Right-handed pitcher Tommy Nance became the second member of the 2015 Windy City ThunderBolts to be signed by a big league organization when he had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs.
Nance spent his rookie season with the ThunderBolts in 2015 and went 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in 29 relief appearances.
He began his collegiate career in 2010 at Long Beach State and eventually transferred to Santa Clara University, where he pitched his final two seasons and won seven games, primarily as a starter. Overall in four years, including one at Cypress College, he went 12-11 and compiled a 4.66 ERA in 51 games (36 starts).
After missing the entire 2014 season, Nance got off to a slow start to open his professional career but he improved as the year went on. After the Frontier League all-star break, his ERA was just 3.47 and his WHIP was 1.16. He finished the year with six straight scoreless innings over six appearances and slid into the closer’s role late, saving three games over the season’s final ten days.
Nance joins Austin Wright as members of the 2015 pitching staff to move on to affiliated teams. Wright was signed by the Diamondbacks in October. Nance is the 53rd player in ThunderBolts/Cook County Cheetahs history to be signed by a Major League organization and the first ever to be signed by the Cubs.
The Windy City ThunderBolts open their 18th Frontier League season at Standard Bank Stadium on Thursday, May 12th vs. the Joliet Slammers featuring $1.25 drafts and a postgame fireworks show! Season tickets, flex plans and group outing opportunities are available now! Call 708-489-2255 or check out wcthunderbolts.com for more information! Don’t forget to “Like” the ThunderBolts on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/windycitythunderbolts/ or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @wcthunderbolts!
