A first-year outfielder along with two incoming recruits from UCLA will be a part of the AppleSox this season. Outfielder Chris Keck, outfielder Ty Moore, and right-handed pitcher James Kaprielian will spend their summer playing in Wenatchee.

“It’s so nice to have our relationship with such an accomplished Pac-12 school,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs of the Bruins, who are ranked No. 5 in this week’s Top 25 poll from Baseball America. “Their success speaks for itself and we are fortunate to get the caliber of players that they send us.”

Keck has appeared in twelve games for the Bruins as a freshman, including three starts. Before coming to UCLA, he led the East Bay Athletic League in batting average, home runs, and RBIs as a junior at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif.

“It’s great to see him getting action this spring, especially when you consider some of the high-caliber upper classmen that are in front of him. He is a versatile guy who can not only play the outfield but is also capable of being in the infield,” said Knaggs.

Moore had an outstanding junior season for Mater Dei High School in 2011. He hit .510 with three home runs, 13 doubles, 37 RBI, 39 runs and a school-record 51 hits and was named the 2011 Orange County Player of the Year by the Orange County Register. The highly touted prep was ranked No. 215 in Perfect Game USA's list of the top 300 prospects eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft.

“He can flat out hit. He is a really accomplished player that has put up impressive numbers in high school,” said Knaggs.

Kaprielian was named the CIF Southern Section Division III Player of the Year and Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year after going 11-1 with 80 strikeouts and a 1.09 ERA at Beckman High School in Irvine, Calif., last season.

“As a big kid who has some zip on his fastball, he fits the mold of a prototypical UCLA pitcher,” said Knaggs.

The AppleSox open the 2012 season on the road against the Bellingham Bells on June 1^st. The team will return to Paul Thomas Sr. Field to start a six-game homestand beginning with the home opener on June 5^th against the Bend Elks.

Picture:

Attached photograph of Chris Keck courtesy of the UCLA Sports Information Department.