The Wichita Wingnuts are ramping up for the 2015 American Association baseball season, building a pitching staff that should put the club in a position to dominate the league once again. The Wingnuts lost eight of their starting nine players from last year’s lineup, but have built the premier bullpen in the league, and have a starting staff that should make them tough to score against on any given night.

Manager Kevin Hooper and GM Josh Robertson are following their usual pattern of finding players who excel in a Wichita uniform, and keep the club on top no matter who departs. “Next man up” is the Wingnuts mentality and this season will put that ideology to the test.

Key Transactions

On March 13, former Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles’ OF Luis Montañez was signed by the Wichita Wingnuts. Montañez is a 15-year veteran of professional baseball who has a live bat and adds some speed and power. Last season the 33-year-old played for Somerset of the Atlantic League, where he hit .289 with 17 home runs and 74 RBI in 130 games played. He also had an outstanding .350 on-base percentage.

On March 24, INF Kori Melo inked a deal with the Wingnuts. Melo last played professional ball in 2013 when he split time with Edinburg and Fort Worth of the United League. Combined he hit .220 with 12 RBI and a very impressive .363 on-base percentage in 61 games played. There is not a great deal of power there, but he gets on base at an incredible rate and has some speed.

On the same day, INF Alex Cabrera was traded to Bridgeport of the Atlantic League.

In a three day span to end March the Wingnuts saw two players go and a new addition to their bullpen signed. First INF Abel Nieves was dealt to Bridgeport of the Atlantic League in exchange for a player to be named later. Nieves was a star for the team down the stretch last season after being reacquired in August. He is a former American Association batting champion.

On March 31, newly acquired LHP Jhonathan Ramos had his contract purchased by the Baltimore Orioles organization. The lefty had signed with Wichita on the last day of February, and on the last day of March he was on his way back to affiliate ball.

One day later LHP Alfonso Yevoli signed a contract to join the club. The left-hander has played most of his three professional seasons with Washington of the Frontier League, although in 2013 he did pitch 11 games with the Chicago Cubs Mid-A club. Last season he was outstanding out of the bullpen, making 48 appearances and posting a 4-5 record, one save, and a 2.92 ERA. He walked just 16 in 49.1 innings pitched while striking out 46. The addition of Yevoli makes the Wingnuts bullpen near invincible.

Utilityman Jared McDonald was released on April 3. McDonald started last season with St. Paul before being traded to Wichita. He was a super-sub, who delivered key hits when needed. He finished the season with a combined average of .262 with two home runs and 24 RBI.

By Robert Pannier