WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes are coming off back-to-back championships and on Monday announced they’ve locked up a big piece of their roster as they pursue a third-straight American Association title by re-signing left-handed ace Kevin McGovern for the 2018 season.

McGovern is coming off one of the best seasons in Goldeyes history, going 13-3 in 21 starts while posting a remarkable 2.56 ERA. The 28-year-old from Philadelphia allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 21 starts, and allowed three or fewer earned runs in 17 of them.

“I’m very excited that Kevin is coming back,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney. “Kevin is very durable and reliable, and has turned himself into one of the better starters in the league.”

McGovern ranked tied for first in the league in wins, third in ERA, tied for third in strikeouts, and fifth in innings. The 2.56 ERA ranks third on the American Association’s single-season list and first on the Goldeyes’ single-season list among pitchers with at least 140.0 innings. In the last two years the left-hander has six complete games on his resume, which ties him for fifth in Goldeyes’ history. In the 12-year history of the American Association, McGovern is one of only four pitchers to reach 100-plus strikeouts in three different seasons.

McGovern joins returning starters Charlie Rosario and Edwin Carl to solidify a solid starting rotation for the Goldeyes, along with relief pitchers Cameron McVey, Mitch Lambson, and Victor Capellan, who have all been re-signed for the upcoming season. In total, the Goldeyes have 14 players under contract for the upcoming season.

The Goldeyes open the 2018 season on May 18th on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders. The Goldeyes’ 2018 home opener is Friday, May 25th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries at Shaw Park.

Bill Burfoot, Manitoba Post

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