Wild Things to Sign LHP Branden Noriega Prior to Tuesday Morning Game
BROCKTON, Ma. (July 27) – The Washington Wild Things will sign left-handed pitcher Branden Noriega prior to tomorrow’s morning game with the Brockton Rox, which starts a six-game road trip for the club. Noriega started the season by appearing 23 games out of the pen for the Lake Erie Crushers.
No corresponding roster move needs to be made, as Noriega will give Washington 25 active players on the roster. Noriega, a native of Homestead, Florida, which is outside of Miami, struck out 29 in 22.1 innings for the Crushers. His ERA was 6.45 but he had scoreless outings in 14 of his 23 outings. Nine of 16 earned runs against came in three outings between June 28 and July 5.
Noriega is an ex-Cubs farmhand and was teammates with current Wild Things closer Landon Ginn during his time in the farm system. In his affiliated time, he spent most of his time in rookie ball, but pitched in 10 total games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A). He worked in 40 career MiLB games and logged 66.1 innings with a 5-1 record and two saves. He struck out 96 but struggled at times with command. Last sumer, he pitched in the Atlantic League for Hagerstown and was 1-1 with a 6.67 ERA in 47 games and 54.0 innings, He struck out 51 against 52 hits.
He appeared in 10 games for the West Virginia Black Bears in the MLB Draft League in 2022 before being selected in that year’s draft in the 11th Round by the Cubs. He was a well-thought of outfielder in high school in Florida while he played at Somerset Academy Silver Palms.
The Wild Things begin the back end of the home and home series with the Rox tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m.
The 24th season of Wild Things baseball in the MLB-partnered Frontier League is underway with more great baseball and entertainment to come. For updates, other information and more, visit washingtonwildthings.com or follow the team on social media at facebook.com/WashingtonWildThings or @WashWildThings on other platforms.
Go Wild at washingtonwildthings.com.
