manny came about after being recommended by several people. We've been fortunate enough to have great catchers in the past, and I hope Manny can continue that trend. Not only is he a great defensive catcher, but he will also help us out on offense. Being a veteran, I expect a lot out of him, not only in the field, but in the clubhouse as well."
Manriquez is in his 12th season of professional baseball, and was originally signed as an international free agent by the Montreal Expos in 1999. The 29-year-old is a lifetime .270 hitter in 2,998 at bats with 81 home runs and 414 RBI. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Manriquez has averaged 34 doubles, 15 home runs, and 76 RBI per 162 games played in his career. Manriquez has thrown out 26% of opposing base stealers in 676 career games behind the plate, and earned all-star honors with the Atlantic League's Newark Bears in 2009. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Manriquez has six years of experience at the Double-A level and three at the Triple-A level.
Perez shared time with two Los Angeles Angels' affiliates last season (Double-A Arkansas and High-A Inland Empire), and compiled a 4-1 record with three saves and a 2.84 ERA in 21 appearances. The right-hander allowed just 25 hits and struck out 39, which marked the fifth consecutive season in which he has finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched. Perez did not allow a run in 14 of 21 outings, and worked more than one inning 16 times.
"Jose is a guy I am very excited to see in person," said Hooper. "I've received nothing but great reports on his stuff and ability. He is a powerful arm that has put together a great resume throughout his career and should be a big part of our rotation this season."
Perez enters his seventh season of professional baseball with a 20-9 record, four saves, and a 3.18 ERA. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Perez has 320 strikeouts against only 90 walks in 306.0 career innings. A native of Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela, Perez originally signed with the Angels as an international free agent in 2006, and has posted an ERA of 3.90 or better in five of his first six seasons.
The Wingnuts have now filled their 28-man Spring Training roster. The first day of camp is scheduled for this Saturday, while the Wingnuts begin exhibition play Sunday evening when they host Emporia State University at 5:05 p.m. Rosters must be cut down to at least 23 by Opening Night on May 17th, and then trimmed to 22 after the first two weeks of the regular season.
2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Derek Blacksher RHP Josh Dew IF Steve Carrillo RHP Luis Chirinos RHP Derek Christensen OF Mike Conroy OF Mitch Einertson C Taylor Freeman IF Cody Fuqua RHP Ben Graham LHP Ryan Hinson 2B Jake Kahaulelio SS Ryan Khoury RHP Josh Lowey C Manny Manriquez RHP Edgar Martinez 3B Jared McDonald LHP Moises Melendez RHP Derrick Miramontes LHP Jeff Nadeau RHP Matt Nevarez OF David Peralta RHP Jose Perez C Eric Rodriguez OF John Rodriguez RHP Jared Simon LHP Nick Walters 1B C.J. Ziegler
Fans can catch their first glimpse of the 2012 Wichita Wingnuts on Friday, May 4th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, located at 117 N. Mosley St. in Old Town.
The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from May 3, 2012
- Wingnuts Complete Roster with Veteran Catcher, Power Arm - Wichita Wingnuts
- X's Land Big Bat in Sanchez - Sioux City Explorers
- Saints 20th Season Kicks off with Hiway Federal Credit Union World's Largest Game of Catch - St. Paul Saints
- Ranger Returns To Texas - Amarillo ThunderHeads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
