The Wingnuts have made a lot of moves this season, and sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of all the comings and goings. In Part One of this two-part series on transactions (who’s excited?!), I’m going to examine and grade (95-percent for an ‘A’ like in Les Anderson’s WSU classes) the moves the Wingnuts have made on their pitching staff since the start of the season:
May 20: Signed Amad Stephens
By far the best move the Wingnuts have made all season. Stephens was released by Lincoln because of a conflict with manager Tim Johnson and Wichita quickly snatched him up. Despite battling elbow tendonitis, Stephens has emerged as a capable setup man to closer Byron Embry. Stephens is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA and is holding opposing hitters to a .151 average. Grade: A
May 25/26: Signed Alejandro Martinez and released Aaron Jenkins
Martinez didn’t last long, struggling in a few relief appearances before being released on June 6. The Wingnuts probably wish they could have Aaron Jenkins back, especially since they don’t currently have a left-hander in the bullpen. With Grand Prairie, Jenkins is sporting a 2.70 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. Grade: D-minus (barely)
May 28: Signed Doug Hurn
Hurn was a pleasant surprise, providing solid long relief before moving to the seventh-inning and teaming with Stephens to give the Wingnuts a bridge to Embry in the ninth. He expressed a desire to start, however, and was traded to another independent league on July 12. Grade: B
June 18: Released Ronnie Ball and Demetri White, signed Kevin Cheppenko and Adam White
Ball and White were Nos. 1 and 2 in the American Association in walks when they were let go and the Wingnuts were all but forced to cut bait despite their strong arms and potential. Adam White was a non-factor before his own release but Wichita found an important bullpen arm in Cheppenko, who was a starter with Sioux Falls before being let go. He has flourished in relief, though, with a 1.86 ERA in nine games and two saves. Grade: A-minus
July: Signed David Cross, David Rider and Kevin Foeman: The jury is still out on these guys, but Rider hasn’t done himself any favors with a 9.31 ERA through six games, including one start. Cross has appeared in four games and Foeman two, with neither so far distinguishing himself as a reliable bullpen option. Grade: Incomplete
Another move that didn’t affect the roster but has given the Wingnuts a boost is moving Richard Salazar from the bullpen to the rotation. I’d give that move a solid B.
Check back tomorrow for grades on transactions involving the hitters.