Former General Zach Nuding
Two former Victoria Generals heard their names called in this year’s 2010 Major League Baseball Draft back in June. Pitchers Zach Nuding and Willie Kempf both saw their dreams of playing professional baseball turn to reality.
Zach Nuding, the Generals primary closer in 2009, was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round. After completing his sophomore season at Weatherford College, Nuding played a brief stint with the North Texas Copperheads this summer before signing with the Yankees and reporting to the Gulf Coast League. Nuding chose signing with the Yankees over continuing his collegiate career at Texas Tech University where he had committed to play. Nuding made only one appearance this summer for the GCL Yankees, starting the final game of the year. He pitched two innings and gave up 2 runs on four hits while striking out two batters. Nuding was credited with the loss in the game.
Willie Kempf, a starting pitcher for the Generals in 2009, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 27th round. Kempf, who recently graduated from Baylor University, quickly climbed the ranks of the Braves minor league system in his first year as a pro. Kempf started in the GCL where he did not allow a run in 11 innings of work while striking out 12 batters. Kempf was then promoted to the Braves rookie ball affiliate, the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League, where he made four starts, only allowing six runs in 28.1 innings while striking out 28. This earned Kempf another promotion as he was moved to the Rome Braves, the Class A affiliate of the South Atlantic League. Kempf made another four starts there, only allowing eight runs in 35 innings while striking out 31 batters.
In Kempf first year as a pro, he finished with an 8-2 record overall and a 1.70 ERA. Kempf only allowed 14 earned runs on 53 hits in 74.1 innings of work while striking out 41.
Both of these former Generals are set to continue their careers with the same organizations next year.
Season tickets for the Victoria Generals 2011 summer season are set to go on sale December 15. Fans can purchase their season tickets online at
www.VictoriaGenerals.com, by phone at 361-485-9522, or at the team store located at 3708 N. Navarro, Suite A in the Landmark Shopping Center.
