Wingnuts Sign Veteran Slugger, Chen Returns Home
Published on May 23, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 23, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts signed veteran outfielder Mike Hernandez on Wednesday after clean-up hitter and first baseman Chun-Hsiu Chen signed a contract that allowed him to return to his home country of Taiwan.
The 30-year old Hernandez will be playing in his ninth season of professional baseball this year. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 45th round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma. Hernandez decided instead to transfer to Oklahoma State University and eventually began his career in the Detroit Tigers' farm system in 2006. During his first two years he hit .267 with 37 home runs and 169 RBI in 221 games. Following the 2007 season Hernandez was traded to the Texas Rangers as part of the trade that brought Armando Gallaraga to Detroit.
The Brooklyn native was released by Texas shortly after the trade, before signing with the home state New York Mets. In one year with the Mets Hernandez reached as high as Advanced-A St. Lucie and hit .293 for the season.
Hernandez spent the next four years playing independent ball for three different teams in the Atlantic League. His best performance in that league came in 2010 when he hit .303 and added 15 long balls and 56 RBI. The Tigers gave him another shot in 2013 and he made it to Double-A Erie once again before being granted his release and finishing the campaign with the Atlantic League's York Revolution.
After beginning his collegiate career with two seasons at Connors State Junior College the right-handed slugger transferred to Oklahoma State, where he finished his eligibility. For his career, Hernandez is a .277 hitter with 95 long balls, 427 RBI, and a .463 slugging percentage.
A roster spot was made available for Hernandez when Chen joined the Chii Lih Coral of the Taiwan Summer League. The big first baseman was hitting .182 with a double, triple, and team-leading five RBI at the time of his departure rom Wichita.
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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