Wingnuts Trade for Two, Grybash Retires
Published on January 4, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts acquired two pitchers on Wednesday, trading for left-hander Nick Walters and right-hander Alex Kaminsky.
Walters starred for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies last season, going 2-1 with one save and a 2.81 ERA in 39 relief appearances. The left-hander struck out 54 batters in 41.2 innings of work, averaging 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Walters also allowed just 20 base hits, holding opponents to a .145 batting average. Walters had five separate outings last year in which all of his outs were recorded via strikeout.
A native of Phoenix, AZ, Walters had an even better season for Gateway in 2010 where he was 5-0 with three saves and a career-low 1.14 ERA. Walters struck out 71 in just 47.1 innings that year--an average of 13.5 strikeouts per nine--while scattering a paltry 18 base hits.
"Nick is a left-hander we just acquired via trade whom I am very excited to see," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He will be a big part of our bullpen, and hopefully it won't be long before he gets another chance in affiliated ball. I have heard nothing but great things about Nick, not only as a pitcher, but as a person as well, which is always at the top of my list."
Walters was a 31st round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2004, and is entering his eighth year of professional baseball. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Walters is 16-14 in his career with 13 saves and a 3.20 ERA. In 290.0 lifetime innings pitched, Walters has averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and has finished with more strikeouts than innings pitched in five of his seven pro seasons. Walters spent two years with the White Sox before latching on with the Oakland Athletics' organization where he reached the High-A California League in both 2007 and 2009.
Kaminsky is a third-year professional who split time with three different American Association clubs in 2011. The rookie right-hander was a combined 7-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 25 games--15 of them starts--for Fargo-Moorhead, El Paso, and Shreveport-Bossier. The Fostoria, OH native totaled 101.2 innings, striking out 88 and walking 43. On July 24th, Kaminsky worked six and two-thirds innings to earn a win against the Wingnuts while pitching for El Paso.
"Alex had a pretty good year in our league for a rookie. When you have to have four rookies on the roster, someone like Alex becomes really valuable. We've heard really good things about him from a lot of people, and there were other teams interested in him. We had a neat little bond right away when I found out he had watched me play in Toledo for a number of years. He's excited for the opportunity, and will compete for a spot in our rotation."
Following a succesful, four-year career at Wright State University, Kaminsky signed with the Cleveland Indians as a non-drafted free agent in 2010. Kaminsky--who will be 24 on opening night--had excellent numbers during his lone year with the Indians. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound righty worked to a 2.37 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 72.0 innings. Kaminsky finished the season in Double-A Akron where he fired three scoreless innings. Kaminsky was 21-9 in his career at Wright State with a 4.39 ERA in 56 appearances.
Kaminsky and infielder Jonathan Johnson were acquired in December from Laredo in exchange for infielder Jimmy Mojica and right-handed pitcher Marcos Tabata. Johnson was traded to Gateway the following week to acquire Walters.
The Wingnuts also learned that pitcher Dan Grybash has announced his retirement. Grybash started the Wingnuts' second game of 2011 at Amarillo before exiting with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
"Walking away from the game is hard because it's defined who I've been for so long," said Grybash. "But it's nice to be able to look back and see where baseball has taken me. I tell people all the time, it wasn't about the money. It was about going out and competing, and being around my teammates everyday."
The Chicago native pitched for eight seasons and finishes with a lifetime 41-25 record and a 3.77 ERA. Grybash finished with a winning record six times during his eight-year career. The right-hander was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003 out of Carthage College, and reached the High-A Florida State League during his three years with the organization.
Grybash joined the independent ranks in 2005 and helped the Fort Worth Cats to consecutive championships in 2005 (Central League) and 2006 (American Association). After one season of pitching in his hometown for the Northern League's Schaumburg Flyers, Grybash returned to Fort Worth for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and helped the Cats return to the playoffs both years. Shoulder surgery forced Grybash to miss the entire 2010 season, eventually leading him to Wichita this past summer.
"My career was about as up and down as it gets," said Grybash, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. "I was a small kid in high school. When I was younger, I never thought any of this would happen.
"I loved Wichita, even though it was only for two-thirds of an inning. I have no regrets about trying to come back and play. Everything with the Wingnuts was a great experience. The Robertsons are like a second family. They all treated me really great. And Hoop was a great guy to play for. I love how he made people accountable, and I couldn't have asked for a better manager to end my career with."
The Wingnuts now have six players under contract for the 2012 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th.
2012 Wingnuts Signings RHP Alex Kaminsky LHP Shawn Joy RHP Josh Lowey RHP Brandon Mathes C Eric Rodriguez LHP Nick Walters
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.
American Association Stories from January 4, 2012
- Wingnuts Trade for Two, Grybash Retires - Wichita Wingnuts
- Cruz Signed by Orioles - Amarillo ThunderHeads
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