WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts have made three more additions to their roster, re-signing pitcher Leonard Landeros, purchasing the contract of infielder Josh Horn from the Frontier League, and trading for utility player Louie Curcio from the Golden League.
Landeros was a steady presence in the Wingnuts' rotation last year, going 7-5 with a 4.11 ERA while making a career-high 17 starts. Landeros finished second on the Wingnuts' staff with 96.1 IP and allowed just six home runs. A former 29th round pick of the Athletics in 2001, Landeros is 20-17 in eight professional seasons and reached the AAA level in 2007 with Oakland. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Landeros and fellow Wingnuts' left hander Brad Davis were teammates at various levels in the Athletics' organization. The Exeter, CA native's best work last season came down the stretch. In five starts from July 17th through August 15th, Landeros posted a 1.39 ERA and allowed just 28 hits in 39.1 IP.
Horn is a two-time Frontier League All-Star with the Windy City Thunderbolts. Playing mostly third base each of the last two seasons, Horn hit a combined .295 with 36 doubles, 14 home runs, and 96 RBI in 184 games played. The Shelbyville, TN native played college baseball at Columbia State Community College, before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University. As a senior for the Blue Raiders in 2006, Horn hit .330 in 55 games while playing second base, which is the position he is expected to fill for the Wingnuts.
Curcio comes to the Wingnuts from the Golden League's Yuma Scorpions in exchange for outfielder Blake Gailen. A true utility man, Curcio can play infield, outfield, and catcher. The Brooklyn, NY native played at Seminole Community College in 2004 and 2005, before turning pro on an international level. Curcio played in Italy for the Grosseto Orioles in 2006.
Gailen hit .266 for the Wingnuts in 88 games while also making 13 appearances as a pitcher. Gailen was named the team's inaugural "Unsung Hero" prior to the final game of 2008.
Landeros, Horn, and Curcio join returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, and Amad Stephens, as well as fellow newcomers Derek Jennings, Zach Goldberg, Scott Daniels, Bill Duffy, Jeff Reekers, Gabe Medina, Dustin Smith, Tyler Rhoden, Nathan Parker, Derek Blacksher, Kelly Hunt, and Greg Porter to give Wichita 24 players under contract for the 2009 season. American Association teams can carry up to 28 players through Spring Training.
The Wingnuts open their second season on May 14th when they host the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Meanwhile, the Wichita Thunder returns home this weekend for two games, beginning with a contest versus Texas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum. For more information, call the Wingnuts/Thunder office at (316) 264-4625.
-Wingnuts-
