NIX, ROCKETT, YOUNG SIGN WITH SUGAR LAND

Michael Nix and Michael Rockett Return; Club Acquires Delwyn Young via trade

The Sugar Land Skeeters announced today that the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Michael Nix, as well as outfielder Michael Rockett for the 2014 season. The organization also acquired former Major Leaguer Delwyn Young via trade from the Atlantic League Camden Riversharks in exchange for future considerations.

Nix, 30, went 9-2 with a 1.88 ERA (16ER/76.2IP) in 14 total appearances (12 starts) for Sugar Land in 2013. Prior to his midseason signing with the Chicago White Sox organization, Nix took home Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors in May, going 5-0 in five starts spanning 30.1 scoreless innings. An 11th round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the June 2005 Draft out of Auburn University, the 6-foot-5 righthander was also named the Skeeters’ starting pitcher in the first-ever Atlantic League Playoff game at Constellation Field on September 17, 2013. Over nine career minor league seasons, Nix is 43-38 with a 3.84 ERA (256ER/599.2IP) and 572 strikeouts.

Rockett, 26, returns after playing 87 games with the Skeeters in 2013, primarily in the outfield. He hit .221 (57x258) with eight doubles and 27 RBI last season. Prior to joining the Skeeters, the Sugar Land native spent four seasons in the Detroit Tigers minor league system, reaching as high as Triple A Toledo in 2009. Drafted by Detroit in the 13th round of the June 2009 Draft out of the University of Texas – San Antonio, Rockett owns a career .244 (359x1473) average over five professional minor league seasons.

Young, 31, comes to Sugar Land following a two-season stint with the Atlantic League’s Camden Riversharks (2012-13). Last year, Young hit .269 (119x443) with 13 homers and a team-leading 67 RBI. Prior to joining the Atlantic League, he spent parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues with Los Angeles-NL (2006-08) and Pittsburgh (2009-10), combining for a .258 (183x710) average. Over 11 minor league seasons, he owns a career .288 (1087x3769) average with 603 RBI. A native of California, Young was drafted three times as an amateur, ultimately signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the June 2002 Draft.