Category: T-Bones

The T-Bones have signed veteran pitcher Fernando Hernandez and re-signed pitcher Derek Loera to contracts for the 2015 season, according to an announcement today.

Hernandez is a 5-foot-11 and 215-pound right hander from Miami, Fla. A 49th-round selection by the Chicago White Sox in 2002, Hernandez has played for four organizations: Chicago, Oakland, New York Yankees and Toronto.

In 2008 he pitched in three games for the A’s, and had a 1-0 record with an 18.00 ERA. Hernandez spent 2014 with Long Island of the Atlantic League, where he went 2-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 10 appearances. He struck out 24 and walked 15 for the Ducks.

In 12 professional seasons, Hernandez is 54-51 with a 3.68 ERA in 552 appearances. He has 791 career strikeouts and 352 walks.

“We have been looking for a veteran presence at the top of the rotation, and we think Fernando will provide that for us in 2015,” T-Bones manager John Massarelli said. “We think he’ll make our rotation deeper and stronger this summer.”

Loera, a 5-foot-11 and 180-pound left hander from Odessa, Texas, appeared in 24 games for the T-Bones in 2014. He went 0-2 with a 3.05 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 13 walks, mainly coming out of the bullpen. In two professional seasons, Loera, who spent a season in the Tampa Bay farm system, is 3-3 with a 2.74 ERA.

“Derek proved to be very reliable in the pen last season and we look for him to continue that very important role this year,” Massarelli said.

The T-Bones open the 2015 regular season at home on May 22 against Lincoln.

– Story from T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones have re-signed Derek Gordon to a contract for the 2015 season and exercised the option on Casey Barnes for 2015.

Gordon, a 6-foot-6 and 220-pound right-handed pitcher, went 1-1 with a 6.49 ERA in 14 appearances last season after signing with the T-Bones on July 1.

Gordon, who threw 26 1/3 innings, was used as both a starter and reliever for Kansas City. In his first professional start, the second game of a doubleheader against Sioux Falls at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on July 5, Gordon threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout in the seven-inning contest.

“Derek is a second-year rookie and he isn’t coming off his college season, so we look for him to become an impact rookie pitcher,” said T-Bones manager John Massarelli.

Gordon, who is a younger brother of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, was a four-year starter at Park University, where he set the school record in 2014 for career wins (24) and strikeouts (172).

The T-Bones acquired Barnes, a 6-foot and 180-pound right-handed pitcher, from Long Island of the Atlantic League last season on the Fourth of July.

Like Gordon, Barnes made his first start in a T-Bones uniform as part of the doubleheader on July 5. Barnes scattered six hits and allowed two runs in the win.

He went on to finish the season with a 3-6 record and 6.01 ERA. In 67 1/3 innings, Barnes struck out 47 and walked 14. Originally signed in 2011 by Philadelphia as a free agent out of Kansas Wesleyan, Barnes is 23-24 with a 4.01 ERA in four professional seasons.

“We’re looking for Casey to rebound into the dominant inning-eater that he has the ability to become,” Massarelli said.

The T-Bones open the 2015 regular season at home on May 22 against Lincoln.

– Story from T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers have purchased the contract of catcher Chris Bianchi.

Bianchi, a rookie who’s 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, batted .143 in 10 games in 2014 after signing with the T-Bones in late July.

He finished his collegiate career last spring at Trinity University, where he was selected as a member of the All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference team.

“We wish Chris the best of luck this spring and summer in the Dodgers system,” said T-Bones manager John Massarelli.

Bianchi is the 23rd T-Bones player whose contract has been sold to a Major League organization. The previous was pitcher Dustin Loggins, whose contract was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks in September 2013.

“We are in the development business, as well as trying to win games, so it is always rewarding when one of our guys gets to the next level,” said T-Bones vice president and general manager Chris Browne. “Kansas City is a great place to play and be seen by Major League scouts. We’re excited for Chris and wish him the best of luck.”
– Story from T-Bones