WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced two major player additions, signing former Wichita State University Shockers Nick Blasi and Joe Muich.
Blasi (pronounced BLAY-zee) will be entering his sixth year of professional baseball, and has more career hits (547) than games played (530). A lifetime .277 hitter, Blasi has played at the AAA level each of the last two seasons, most recently for the Charlotte Knights, AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. A Wichita native and resident, Blasi was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 12th Round in 2004, following a standout college career at Wichita State.
Blasi started his college ball at Butler Community College, before joining the Shockers in 2003 when he hit .321 in 69 games. The following season, Blasi ranked third on the Shockers with a .366 average, tied for second with 10 home runs, and fourth with 51 RBI. Blasi's finest professional season came at the AAA level in 2007 with the Sacramento River Cats. That season Blasi hit a career-high .316 in 89 games, scoring 55 runs and driving in 41 more.
Blasi was a teammate of Wingnuts' left-handed pitchers Brad Davis and Leonard Landeros at various levels of the Oakland Athletics organization in 2006 and 2007. The 27-year old Blasi is expected to take over center field duties for the Wingnuts.
Muich (pronounced MYOO-itch) is heading into his fourth professional season, and was a teammate of Blasi at Wichita State in 2003 and 2004. The Fenton, MO native has played at the AA level in the New York Yankees' organization the past two seasons. A standout defensive catcher, Muich was selected by the Yankees in the 12th Round of the 2005 draft and began his professional career the following season, hitting .276 with four home runs and 24 RBI in Low-A for the Charleston RiverDogs.
In 2007, Muich cranked a career-high six home runs in 47 games for Charleston and earned his first promotion to AA. Muich enjoyed a four-year career at Wichita State from 2002-2005. As a junior in 2004, Muich hit .293 with four home runs and 42 RBI. During his senior season in 2005, the 26-year old hit .297, led the Shockers with nine home runs, and collected 42 RBI for a second consecutive year. Muich also handled a pitching staff in 2005 that went 51-24 and included eventual Major Leaguer Mike Pelfrey.
Blasi and Muich join returning Wingnuts Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Richard Salazar, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Steve Pearson, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, Amad Stephens, and Leonard Landeros, 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, Greg Porter, Josh Horn, Louis Curcio, Ronnie Morales, and Lance Odom to round out the Wingnuts' spring training roster at the maximum 28 players.
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. For more information, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625.
-Wingnuts-
