Wingnuts Trim Roster to 23
Published on May 20, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 20, 2015) - With just over 24 hours remaining until the first pitch of the 2015 regular season, the Wichita Wingnuts have reduced their roster to 23 players, the league maximum for the first ten days of regular season play.
The 2015 Wingnuts' opening night roster includes seven players who have suited up for the team previously. Three of the five members of the starting rotation and two key bullpen members are back from the pitching staff that posted the lowest ERA in the American Association last season. On the other hand, there are just three position players that fans will recognize from last year's team and only one was an everyday starter.
The five-man starting rotation will consist of the familiar faces of LHP Anthony Capra, RHP Tim Brown, RHP Jason Van Skike as well as newcomers LHP Charlie Lowell and RHP Omar Bencomo. Lowell is a former Wichita State Shocker who spent the first three seasons of his professional career with the Marlins. Bencomo is a native of Valencia, Venezuela and a former Tampa Bay Rays farmhand. For the last two years he has primarily pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League for Margarita.
In addition to returning relievers Daniel Bennett and Matt Nevarez, the Wichita bullpen will consist of Scott Kuzminsky, Scott Shuman, Brad Mincey, Jarret Leverett, Daniel Carela, and Al Yevoli. Kuzminsky is a rookie directly out of the University of Hawaii who will be playing professionally for the first time after an impressive showing in camp. Shuman and Carela both feature hard fastballs in the mid-to upper 90's with the potential to max out in triple digits. Mincey is a former East Carolina Pirate with a heavy sinker that induces groundballs at an alarming rate. Leverett and Yevoli are a pair of young southpaws with the ability to get hitters out from both sides of the plate.
David Espinosa heads the group of position players who will return to Wichita this season. Espinosa, who was acquired in a mid-season trade with Kansas City, played first base for the Nuts down the stretch, but appears to be slated for action in right field on a regular basis. Brent Dean was able to provide relief for all-star catcher Chris McMurray last season and with a good spring at the plate is hoping to contribute on a nightly basis one way or another this year. The final returnee was the winner of the team's annual Unsung Hero Award, Taylor Oldham. After ranging all over the field wherever he was needed last season the Orlando, Florida native has seemingly locked down the left field job with a solid performance on the field and at the plate in exhibition play.
The long list of new position players is headlined by a pair of signees with a combined 12 years of MLB experience. Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez and second baseman Luis Hernandez form a slick-fielding duo up the middle that will attempt to ease the transition from long-time Wingnuts Ryan Khoury and Jake Kahaulelio who have both retired. Former Washington Huskies outfielder Jayce Ray will track down fly balls from his spot in center field this summer and attempt to create havoc on the bases with his speed. T.J. Mittelstaedt, who spent all of last season in Kansas City, joins former teammate Espinosa in a quest to defend the Nuts' title. The third baseman blends a good eye at the plate with a penchant for providing power. Former Wichita Collegiate star and Wichita State Shocker, Tyler Coughenour will serve as a form of depth at multiple positions.
A pair of other power threats will reside at catcher and first base in the form of John Nester and Dustin Geiger. Nester knocked the only two home runs of the spring for Wichita and also gunned down five of eight attempted base stealers from behind the plate. Geiger, who began the season in Double-A, has a pair of 17 home run seasons on his resume and figures to reside in the middle of the lineup.
Right-handed pitcher Vince Molesky was traded to the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies for a player to be named later, while Jacob Negrete, Mackenzie Handel, and Kori Melo were released and have become free agents.
The eighth season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins on Thursday, May 21st in Joplin, with the home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes taking place on Tuesday, May 26th. 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 20, 2015
- RailCats Set 2015 Opening Day Roster - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RedHawks Set Opening Night Roster - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Wingnuts Trim Roster to 23 - Wichita Wingnuts
- It's a Masterpiece: Saints New Four-Legged Mascot Is Pablo Pigasso - St. Paul Saints
- Saints Opening Night Seats Sold Out, Treasure Island Grass Berm Seats on Sale May 21 - St. Paul Saints
- T-Bones Set 2015 Opening Day Roster - Kansas City Monarchs
- A New Beginning in Saints Baseball, CHS Field Opens Gates for First Homestand May 21-24 - St. Paul Saints
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.
