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The Wichita Wingnuts added four players to their roster on Tuesday, signing pitchers Brandon Mathes, Sean Teague, and Cole Akins, as well as catcher Ben Harty.
Mathes returns for a second year in Wichita where he posted a 3-3 record with a 4.35 ERA in 51.2 IP last summer. After earning a rotation spot out of spring training, Mathes was released in late-May and then re-signed in June where he thrived out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season. In 31 relief appearances, the 24-year old righty had a 3.56 ERA in 42.2 IP, striking out 39 and allowing just 33 hits.
"I'm very excited to have Brandon back for 2011", said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "He's very versatile out of the bullpen and he competes. He's that bulldog-type pitcher that I love, and wants the ball all the time."
A native of Oklahoma City, OK, Mathes played two seasons of college baseball at Kansas Wesleyan University, where he was 8-1 as a senior in 2009 with a 1.38 ERA. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Mathes also hit .360 during his two seasons with the Coyotes, and earned KCAC Player of the Year honors in both 2008 and 2009.
Teague also returns for a second season in a Wingnuts uniform. The right-handed sinkerballer joined Wichita in a mid-June trade with the Northern League's Joliet Jackahmmers. Teague made 13 starts and one relief appearance for the Wingnuts in 2010, going 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 66.2 IP.
"Sean's an intriguing guy for us, being able to start or throw out of the pen, which has not yet been decided. We're expecting big things out of him no matter what his role is. He has great overall stuff, and lives off of his fastball which creates a lot of groundballs for our defense."
A Corona, CA native, Teague allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 13 starts. The 6-foot, 195-pound Teague was especially tough at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where he owned a 2.49 ERA in 25.1 IP over five starts. Teague, who will be 25 on opening night, was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 25th round out of Southern Polythechnic University in 2009. Teague went 8-3 as a senior, which included a perfect game, and was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. In his pro debut, Teague combined for a 2.33 ERA in 27.0 IP at three levels in the Marlins' organization.
Akins was in training camp with the Wingnuts last season before suffering a season-ending injury. The rookie right-hander played four years of college baseball at the University of the Pacific from 2006-2009 where he was 6-11 in 176.0 IP over 69 games. The Olympia, WA native struck out 105 while walking only 44 and also notched five career saves for the Tigers. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Akins was named to the All-Washington State Team as a high school senior in 2005 for Eastside Catholic High in Bellevue.
"Cole unfortunately didn't get a chance with us last year because of his injury. We're very excited to see him now that he's healthy. He had a chance to be in our rotation last year, and hopefully he will do the same again this spring."
Harty is a true rookie out of New Mexico State University. The 23-year old backstop launched 12 home runs while hitting .408 during his senior season with the Aggies in 2010. Harty towers at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and drove in 45 runs in just 34 games played last spring. The Bellevue, WA native was equally impressive as a junior, clouting 17 home runs with 58 RBI in 52 games during the 2009 season. Harty also spent two seasons at Skagit Valley College and most recently played for the Haysville Heat in the 2010 NBC World Series.
"Ben is big and strong, and he is going to come in and compete for a job. He played at a good baseball program at New Mexico State. With his size and strength, he can hit with power to all fields."
The signings give the Wingnuts eight players under contract for the 2011 season.
2011 Wingnuts Signings
RHP Cole Akins
C Edwin Bellorin
2B Jason Diaz
LHP Eric Gilliland
C Ben Harty
RHP Brandon Mathes
RHP David Miller
RHP Sean Teague
The Wingnuts open the 2011 season on May 12th at Amarillo. Wichita's 2011 home opener is Friday, May 20th versus the El Paso Diablos at 7:05 p.m.
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