Wingnuts' Newcomers Bring Talent, Experience

WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts added five key pieces to their roster on Monday, signing first baseman Mario Delgado, outfielder Kennard Bibbs, pitcher Will Morgan, and trading for outfielder Ryan Patterson and pitcher Nick Singleton.

Delgado has played professionally since 2001 when he was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round out of Oklahoma City University.  The 30-year old slugger hit .333 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI for the division-rival Lincoln Saltdogs in 2008.  The San Diego, CA native has 118 home runs in 740 career games, an average of 26 for every 162.  The left-handed hitting Delgado played in Double-A as recently as 2006 for in Baltimore Orioles organization.  Delgado owns a .495 career slugging percentage.

"Mario was in Lincoln in 2008 and I have kept my eye on him since", said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "He is a great hitter that will be in the middle of our lineup as a run producer.  Mario, being a veteran, will play a key role in for us day in and day out whether it be at first base or as our designated hitter.  I'm excited to sign a guy like this to add some punch to our lineup."

Bibbs finished seventh in the league in batting average last year at .323 while playing for the El Paso Diablos.  The eighth-year professional was also third in runs scored (75), fifth in stolen bases (32), and was the toughest player in the league to strikeout, fanning once every 14.58 plate appearances.  Bibbs, who bats and throws left-handed, has 204 stolen bases during his career and has collected more hits (706) than games played (684).  The Houston, TX native was drafted by the Brewers in the 14th round in 2002 out of Oklahoma City University where he was a college teammate of Delgado's.  Bibbs served as the main catalyst for the Sioux Falls Canaries' 2008 championship team.

"Kennard is a prototypical leadoff hitter.  He knows his game and plays to his strenghts.  He can run, put the ball in play and is a great defender.  His experience at the top of the order will be a great addition and therefore lead to being a great tablesetter for us.  I'm excited to see him play up to his potential day in and day out."

Morgan was selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round in 2007 out of Lewis and Clark State College.  The right-hander reached High-A in both 2008 and 2009 and has a career ERA of 1.91 in 47.0 career innings.  More impressively, Morgan has struck out 53 while walking only nine during that same stretch.  Originally from Poway, CA, Morgan played at Santa Rosa Junior College alongside current Wingnuts Steve Pearson, Patrick Brooks, and Jeff Giacomini.

"Will is a guy who played JUCO ball with Pearson, Brooks and Giacomini and was very highly regarded.  I'm excited to see what he can add to our already deep bullpen. He has put up some very impressive numbers in affiliated ball and is getting back to full strength after coming off of Tommy John surgery."

Patterson helped the Fort Worth Cats to the Southern Division's first half title last year, hitting .284 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI.  A native of Dallas, TX, Patterson was a fourth round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays out of LSU in 2005 and spent three seasons at the Double-A level.  The right-handed hitter has crushed at least 12 home runs in each of his first five professional seasons.  In 2006, Patterson led the pitcher-friendly Florida State League with 19 home runs before hitting 18 and 17 respectively each of the next two years in Double-A.  Patterson's rights were acquired from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for future considerations.

"Ryan had a good year in Fort Worth last year and when he became available I couldn't pass on him.  He will add some power depth to the lineup and is a great defensive outfielder.  This is a guy that comes to play night in and night out and will be a huge addition to our club.  I'm excited for some of our younger guys to watch him play everyday and feed off of his intensity."

Singleton led the American Association with a 2.24 ERA in 2008 while pitching for Sioux City, another division-rival.  The right-hander was all over the leader boards again last year, his second with the Explorers, finishing first in starts (21), second in innings pitched (129.1), and third in strikeouts (97).  Singleton is 14-11 over the last two years, with a 3.19 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 242.0 innings.  The Montgomery, AL native played college baseball at Auburn University and has a lifetime ERA of 3.31 in five professional seasons.  Singleton came to the Wingnuts during the winter in exchange for the rights to Greg Porter.

"Nick is a guy I have tried to acquire for the last two years now and I'm glad to say he is on our side.  He has been a dominant starter in this league for numerous years now and I'm excited to hand him the ball on opening day.  With his experience he is only going to help our younger pitchers develop."

Spring training begins May 1st with the 2010 season opener set for May 13th at St. Paul.  The Wingnuts' home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants.  Season tickets and group packages are on sale now.  For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

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