Hard work in independent baseball pays off. That is the case for countless former American Association players, and especially for Wichita Wingnuts LHP Jarret Leverett (pictured). Leverett has been sold to the San Francisco Giants organization, making him the first American Association player to head to affiliated ball this season. He will be assigned to extended Spring Training in Arizona before heading out to an affiliate.
The call for Leverett came after only one appearance in a Wingnuts uniform. In the May 21 season opener against the Joplin Blasters, he threw a scoreless inning, allowing two hits but striking out a pair of Blasters hitters.
In 2014, Leverett suited up for the Frontier League Grays. He appeared in 33 contests, all in relief, compiling an impressive 2.72 ERA. In 46.1 innings, he allowed 41 hits and 22 runs, 14 of them earned. Leverett finished the season with a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio, with 44 strikeouts and 22 walks.
Before suiting up in an independent uniform, Leverett was a 15th round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2012, but never appeared in a game. He played his college baseball at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. In the 2012 campaign for the Eagles, Leverett was 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA, striking out 58 hitters in 51.1 innings while only walking 17.
The Wingnuts play their home opener on Tuesday evening when they welcome the Winnipeg Goldeyes to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m.
