Wingnuts Trade for Watts, Hope He Can be Lights Out
July 4, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (July 4, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts have gone with a closer by committee approach since Matt Nevarez joined the Mexican League. The team believes they have found a man to hand the ball to with the lead in the ninth. The Nuts acquired Grand Prairie closer Dakota Watts in exchange for cash on Friday. In addition, starting pitcher Scott Richmond was removed from the active roster to participate in the Pan-Am Games with the Canadian National Team and reliever Daniel Carela was traded to Rockland for cash and a player to be named later.
Watts appeared in nine games out of the bullpen for Grand Prairie at the outset of the season before joining the Mexican League. He was 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA and recorded one save with the AirHogs. In 10.2 innings he allowed seven runs, three of them earned, while whiffing 15 opposing hitters. The 27-year old made his last six appearances this year with the Acereros de Monclova. In Mexico he recorded a single save and gave up four runs in 5.2 frames.
Watts saved 21 games last season for Grand Prairie, his first in independent ball. He was selected in the 16th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. In five years in their farm system the native of Oroville, California played at least a portion of the season at Double-A new Britain four times. Despite posting a career earned run average with the Twins of 3.85 and allowing just three earned runs in 26.1 innings at Double-A in 2013, he was released following the season.
Richmond made two starts for the Wingnuts since joining the club on June 25th. He is currently 1-1 and will re-join the team after the conclusion of the Pan-Am Games in late July.
The 27-year old Carela was 1-0 with a 6.43 ERA and one save in 16 games out of the bullpen. The hard-thrower allowed only nine hits in 14.0 innings, but issued 13 walks and gave up 10 runs. He will join the Can-Am league's first place team and pitch in his home state of New York with the Boulders.
Watts has joined the Wingnuts in Amarillo as the team gets set to continue a three-game series with game two on Saturday evening at 6:05 p.m. 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.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from July 4, 2015
- AirHogs Walk Over Lemurs - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- American Association Results - AA
- T-Bones Light up RailCats - Kansas City Monarchs
- Sioux Falls' Bats Are Silenced - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Straka Gets 11 Ks On Independence Day - Sioux City Explorers
- Red, White, and Blues: Gartrell Home Run Lifts Amarillo to 5-4 Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes and Champions Washed Away - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Trade for Watts, Hope He Can be Lights Out - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Proceeds from July 4 Jersey Auction Will Raise Money for Charleston Community - St. Paul Saints
- Cats Bats Are Silent in 2-0 Shut out Loss at Kansas City - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Blown Chances, Bullpen Cost 'Dogs in Come-From-Ahead Loss - Lincoln Saltdogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
