Jul 21, 2013 2 min read

Hard-throwing left-handed relief pitcher Al Yevoli became the first Wild Things player this season to join a major league organization when the Chicago Cubs purchased his contract Sunday.

This will be the second stint in affiliated ball for Yevoli, a 23-year-old native of Palm Coast, Fla. After helping Tennessee Wesleyan to the 2012 NAIA national championship, Yevoli signed with the Wild Things last year and had a super season, finishing with a 1-2 record, 2.62 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings.

He was signed by the Atlanta Braves during the offseason, but was released at the end of minor-league spring training.

Yevoli re-signed with the Wild Things and got off to a dreadful start this year. His ERA was 33.00 after five outings. But the lefty, whose fastball can hit 94 mph, had been spectacular of late. Over his last 14 outings, Yevoli had been scored upon only twice and had 21 strikeouts in 17 innings.

Overall, he was 1-1 with a 6.65 ERA and only four walks in 21 2/3 innings.

He will leave today to join the Kane County Cougars, the Cubs’ affiliate in the Class A Midwest League.

“Al came back from affiliated ball and had a rough start. It would have been easy for him to throw in the towel, but he didn’t, and in the last 15 games he’s been lights out,” Washington manager Bart Zeller said. “I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s the type of guy who could be in the big leagues in two years. That wouldn’t surprise me because he has that kind of arm.”

Yevoli made his last appearance Friday against Schaumburg, pitching one inning and striking out the side. Several scouts attended that game, and one from an American League team returned to Consol Energy Park Saturday and Sunday just to see Yevoli pitch again. The Cubs, however, made a contract offer Sunday morning.