Former Intimidators RHP Rienzo to MLB

CLEVELAND (July 30, 2013) - Right-handed pitcher Andre Rienzo has become the 71st player to go from Kannapolis to the Major Leagues. The Chicago White Sox recalled Rienzo from Triple-A Charlotte today, and he is expected to make his MLB debut tonight in Cleveland as the White Sox face the Indians. Rienzo, who spent the 2010 season with Kannapolis, is the second former Intimidators player promoted to the big leagues this season, joining catcher Josh Phegley, who made his MLB debut July 5 with the White Sox. When Rienzo takes the mound, he'll become the first Brazilian-born pitcher in MLB history and only the second Brazilian to reach the Major Leagues.
 
Rienzo, 25, is 8-6 with a 4.06 ERA in 20 starts with the Charlotte Knights this season and is coming off a no hitter in his most recent start, in which he struck out a career-high 11 batters over 7.0 innings the first game of a doubleheader July 25 against Indianapolis. Earlier this month, the Brazilian native pitched a perfect inning for the World team in the MLB Futures Game.   Over his last two months, Rienzo has gone 4-3 with a 1.78 ERA in nine starts, including three complete games with the Knights. He opened this season as the No. 7 Prospect in the White Sox organization according to Baseball America.
 
In 2010, Rienzo spent the season with the Class A Intimidators, going 8-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 20 games (18 starts), including a pair of complete game shutouts. That year, he built a 26.0-inning scoreless streak from July 7-30 and was named the South Atlantic League's Pitcher of the Week for July 12-18. Rienzo finished his season strong, going 8-1 with a 1.95 ERA over his final 12 starts for Kannapolis. He is the 47th player to reach the Major Leagues since the Intimidators became a White Sox affiliate in 2001.
 
Of the 71 players to reach the Major Leagues after playing for the Piedmont/Kannapolis franchise, 31 have made their debut with the White Sox. The franchise was founded in 1995 and served as a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate until 2000. Rienzo is the seventh former Intimidator to on the White Sox 25-man roster, joining Phegley (2009), second baseman Gordon Beckham (2008), and pitchers Dylan Axelrod (2009), Nate Jones (2008-09), Addison Reed (2011), and Hector Santiago (2008),
 
The Kannapolis Intimidators are in their 19th season of professional baseball and 13th season as the Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The team plays at CMC-NorthEast Stadium, located off I-85 at exit 63. For complete ticket and promotional information, please call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.