Baseball

The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, announced Tuesday the signing of right-handed pitchers Adam Knobel and Patrick Stanley and the trade of pitcher Matt Brumit.

Knobel signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros organization in 2005 and was assigned to Tri-City of the New York-Penn League where he posted a record of 2-0 with one save, a 5.40 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. In August of last year, Knobel was 1-0 with one save and a 0.95 ERA in 19 innings of work, and he held opponents to a .190 batting average. Knobel played collegiate baseball at Valparaiso University where he led the Mid-Continent Conference with eight saves, finished second in the conference in appearances (26) and stood 10th in strikeouts (47) last year. A second-team All-Mid-Con selection, Knobel finished the 2005 season with a 2-1 record and 1.95 ERA. As a junior, Knobel recorded a 2.02 ERA and ranked second in the Mid-Con with six saves. In his four-year career, Knobel appeared in 75 games, including 71 in relief. He finished his career with 100 strikeouts and as Valparaiso's all-time leader in saves with 14.

Stanley was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 16th round of the 2004 draft and started his professional career with Casper of the Pioneer League that year. He was 1-1 with a 4.93 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched. In his two starts, Stanley was 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, striking out 17 and walking none in 11 innings pitched. In 2005, Stanley played for Tri-City of the Northwest League where he went 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34.1 innings of work. As a senior at Pace University in New York, Stanley was 8-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 12 games. He pitched 74 innings, gave up 56 hits and recorded 69 strikeouts.

"Knobel is a reliever who will throw strikes with a live fastball," Wild Things general manager Ross Vecchio said. "He has very impressive collegiate and pro numbers. Stanley has had success as a starter. He is a tall right-hander with above-average velocity that will throw strikes. We expect both will be able to contribute to this season's pitching staff."

RELEASE COURTESTY OF WASHINGTON WILD THINGS