WALLA WALLA, WA (March 3, 2010) – Junior college baseball traditionally produces some of the great talent in the game, with names like Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick getting discovered out of JC programs. The Sweets are creating strong relationships with some of the premier two-year programs in the country, and these relationships are bearing fruit in the form of top talent for 2010.
“Our baseball staff is focused on finding the best talent in the game, and oftentimes that talent is found on the junior college campuses across the country,” said Sweets GM Zachary Fraser. “Because many of these leagues swing wood bats, these players come well prepared to compete with the best Division I talent in the country.”
The Sweets are adding players from two Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) schools that have a strong history of preparing players for both professional baseball opportunities and progression to top Division I programs to finish their educations. The Sweets have signed three pitchers from Edmonds Community College (Edmonds, WA) and one pitcher from Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA) for the 2010 season.
The players are:
· Jacob Kemmerer, a 6’1”, 180 lb. right-hand pitcher from Issaquah, WA is a sophomore at Edmonds CC. He pitched in the WCL in 2009 with Kelowna, where he went 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA for the Falcons. He kept opponents hitting only .246, and will be a valuable addition to the club because of his familiarity with the league.
· Ryan Bean, a 6’4” 225 lb. right-hand pitcher from Tumwater, WA is a sophomore at Edmonds CC. Bean was a member of the Team C All-State team in 2008 while at Tumwater High School. He was signed to play football out of high school by Central Washington University, but chose to play baseball instead. A powerful presence on the mound, Bean is considered a potential pro prospect, and has accepted a scholarship to Oklahoma City University for 2011.
· Jacob Overbay, a 6’3”, 205 lb. right-hand pitcher, is the younger brother of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay. A solid pitcher who will eat innings and throw strikes, Jacob will be counted on to add stability to the pitching staff in 2010.
· Brett Watson, a 6’0”, 215 lb. left-hand pitcher from Lewiston, ID is a freshman at Walla Walla Community College, where he will be one of the workhorse arms for the Warriors in 2010.
All three Edmonds CC pitchers were found by special advisor Steve Avila. Avila, a former MLB scout for the Cleveland Indians, has been working with the Sweets baseball staff to identify talent throughout the Pacific Northwest that will fit the program the Sweets are building.
The Sweets, an expansion franchise in the West Coast League, will open up the 2010 season by hosting defending league champion Wenatchee AppleSox at Borleske Stadium on June 8. Season tickets are now available by calling 509.522.BALL (2255) or by visiting www.wallawallasweets.com.
About the Walla Walla Sweets:
Walla Walla Sweets is a professionally operated baseball club in the West Coast League. It is led by a group of civic-minded individuals with strong ties to the Walla Walla region and to the game of baseball. The Walla Walla Sweets will strive to provide their fans, sponsors, business partners, and investors with the very best in competitive baseball and entertainment, including atmosphere, comfort, food & beverage, safety, competition, fun and value. For more information, please visit www.wallawallasweets.com.
CONTACT:
Walla Walla Sweets
Zachary Fraser
E: zachary@wallawallasweets.com
P: 509.522.2255
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