Stingers announce returning players

Willmar’s roster will feature 6 familiar names from last year’s team   

WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers announced that six members from the 2013 team will be back as they open their fifth season of Northwoods League action in late May.  These are the first players to sign for next year in preparation for the 2014 season at Bill Taunton Stadium.    Players returning include junior infielder Max Kuhn (University of Kentucky), junior pitcher Sheldon Lee (University of San Francisco), sophomore pitcher Josh Matheson (Minnesota State University-Mankato), junior pitcher TJ Whidby (University of Texas-Arlington), and sophomore infielder Max Dutto (University of California-Berkeley).  All though he was signed but didn’t play for Willmar in 2013 due to an injury, sophomore infielder Hutton Moyer (Pepperdine University) is going to be a Stinger this upcoming summer.

A familiar name patrolling third base over the past two seasons for the Stingers has been Max Kuhn.  Kuhn is set to return for his third summer in the Northwoods League.  Kuhn has been a steady presence both in the field and at the plate during his tenure, compiling a batting average of .272, 17 doubles, 10 home runs, and 77 RBI.

Sheldon Lee will be one of the lead arms for the Stingers pitching staff in 2014 after a successful 2013 campaign.  The left-hander posted a 4-2 overall record with a 3.69 ERA in 13 appearances for the Stingers.  Over his 39 innings of work, Lee struck out 24 batters and gave up only 16 earned runs.

Josh Matheson, a versatile pitcher coming out of the bullpen and starting, is slated to be back at the Bee Hive again in 2014.  Matheson primarily came out of the bullpen for the Stingers, but of his 15 appearances, four of them were starts.  Matheson was 2-1 with 24 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of work last summer.

Junior TJ Whidby will be the third returning member of the 2013 pitching staff for the Stingers. Whidby made 21 overall appearances for the Stingers in 2013, with six coming as a starter.  Whidby had a 6-2 record and was third on the team with 38 strikeouts and led the pitching staff with 58 1/3 innings pitched.

Max Dutto will help anchor the Stingers infield next summer, along with returner Max Kuhn. In 49 games played, Dutto amassed 28 hits and scored 23 runs.  Even though Dutto hit .193, his leadership and defense are why the Stingers are excited to have him back in 2014.

Hutton Moyer is a sophomore infielder at Pepperdine.  Moyer was signed by the Stingers last year but Hutton was unable to play due to injury.  Moyer comes from good baseball genes as his dad Jaime was a 25-year Major League baseball veteran.  During his freshman season with the Waves, Moyer hit .258 in 39 games played.  He was an everyday player making 38 starts and all while compiling 42 hits, 20 runs, and 16 RBI at Pepperdine.

“We are excited to have these guys back for another year here in Willmar,” said co-owner Marc Jerzak.  “Having returners back from the previous season will provide good leadership for the new players coming in.”

Field Manager Matt Hollod, along with the Stingers organization, will continue to build the roster for the fifth season of Stingers baseball in 2014.  The 2014 schedule will be released this fall; however, season tickets for the upcoming year are now available.  For more information regarding this story or season ticket pricing, please call 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.  The 2014 season is presented by Charter.

The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League.  Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind.  A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB).  All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.