Courtesy Wichita Wingnuts Media Relations
Wichita, Kan. — The Wichita Wingnuts lost a member of their starting rotation Friday as righthander Ryan Kussmaul had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks, making him the first Wingnut to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization during the 2016 season.
Signed by the Wingnuts on June 17, Kussmaul made just three starts with Wichita before his contract was purchased. The righty posted a 1.62 ERA in 16.2 innings in those three outings, including seven innings of one-hit shutout ball at Laredo on June 22. Kussmaul’s last start with Wichita was his shortest, as he allowed three runs in four and two-thirds innings while earning his third straight no-decision.
Prior to his time with Wichita, Kussmaul spent the 2015 season as the closer with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks. The veteran righty spent the 2010-14 seasons in the Chicago White Sox organization, climbing as high as Triple-A Charlotte in both 2012 and 2014.
Kussmaul is the 38th Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization and the first player signed since the 2016 season began.
