Scott Kuzminsky became the fourth 2017 Windy City ThunderBolt to be signed by a Major League organization when he had his contract purchased by the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
Kuzminsky, a relief pitcher from Puyallup, Washington, had appeared in 32 games and posted a 3-2 record with a 1.42 ERA. He had 42 strikeouts to only 12 walks in 31.2 innings and saved one game. In his best stretch of the season, he went 15 consecutive appearances (15.2 innings) without allowing an earned run, a streak that lasted from May 31 until July 4.
Kuzminsky was elected to the East Division team in the Frontier League All-Star Game and threw a perfect inning of relief with two strikeouts in the game.
A graduate of the University of Hawaii, Kuzminsky will be getting his first taste of affiliated ball. He began his pro career in 2015 with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association, where he appeared in 22 games and went 2-4 with a 4.95 ERA. He went on to play part of 2015 and all of 2016 in the Can-Am Association with the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. He led them in appearances in 2016, pitching in 40 games and going 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA. He arrived in Windy City in an offseason trade.
In June, Kyle Von Ruden was signed by the White Sox, Kevin Lenik went to the Royals and Brady Muller was picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kuzminsky becomes the fourth ThunderBolt to have his contract purchased this year. He is the second player in team history to get picked up by the Mariners and the first since Wes Alsup in 2011.
