Wingnuts Solidify Outfield with All-Star Nehrir
April 23, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, Kans. - The Wichita Wingnuts announced Monday that the team has signed two-time Minor League All-Star Zach Nehrir for the 2018 season.
Nehrir comes to the Wingnuts after spending parts of three seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, most recently with Class-A Kane County. The right-handed hitting outfielder was a 2015 16th round pick by the Diamondbacks out of Houston Baptist University, where he hit .333 as a senior to earn All-Conference honors. Arizona assigned Nehrir to short-season Hillsboro for his professional debut, and the Orange, Calif., native impressed immediately with a .297 average with 15 doubles over the course of 40 games. He was tabbed a Northwest League Mid-Season All-Star for his performance.
Nehrir was promoted to Kane County the following season, and once again the 25-year old got off to a blistering start, hitting .299 before a hand injury and mid-season swoon left his final average at .242 for the Cougars. Nehrir was still selected as a Midwest League All-Star, and received a call-up to High-A Visalia for 18 games midway through the 2016 season.
The Diamondbacks released Nehrir 17 games into the 2017 campaign, split between Kane County and Visalia. For his professional career, Nehrir is a .246 hitter with two home runs and 25 stolen bases in 38 attempts. The 6'2, 205 pounder has experience at all three outfield spots, though 86 of his 110 minor league starts have come as a centerfielder, where he owns a .981 fielding percentage.
The signing of Nehrir brings the number of Wingnuts players under contract for the 2018 season up to 28. 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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