Wingnuts Trim Roster to 22

May 13, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS (May 13, 2014) - With two days remaining until the first pitch of the 2014 regular season, the Wichita Wingnuts have reduced their roster to 22 players, the league maximum for regular season play.

The 2014 Wingnuts' opening night roster includes nine players who have suited up for the team previously. Former Major Leaguers Jon Link and Brent Clevlen return to guide the pitching staff and offense respectively. Back to turn double plays together for the third straight season is the exciting middle infield duo of shortstop Ryan Khoury and second baseman Jake Kahaulelio. Familiar names like Anthony Capra, Justin Klipp, Daniel Bennett, and Matt Nevarez are scattered throughout the pitching staff. Finally, speed demon David Amberson will once again wreak havoc on the base paths around the American Association.

The five-man starting rotation will consist of Link, Capra, Klipp, and a pair of newcomers. The first of the new arms is right-hander Tim Brown, a former standout for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. The efficient Brown, who works rapidly and pounds the strike zone, threw a no-hitter for the Grizzlies last season and was acquired by the Wingnuts in an off-season trade. Filling out the rotation is southpaw Alan Williams, a former Milwaukee Brewers' farmhand. Willams has held left-handed hitters to a .241 batting average during his three year career, but showed the ability to retire batters from either side of the plate this spring.

In addition to returning relievers Bennett and Nevarez, the Wichita bullpen will consist of Alex Hinshaw, Patrick Mincey, Matt Robertson, Jason Van Skike, and Mike Zouzalik. Hinshaw, is another former big-leaguer, who will be beginning his tenth professional season. The 31-year old left-hander spent parts of the 2008 and 2009 campaigns with the San Francisco Giants before splitting the 2012 season between the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. Mincey posted a 1.01 ERA and 24 saves as the closer for the Grand Prairie AirHogs in 2013. The Wingnuts acquired the right-hander in exchange for third baseman Abel Nieves this off-season. Robertson, the youngest brother of owner Nate, General Manager Josh, and pitching coach Luke, earned a role after working five scoreless exhibition innings. Van Skike and Zouzalik are both young right-handers who combined to work seven scoreless innings this spring.

Playing the corners beside Khoury and Kahaulelio this season will be a combination of power hitters including Dillon Hazlett, Chun-Hsiu Chen, and J.T. Wise. Hazlett, a Topeka native, figures to play a majority of the time at third base after manning the hot corner for most of the seven exhibition games. Chen, a Taiwanese product that reached Triple-A with the Cleveland Indians, and Wise, the 2009 Johnny Bench Award winner at Oklahoma, will split time at first base and designated hitter. Both have experience behind home plate as well.

Patrolling the outfield along with Clevlen and Amberson will be former Kansas City Royals prospect Carlo Testa. The 27-year old lefty comes to Wichita after spending a majority of the 2013 season playing for the Traverse City Beach Bums. While there, he hit .271 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. Do-everything utility man Taylor Oldham appears to have the ability to wear many shoes, as he can play all three outfield positions in addition to anywhere on the infield.

Rounding out the roster is the catcher Chris McMurray. McMurray has previous experience in the American Association with both Grand Prairie and Lincoln and has had the eye of the Wingnuts' staff for years. The backstop has thrown out 36 percent of attempted base stealers in his six year career. Last season McMurray called games for affiliates in both the Diamondbacks and White Sox farm systems.

Right-handed pitcher Jack Wagoner was traded to Gary SouthShore for a player to be named to later, while Nelson Curry, Michael Schlact, Erik Lambe, Jose Roman, Chad Kruse, and Mike McCarthy were released and have become free agents.

The seventh season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 15th against the Grand Prairie AirHogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. 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 .



American Association Stories from May 13, 2014


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