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New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds
Saltdogs Trade Whiting Add Rookie Catcher
July 23, 2018

Saltdogs Trade Whiting Add Rookie Catcher

 

LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs announced today they traded catcher Brant Whiting to the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League for a player to be named later. The club also signed rookie C Daniel Herrera, activated LHP Joe Bircher and released OF Joe Moran.

Herrera made his professional debut with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League this season. He appeared in just one game and was 0-2.

Before turning pro, the switch hitter played two seasons at the University of New Mexico. He hit a combined .248 with three home runs over 72 games for the Lobos. He posted an impressive .988 fielding percentage over 34 games as a senior. Herrera starred at New Mexico Junior College for two years before joining New Mexico. He batted .343 as a freshman and .312 as a sophomore while 42 percent of runners stealing. Herrera was first team All-State catcher at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque.

Whiting heads to the Frontier League after playing in 31 games for the Saltdogs. The left-handed hitter recorded a .178 average with three home runs and nine RBIs. His first hit with the team may have been his biggest. He smoked a ground rule double to knock in what would prove to be the game-winning run against Sioux City on May 20th to help Lincoln to its first victory of the season.

Whiting is a former Dodgers prospect who has spent parts of two seasons in Triple-A. He spent four years at Stanford before in the 30th round in 2014.

Bircher joined the Saltdogs via trade on Friday and placed him on the Disabled List. He will start Tuesday's game. The Omaha native spent parts of the last five seasons with Sioux Falls. He was 22-29 with a 3.84 ERA over 84 appearances for the Canaries. Bircher was 3-4 with a 5.37 ERA over 10 starts this season. He went 5.2 innings and gave up just one run to the Winnipeg Goldeyes in his last start on July 9th.

Bircher played four years of baseball at Roncalli Catholic High School in Omaha. He earned second-team all-state honors as a junior and senior. Bircher's American Legion team won consecutive Class B State Championships in 2007 and 2008.

The Saltdogs release outfielder Joe Moran after the rookie made his pro debut on July 11th against Kansas City. He went 0-5 with an RBI. The Bellevue University product is nursing an elbow injury.

The Saltdogs (27-25) face the Sioux City Explorers in Iowa in the second game of a three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM on ESPN 101.5 FM 1480 AM and saltdogs.com/stream.

For more information on the Saltdogs, follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball. For ticket information visit https://saltdogs.com/tickets/ or call (402) 474-2255.