Wingnuts Return Ace, Trade for Former Shocker
Published on March 24, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts strengthened their pitching staff on Thursday, re-signing Nick Singleton and acquiring former Wichita State University right-hander Jared Simon.
Singleton has been one of the top pitchers in the American Association since first joining the league in 2008. The right-hander went 7-3 for the Wingnuts last season, and led the league with a 2.36 ERA. In 87.2 innings of work, The 6-foot, 180-pound Singleton struck out 73 while allowing just 73 hits and 39 walks. The 2.36 ERA paced the American Association by more than seven tenths of a run, and marked the second time in three years Singleton captured the league's ERA title. The Montgomery, AL native allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 15 starts. Singleton, who will be 28 on opening night, started the American Association All-Star Game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium last July. In his next start at Pensacola, Singleton suffered a hand injury while fielding a comebacker that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
"Nick is a true ace of a pitching staff in many ways", said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He is a great pitcher on the mound and also a great leader for our younger guys in the clubhouse. We are ready to give him the ball on May 12th at Amarillo as our opening night starter. Luke (Robertson) and I had wanted to get him for a long time, and we are glad that he is on our side for a second year."
Singleton is 34-26 in his career with a 3.17 ERA in 565.2 innings. Prior to joining the Wingnuts via trade last season, Singleton spent two years with the Sioux City Explorers. Singleton was 14-11 for Sioux City with a combined 3.21 ERA that included a league leading mark of 2.24 in 2008. At the end of the 2008 season, Singleton was named the American Association's Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. Following his college career at Auburn University-Montgomery, Singleton joined the professional ranks in 2005 with the Pensacola Pelicans, then members of the Central League. After one season in Pensacola, Singleton pitched two seasons for the Golden League's Chico Outlaws, finishing second in the league in ERA in 2006 at 2.77.
Simon was acquired from the Frontier League's Evansville Otters in exchange for infielder Joseph Spiers. Simon had a dominant 2010 season, notching seven saves with a 1.90 ERA in 37 relief outings. Simon struck out 34 against 14 walks, and allowed just 29 hits in 38.0 IP. The 26-year old sidearmer yielded only one home run the entire season, and held right-handers to a .177 batting average.
"We acquired Jared in trade and he is going to add to our bullpen depth", said Hooper. "He is a three-quarter/sidearm guy who is real tough on right-handed hitters. Jared will add some local flavor as a WSU guy who also lives in Wichita. I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table."
Simon is entering his fifth season of professional baseball. After finishing a four-year career at Wichita State in 2007, Simon latched on with Slippery Rock in the Frontier League and posted a 1.46 ERA in 37.0 IP. The following season, Simon was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies organization and ranked third in the low-A South Atlantic League with 30 saves while pitching for the Lakewood BlueClaws. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Simon spent one more year with the Phillies before joining Evansville last summer.
Singleton and Simon give the Wingnuts 19 players under contract for the 2011 season.
2011 Wingnuts Signings
RHP Cole Akins
RHP Kendy Batista
C Edwin Bellorin
LHP Josh Berry
RHP Josh Dew
2B Jason Diaz
IF D.J. Dixon
RHP Reyes Dorado
LHP Eric Gilliland
RHP Junior Guerra
C Ben Harty
SS Josh Horn
RHP Brandon Mathes
RHP David Miller
RHP Jared Simon
RHP Nick Singleton
C Jeff Stevens
RHP Sean Teague
OF Eric Williams
The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos. Season tickets, mini packs, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS or by visiting the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
American Association Stories from March 24, 2011
- Wingnuts Return Ace, Trade for Former Shocker - Wichita Wingnuts
- See Rusty in the Region and Win Free Stuff - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- 2011 Open Tryouts to Take Place April 30 - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
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