WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts finalized their 22-man opening night roster on Monday, releasing seven players and signing infielder Patrick Brooks.
Brooks, who is expected to fill a utility role for Wichita, is entering his third season of professional baseball. The Vallejo, CA native spent the end of last season with the Frontier League's Windy City Thunderbolts, where he was a teammate of Wingnuts' second baseman Josh Horn. The Thunderbolts went on to win their second straight Frontier League championship. Brooks played collegiately at the University of Texas-Pan American, before signing with the Chicago Cubs' organization as a non-drafted free agent in 2007.
The Wingnuts released seven players from their training camp roster, including pitchers Jeff Reekers and Lance Odom, catcher Scott Daniels, infielders Louie Curcio, Dustin Smith, and Derek Jennings, and outfielder Bill Duffy.
Wichita now has 22 players on their roster including returning players Michael Thompson, Dustan Mohr, Brenan Herrera, Brad Davis, Richard Salazar, Doug Hurn, Justin Young, Amad Stephens, and Steve Pearson. The Wingnuts' 13 new players includes Brooks, Horn, Kelly Hunt, Zach Goldberg, Greg Porter, Nick Blasi, Joe Muich, Nathan Parker, Tyler Rhoden, Derek Blacksher, Will Savage, Gabe Medina, and Ronnie Morales.
The Wingnuts open the 2009 season on Thursday, May 14th when they hose the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale for all Wingnuts' home games. Season, group, and picnic packages are also available. For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
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