GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2022
Contact: Ashley Nylen
Phone: 219-882-2255
[email protected]
RailCats Acquire Two Pitchers from Ottawa
Gary, IN – The Gary SouthShore RailCats have acquired pitchers Keisy Portorreal and Carlos Vega from the Ottawa Titans in exchange for pitcher Jack Alkire.
Portorreal spent the 2021 season with the Houston Apollos. In his first professional season he went 1-4 in 22 relief appearances. He tossed 27.2 innings and struck out 31 batters.
“As with any good trade, it’s going to be bittersweet. Giving up a good starting pitcher in Alkire is always difficult; however, acquiring two established bullpen arms is critical to our club’s success in 2022,” said manager Greg Tagert. “We saw first-hand what Keisey is capable of. He was outstanding in his first American Association campaign pitching high-leverage innings against every club.”
The 6-foot-2 right-hander began his college career at Mid-America Christian University in 2018 before transferring to Southwest Christan University for the 2021 season. As a senior at Southwest Christian, he went 4-2 in 8 starts (12 appearances) with 75 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work.
Vega, 24, appeared in 25 games last season with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League, his first as a professional. He twirled 50 innings mostly out of the bullpen. The right-hander struck out 40 batters and finished second on the team in saves with five.
“Carlos brings a pedigree of success as a Division 1 closer and continuing with his professional debut with the Chicago Cubs organization,” said Tagert.
Vega, a native of Silver City, New Mexico played collegiately at Southeast Missouri State University for two seasons. He appeared in 43 games and finished with a 2.90 ERA. Following his senior season, the Chicago Cubs drafted Vega in the 21st round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. With the Cubs organization he went 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA with 51 strikeouts over 40-plus innings.
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The RailCats 2022 season begins at the Steel Yard on Friday, May 20 vs Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets packages and group outings for the 2022 season can be reserved by calling 219-882-2255 or emailing [email protected].