DURHAM, NC – Wichita RHP Jon Link (pictured) leads the American Association in both wins and ERA, but he will not be pitching for the Wingnuts any longer. The Detroit Tigers purchased Link’s contract earlier today and are expected to send the pitcher to Double-A.
In Link’s only American Association season, the right-hander went 6-1 with a 1.74 ERA. The 6’1” starter out of Virginia Commonwealth pitched at least eight innings three different times, tossing a complete game in his final start against Gary SouthShore. In that outing, Link surrendered two runs on five hits and struck out nine. Prior to that start, he held Winnipeg scoreless over eight innings.
The Tigers will be Link’s sixth major league organization since he signed with the San Diego Padres in 2005. San Diego had drafted Link in the 26th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Bluefield College. He later spent time in the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles’ organizations, reaching the big leagues with the Dodgers on April 20, 2010. Link made his major league debut in a two-inning scoreless relief appearance against the Cincinnati Reds and made nine total appearances for Los Angeles.
Link leaves the Wingnuts after winning each of his last five starts. He is expected to join the Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League.
Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wingnuts
