WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have announced their first player signing for the 2009 season with the return of third baseman Michael Thompson.
Thompson hit .305 while leading the team in homeruns (10), slugging percentage (.488), and finishing third with 48 RBI. The Covina, CA native was selected as a reserve for the 2008 All-Star Game in St. Paul. After an injury to the starting DH, Thompson was given the chance to start in the game and collected a hit. Thompson also won the annual homerun derby prior to the game.
Thompson was the only Wingnut to appear in all 95 games in 2008, starting in 93 of them. He reached base in each of Wichita's first 30 games with either a hit or a walk, and also started the season with a 12-game hitting streak. Thompson led the American Association with 29 doubles, and helped start 28 double plays, the most by any third baseman. Thompson had 28 multi-hit games, while hitting safely in 71 of 95 games.
Originally drafted by the Astros in the 26th round in 2005, Thompson made his way to the Royals organization where he was also an All-Star with the class-A Burlington Bees of the Midwest League in 2007. Thompson finished fourth in the Midwest League in 2007 with 19 homeruns.
Thompson's signing comes one day after Kevin Hooper was introduced as Wichita's field manager for 2009.
The Wingnuts have also announced their 2009 schedule. Wichita opens their season with a four-game series against the division rival Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday May 14th. The schedule includes six Fridays and six Saturdays. The Wingnuts will play on the road from July 31st-August 16th while the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder are back in action this Friday at the Kansas Coliseum when they take on the New Mexico Scorpions. Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wichita Pro Sports office at 264-4625.
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