Wingnuts sign Workman, Flores

{WICHITA, Ks.} — The Wichita Wingnuts made two additions to their lineup on Friday, re-signing outfielder Josh Workman, and signing catcher Angel Flores.
Workman helped anchor the Wingnuts' lineup last season, appearing in all 100 of the team's contests.  An alumnus of Wichita State University, Workman set career-bests in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.325), runs scored (66), doubles (29), home runs (10), and RBI (68).  The Atchison, KS native drew 44 walks against only 68 strikeouts, and finished with a .398 on-base percentage.  The left-handed hitting Workman hit safely in 73 of 100 games, and totaled 36 multi-hit contests--11 of which were for three hits.  Unfazed by same-handed pitching, Workman hit .361 against southpaws in 97 at bats.  Workman was also a model of consistency, and went consecutive games without a base hit just four times the entire season.
"We are very excited to have 'Work' coming back for the 2012 season," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "As of now, he will be slotted into the DH spot for us.  We will continue to work with him on his defense in the infield and outfield, making him very valuable to give some guys some rest at times.  Work had a tremendous year for us last year, and hopefully can continue to build on that success.  Being a WSU guy and living in Derby, he will bring us some of that local flavor that I like to have."
2012 will be Workman's fifth in professional baseball.  Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round in 2008, Workman spent parts of three seasons in their organization.  The 26-year-old hit .297 for the New York-Penn League's Oneonta Tigers in 2009, and twice reached the High-A Florida State League.  During three seasons with the Shockers from 2006-2008, the 6-foot, 215-pound Workman hit a composite .308 with 157 runs scored, 12 home runs, 102 RBI, and 63 stolen bases in 187 games.
Flores played in 40 games for the Atlantic League's Lancaster Barnstormers last season.  The Mantai, Puerto Rico native batted .311 with 14 runs scored, one home run, and 11 RBI.  In addition to his duties behind the plate, Flores also saw time in the outfield and at first base.  A 6-foot, 215-pound backstop, Flores hit safely in 25 of 40 games for Lancaster, and went 17 for 44 (.386) over his final 18 contests.
"Angel will be our catcher for the upcoming season," said Hooper.  "We are very excited to see what he can bring to the table, both offensively and defensively.  I remember Angel from my Detroit days and what a wonderful person he is.  I'm looking forward to working with him everyday and building a great relationship with him.  This is going to be a great opportunity for him to show what he can do playing everyday.  I have been very fortunate at catcher in the past with Muich, Christy and Bellorin, and I only hope he can follow in those great footsteps."
Flores is entering his eighth season of professional baseball, and has twice played at both the Double- and Triple-A levels.  The 25-year-old Flores is a career .230 hitter with 173 base hits in 252 games played.  Defensively, Flores has a .986 lifetime fielding percentage at catcher, and has thrown out 25 percent of opposing base stealers.  Flores was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 46th round in 2003, and elected to play junior college baseball before signing with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent in 2005.  Flores spent six years in the Tigers' organization, and was a teammate of Josh Workman in both 2008 and 2010.  On July 15th, 2007, Flores was behind the plate when current Major Leaguer Guillermo Moscoso tossed a nine-inning perfect game for Oneonta.
The Wingnuts also learned that recently-signed shortstop Jose Martinez has signed with the Houston Astros' organization, and will report to their spring training facility in Kissimmee, FL.  Martinez becomes the 11th Wingnut all-time to sign with a Major League organization.
The Wingnuts now have 15 players under contract for the 2012 season.  American Association teams may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 5th.
2012 Wingnuts Signings
RHP Josh Dew
OF Mitch Einertson
C Angel Flores
IF Cody Fuqua
RHP Junior Guerra
RHP Alex Kaminsky
LHP Shawn Joy
RHP Josh Lowey
RHP Brandon Mathes
LHP Moises Melendez
RHP Matt Nevarez
C Eric Rodriguez
LHP Nick Walters
OF Josh Workman
1B C.J. Ziegler
The 2012 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.