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CLEBURNE, Tex. (Feb. 10, 2020) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Monday the re-signing of left-handed pitcher Michael Gunn.

Gunn put together a remarkable 2019 season with Cleburne, finishing the year 5-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 15 starts. The left-hander established a new American Association record for most starts in a season without taking a loss, surpassing the previous mark set by Laredo’s Jeremy Strawn in 2014 (9-0, ten starts). Over 78.0 innings, Gunn allowed just 67 hits for an opponent batting average of .229. His rate of 7.7 hits allowed per nine innings would have ranked seventh among American Association starters had Gunn thrown two more innings to qualify. He finished the year with 63 strikeouts to 30 walks, improving his walk rate by nearly four full percentage points from the 2018 campaign (12.8 to 8.9).

The native of Wilson, Arkansas recovered from an early-July injury to deliver several excellent starts down the stretch. Pitching on the road in five of his final six starts, Gunn shut out Sioux City over five innings on August 9, allowed just one run in five innings versus Kansas City on August 14, and fired six hitless innings against Texas on August 24.

Gunn operated as both a starter and a reliever for the Railroaders in 2018, making 22 total appearances including 14 starts. He finished the year 3-8 with a 5.69 ERA, working 87 innings and allowing 100 hits. The southpaw struck out 61 while issuing 41 walks. Prior to his final two starts of the season, Gunn’s ERA was 4.15 with an opponent batting average of .258.

Gunn was phenomenal in three collegiate seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks, posting ERAs of 2.57, 1.21, and 0.74. In 60 career appearances, all out of the bullpen, Gunn was 6-3 with a 1.23 ERA and eight saves. He struck out 89 and allowed just 40 hits in 79.0 innings. As a senior in 2014, Gunn set a program record by allowing only three earned runs in 36.2 innings, finishing the year 4-2 with a 0.74 ERA.

After his junior season, Gunn was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 16th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, beginning his professional career that year with the Gulf Coast Red Sox. In 2015, Gunn shuffled between three different levels, climbing as high as High-A Salem for one appearance. He finished the season 0-4 with a 5.98 ERA, and was released by the Red Sox organization.

Gunn latched on with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League in 2016, going 3-1 with a 4.68 ERA, then moved to the Pittsburg Diamonds of the Pacific Association for the 2017 campaign. It was with the Diamonds that Gunn first took on the role of starter, going 5-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 16 appearances and 12 starts.

The signing of Gunn gives the Railroaders nine players under contract for the 2020 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which begins May 7.

2020 Signings

INF Alay Lago
C John Nester
C Blake Grant-Parks
RHP Jesus Sanchez
INF Chase Simpson
RHP Alex Boshers
OF Angel Reyes
RHP Angelo Palumbo
LHP Michael Gunn

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.