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