Walter Pennington was named the International League Pitcher of the Week

3 June 2024 – International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers Press Release

PAPILLION, Neb. – Minor League Baseball announced the pitcher and player of the week honors for each of their respective player development leagues, and Omaha Storm Chasers left-handed pitcher Walter Pennington was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for his performance this week. May 27 – June 2.

The Broomfield, Colo., native struck out 12 batters in 6.1 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit without walking a batter. 12 strikeouts tied for second in the league, while he was one of seven pitchers to not allow an earned run while throwing at least 6.0 innings, with the most strikeouts among that group. Pennington appeared in three games during Omaha’s streak at Indianapolis, including a start in the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday, May 30. He pitched four perfect innings over 2.0 in relief on Monday, May 29, tying a career high with six. strikeouts over his 3.0 inning start and then pitched two perfect innings over 1.2 to earn a win on Sunday, May 2.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Royals out of the Colorado School of Mines in August 2020, Pennington has appeared in 23 games this season for the Storm Chasers (2 starts) with a 3-2 record, 2 saves and an ERA of 1.85. (8 ER in 39.0 IP). The southpaw has struck out 62 batters in 39.0 innings and ranks second in the International League in appearances while fifth in the league in strikeouts. His 50 strikeouts while pitching in relief are the most of any minor league pitcher in 2024, while a 40.8% strikeout rate ranks second among all minor league pitchers (min. 30 ,0 innings).

Pennington is the third Storm Chaser to earn an International League weekly award this season and the first pitcher to claim a weekly honor since left-hander Daniel Lynch IV was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 22-28. 2023.

Shortstop Andrew Navigato of the Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A, Detroit Tigers) was the International League Player of the Week as he hit .588 (10-for-17) with five extra-base hits, five runs batted in and a 1.808 OPS in Toledo’s series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

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