WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-signed right-handed pitcher Kevin Hilton and left-handed pitcher Justin Kamplain on Thursday.

Hilton was an American Association All-Star last season, combining for a 4.40 ERA in 20 starts for the Goldeyes and the Texas AirHogs.  The San Diego, California native finished third in the league with 133.0 innings in which he struck out 77, walked 42, and allowed just 10 home runs.  Hilton’s 1.5 wins above replacement also tied for first among American Association rookie pitchers.  The 28-year-old Hilton held the opposition to three or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 20 starts, and logged at least six innings in 14 of them.  Hilton worked seven-plus innings 11 times, which was third most in the American Association.  The Goldeyes acquired Hilton along with outfielder Jonathan Moroney from the AirHogs on August 9th in exchange for four players to be named later.

“I’m thrilled to have both Kevin and Justin back for 2020,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney.  “Both guys did fantastic jobs after joining our club during our playoff push.  I’m excited to watch both guys help us win ballgames.”

Hilton is entering his third season of professional baseball, and is 6-12 lifetime with a 4.51 ERA in 31 games, 23 of them as a starting pitcher.  The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Hilton has averaged just 2.8 walks and 0.6 home runs per nine innings during his career (167.2 innings).  Hilton pitched three seasons of college baseball at California State University-San Marcos where he posted a combined 4.16 ERA for the Cougars from 2012-14.

Kamplain joined the Goldeyes in late-July and made an immediate impact, contributing a 2.08 ERA in 14 relief appearances.  In 17.1 innings, Kamplain struck out 14 and allowed just 13 base hits.  The Jasper, Alabama native did not allow an earned run in 12 of his 14 outings, and recorded more than three outs in seven of them.

Kamplain heads into his seventh year of professional baseball and is 15-19 with 14 saves and a 3.44 ERA in 335.0 career innings.  The 6-foot, 175-pound left-hander has averaged nearly a strikeout per frame as a professional (8.7 per nine innings), while surrendering just 13 career home runs (0.3 per nine innings).  Kamplain—who will be 27 on Opening Night—was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round in 2014 out of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), and reached the Double-A level in New York’s farm system during the 2018 season.  On July 29th, 2017, Kamplain recorded the final eight outs of a combined no-hitter while pitching for the New York-Penn League’s Staten Island Yankees.

The Goldeyes now have 12 players under contract for the 2020 season.  American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 7th.

2020 Winnipeg Goldeyes Signings

RHP Victor Capellan
IF Wes Darvill
OF Willy Garcia
RHP Garrett Harris
RHP Kevin Hilton
C Dustin Houle
LHP Justin Kamplain
LHP Mitchell Lambson
LHP Kevin McGovern
OF Jonathan Moroney
IF Darren Seferina
RHP Andrew Vernon

Notes: Goldeyes’ left-hander Mitchell Lambson (15) and Milwaukee Milkmen right-hander Angel Ventura (12) ranked first and second respectively last year in total starts of at least seven innings…the Goldeyes have since traded right-handed pitchers Parker French and Mitchell Aker (September 20th), as well as right-handed pitcher Tyler Garkow (January 16th) to the AirHogs to partially complete the August 9th transaction…23 of Hilton’s 65 earned runs allowed last season came in three of his 20 starts…Hilton pitched to a 3.27 ERA in the other 17 starts

The Winnipeg Goldeyes open the 2020 season on May 19th on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders.  The Goldeyes’ 2020 home opener is on Tuesday, May 26th versus the St. Paul Saints.

For information on 2020 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com

 -Goldeyes-

By Steve Schuster, Winnipeg Goldeyes