Wingnuts Ink All-Star Closer Haynes
April 10, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, Kans. - With several quality relievers already in the fold, the Wichita Wingnuts added another piece to the bullpen puzzle on Tuesday by announcing the signing of right-handed pitcher Mark Haynes.
Haynes has long been an adversary of the Wingnuts throughout his professional career, having spent all eight of his pro seasons in the independent ranks. In 267 games, the 31-year old owns a 17-21 record with a 4.50 ERA, racking up 43 saves. Haynes has appeared in 203 American Association games, the second highest total in league history behind former Wingnuts reliever Dustin Cameron's 220 outings.
"The signing of Mark just adds another great arm and experienced reliever to our already deep bullpen," Wingnuts manager Brent Clevlen said. "He's been getting outs in the American Association for a long time, and his knowledge of the league will really help our younger guys on the staff."
After pitching collegiately at Rice for three seasons, Haynes latched on with the now-defunct Shreveport-Bossier Captains in 2010. Making 16 appearances that year, the Kansas City, Mo., native helped the Captains to their lone American Association championship, finishing eight games and recording one save. The right-hander remained with the franchise for five more seasons, through its eventual sale and relocation to Laredo in 2012. Originally working for the Lemurs as a starter, Haynes went 4-7 with a 5.18 ERA over 18 starts in 2012, before settling into his role at the back end of the bullpen the following year.
In 2013, Haynes was arguably the league's best reliever. In 51 appearances covering 53.2 innings, the flamethrower posted a 4-2 record and 2.35 ERA. Haynes struck out 61 and allowed only 42 hits. Injuries limited Haynes to just 28 combined appearances over the next two seasons with Laredo and Amarillo, but he bounced back with the Kansas City T-Bones in 2016, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA and a career-best 15 saves. That performance earned him a spot on the American Association North All-Star team, for whom he would work a scoreless frame in that year's mid-season All-Star game. The T-Bones traded Haynes to the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League in September of that year, where he would go on to pile up 13 more saves with a 3.40 ERA in 2017.
The Haynes signing brings the number of Wingnuts players under contract for the 2018 season up to 26. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which opens on May 6.
The 11th season of Wingnuts baseball and the club's pursuit of an eighth consecutive division title kicks off with a three-game home series against the Kansas City T-Bones, beginning on Friday, May 18. 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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American Association Stories from April 10, 2018
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- Wingnuts Ink All-Star Closer Haynes - Wichita Wingnuts
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