Durham, N.C. — The contract of Wichita Wingnuts RHP Derek Eitel has been purchased by the San Diego Padres organization, the American Association announced on Tuesday.
Eitel joined Wichita late in the 2015 season and made three regular-season and three postseason appearances out of the bullpen, striking out nine hitters in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Previously, the Marshall, Ill., native had spent most of six seasons in the Arizona and Milwaukee organizations, including 42 apperances at the Triple-A level. In 2014, Eitel was named to the Triple-A All-Star Game, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 30 relief appearances on the season.
Eitel was a 17th-round choice by Arizona in the 2010 draft after pitching collegiately at Rose-Hulman (Ind.). Also the quarterback for four seasons on the Division III school’s football team, he was the first Rose-Hulman athlete to be drafted by a professional team in any sport in the school’s history.
The 28-year-old is the seventh Wichita player to have his contract purchased by a major-league organization since the beginning of 2015.
Photo: Wichita Wingnuts
