The Oakland Athletics purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Joey Wagman from the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League on Tuesday.
He became the 31st player in the Frontier League to have his contract purchased by an organization in Major League Baseball since the start of Spring Training. He's also the third player that the Oakland Athletics have purchased from the Frontier League this season (right-handed pitcher Ben Bracewell and catcher Josh Ludy, who were both sold by the River City Rascals on July 22).
Wagman was drafted in the 17th round by the Chicago White Sox in last year's MLB Draft. He made 16 relief appearances in Rookie ball in 2013, and posted a 3.57 ERA in 22 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 28 batters and walked just seven in his first year of playing professional baseball.
However, Wagman was released by the White Sox this past April. He signed with the Rockford Aviators shortly after and made his debut with the team on May 21. His debut was a rocky one, as he wasn't able to go five innings. He surrendered six earned runs on six hits and walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings.
However, Wagman bounced back from his less than impressive Frontier League debut and didn't allow more than three earned runs in nine of his next ten starts. He has been solid this season in the Frontier League, posting a 3.05 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) while striking out 85 batters in 76 2/3 innings. His 85 strikeouts are the most by any pitcher in the Frontier League this season. He's struck out at least seven batters in seven of his 12 appearances this season.
Wagman will be assigned to the Oakland Athletics' Low-A affiliate -- the Beloit Snappers. He's expected to make his first start with the Snappers on Thursday against the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals).