For the second time in a week, the Windy City ThunderBolts have had a player move into the affiliated ranks as RHP Brandon Kloess was signed by the Chicago White Sox.
Kloess went 0-1 in three games with Windy City with a 4.82 ERA. In two relief appearances, he went 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA.
“Brandon is a good young man who has several special pitches and will do very well in affiliated ball,” said ThunderBolts manager Tommy Thompson. “It’s good to someone give him a chance. It’s also great for the ThunderBolts to be able to show players that we can get guys signed. It makes them want to play here more.”
Kloess signed with Windy City after finishing a four year career at Florida Atlantic University. His best season at FAU came in 2005 when he went 8-2 in 18 games (nine starts) with a 4.17 ERA.
Kloess' signing comes on the heels of Shane Zegarac being drafted in the 42nd round by the Texas Rangers.
Taking Kloess place on the roster is pitcher Justin Fry out of the University of South Carolina at Aiken. The 6’4”, 170 RHP was a swingman for the Pacers pitching in 19 games, making seven starts going 4-3 with a 4.61 ERA. In 53.2 innings, he struck out 63 batters. He was a part of a USC-Aiken team that finished with top-ten national ranking in NCAA D-II and reached the Southeast Regional Final.
Windy City welcome in the Southern Illinois Miners for a three game set starting on Thursday night with Stephen Flake (0-2, 5.53) will make the start for the ThunderBolts against Brett Scarpetta (0-0, 1.80) for the Miners. The first 1,000 fans in the ballpark, 21 and older, will receive ThunderBolts pint glasses courtesy of CITY Beverage. It is also a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday with all 12 oz domestic draft beers just $1. For information or tickets, call 708-489-BALL stop by the Standard Bank Stadium ticket office or go to the team’s website at
www.wcthunderbolts.com.
