Goldeyes Welcome Back Reliever Yakel
WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced Friday the signing of right-handed relief pitcher Ryder Yakel, who returns to the club after spending the 2026 season with the Cleburne Railroaders and the Mexican League’s Piratas de Campeche.
Yakel (pronounced YAY-kel) appeared in 34 games for Cleburne in 2026, compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.67 earned run average and 10 saves. The 29-year-old struck out 39 batters while walking just 10 in 34 1/3 innings of work. He also made 11 appearances for Campeche, recording one save and 10 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
The Garden City, Kansas native previously spent two seasons with Winnipeg, establishing himself as a dependable member of the Goldeyes' pitching staff. In 2025, Yakel posted a 2-5 record with a 2.70 ERA and eight saves in 43 appearances, striking out 82 batters while issuing just 11 walks in 66 2/3 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was an impressive 7.45, and he was selected to represent Winnipeg at the 2025 American Association All-Star Game.
Originally acquired from the Frontier League's New York Boulders in March 2024, Yakel went 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA and two saves in his first season with the Goldeyes. He appeared in 31 games, including six spot starts, and struck out 82 batters in 65 2/3 innings.
Following the 2025 campaign, Yakel signed with Campeche in December. Winnipeg subsequently traded his American Association reversionary rights to Cleburne on May 17 in exchange for a player to be named later. He became a free agent following the Railroaders' departure from the American Association to join the National Association of Professional Baseball for the 2027 season.
Yakel has recorded 164 strikeouts in 132 1/3 innings over his two seasons with Winnipeg, compiling a 4-8 record with a 3.13 ERA and 10 saves in 74 appearances.
“It's great news for us that Ryder has decided to return to Winnipeg,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “He was an integral part of our pitching staff in 2024 and 2025, and we expect him to be one of our go-to relievers in high-leverage situations this coming season. We're excited to have him back.”
A product of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, Yakel was named the Great American Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2021. He began his professional career with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League later that year and subsequently pitched for the Joliet Slammers and New York Boulders before joining Winnipeg.
In a second transaction, the Goldeyes have acquired Canadian outfielder Taylor Wright from the Ottawa Titans of the National Association in exchange for a player to be named later.
Wright, 29, spent five seasons with Ottawa, batting .256 with 65 doubles, 42 home runs, 206 runs batted in, and 94 stolen bases in 361 games. The left-handed hitter enjoyed a career year in 2026, establishing personal bests with 18 home runs and 71 RBIs while helping the Titans capture their first Frontier League championship. A versatile player who has seen action in both the outfield and infield, Wright also made 27 pitching appearances for Ottawa, including seven starts.
A native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Wright played two seasons at the University of Maryland, where he batted .290 and established a school single-season record with 20 doubles in 2019. He began his professional career with Ottawa in 2022 and also played for the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League that season, helping the club win its second consecutive championship. Wright was named the Frontier League's Player of the Week in July 2023.
The Goldeyes will open their 2027 American Association home schedule at Blue Cross Park on Friday, May 14 against the Sioux City Explorers. The game will feature the first of nine Fireworks Fridays slated for the upcoming season.
For information about Season Tickets, Mini Packs, Skysuites, and Group Packages, please visit Goldeyes.com/Tickets.
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