APPLESOX ADDING THREE JUCO TALENTS FROM WASHINGTON

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

AppleSox adding three JUCO talents from Washington

Familiar friends, Washington JUCOs, and all sophomores. Nathan Woodside, Noah Figuered, and Sawyer Wickerstrom may play for different programs, but they have quite a few similarities below the surface.

All three are finding their way to Wenatchee this year, and each one adds depth to their position group. Whether that’s an undersized catcher keeping runners in their place, a middle infielder swiping bag after bag, or a righty starter who has found his groove in JUCO, the ‘Sox picked three quality faces to join their ranks.

So, let’s peel back the curtain on these JUCO sophomores…

Nathan Woodside - C - Sophomore

Out of Woodinville, Washington, the ‘Sox are scooping up a catcher with a golden glove behind the dish. Currently at Lower Columbia Community College, Woodside is not exactly slugging the baseball, but he makes up for it with his defense.

Through 23 games, the 5-foot-7 sophomore is batting 0.222 with just 12 hits, nine RBIs, and one double. He has posted no triples and no home runs, making that one double his only extra-base hit of the year.

But the 0.993 fielding percentage jumps off the page immediately. To complement it, he has already thrown out four runners this year.

It makes sense considering his accolades from high school. A first-team All-Kinco selection in 2023 and a second-team selection in 2024. He excelled in his high school career, and now he is doing the same with the Red Devils.

Woodside is not alone on his trip to Wenatchee. He joins Harlan Rowe, who has been a Swiss Army Knife with Lower Columbia thus far.

​With Rowe as a pitcher and Woodside as a catcher, the two battery mates will be reunited this summer in Wenatchee.

Noah Figuered - INF - Sophomore

After spending last summer with the Bellingham Bells in the WCL, the ‘Sox have flipped Figuered to the valley. He is currently in his second year with Edmonds Community College, and his numbers paint a very clear picture.  

The kid out of El Cajon, California, committed to the Tritons out of high school and immediately got to work. A 0.281 average, 47 hits, 13 doubles, 35 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases made up his explosive freshman year in Edmonds.

​Of course, the glove was a little shaky that first year, with Figuered botching 13 plays in the middle infield and recording a 0.936 fielding percentage.

However, he has one-upped himself this season. A 0.315 average, 10 doubles, 46 hits, only three errors, and an insane 53 stolen bases. With eight games left on the slate, Figuered has plenty of time to continue growing his numbers and possibly break into 60 stolen bases.

A career 52 RBIs and 82 stolen bases are what truly pop about Figuered. After snatching him away from the Bells, the ‘Sox will be benefiting from both his speed on the basepaths and his clutch factor at the plate.

He is one of two Tritons who will be coming to the valley this summer, and as someone who does nothing but improve, he should be an exciting face to watch up the middle.  

Sawyer Wickerstrom - RHP - Sophomore

From the right side, Wenatchee is adding a Trojan who finds three familiar faces in the valley this year. Wickerstrom is joining Dylan Dyer, Basil Hendrix, and Hiroshi Johnson on the ‘Sox squad this summer, all three of his current teammates at Everett Community College.

He is a first-year Trojan, given that he started his journey at Utah Valley during his freshman season. Wickerstrom made just six cameos with the Wolverines, tossing six innings and giving up four runs. That rang up his ERA at a flat 6.00 in his Utah Valley career.

After that, Wickerstrom took the step down to JUCO, heading back to his hometown of Bothell. Ever since setting foot on the Everett rubber, he has not once looked back.  

As one of Everett’s starters, Wickerstrom has made ten appearances this year. In about five innings per outing, he has posted a 1.29 ERA, only seven earned runs, 20 walks, and 62 punchouts.

Essentially, Wickerstrom has found a home at the JUCO level. Now with Wenatchee this summer, he will have a chance to test his arm against a good mix of college talent.

As the fourth Trojan pitcher on the roster, Wickerstrom bolsters a bullpen that is stuffed to the brim. But his numbers against NWAC bats may give him an edge to grab a starting spot in the rotation.  

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

THREE RUSTLER RELIEVERS COMING TO WENATCHEE IN 2026

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

​Three Rustler relievers coming to Wenatchee in 2026

One Washington southpaw and two California righties. Out of Golden State College, the AppleSox are adding three more pitchers to the roster. Marcel Mercado, Elias Reyes, and Cristian Brewster are each swapping California for the Wenatchee Valley this season.

While one has already gotten plenty of college experience, the other two are diamonds in the rough, getting their shot at the college stage. All three have been used regularly by Golden State this year, and are on pace to be solid arms in the valley.

So, who are these new Rustler relievers joining the ‘Sox…

Marcel Mercado - LHP - Junior

With three years under his belt, Mercado brings the most college experience out of the trio. He is currently with the Golden State Rustlers in California, but before that, the Tacoma native got his start in JUCO with his hometown Titans at Tacoma Community College. In his first two years with the Titans, he made just 12 total appearances. But, in that time, he managed to lock down JUCO bats from the left side.

His freshman year only featured him in six outings, all of which were in relief. He posted his best ERA in that inaugural season, finishing at 1.46 with nine strikeouts and only two earned runs.

In his sophomore campaign, he made his first four starts in college ball. After that second year, Mercado’s ERA inflated to 6.64 with 17 strikeouts, 15 earned runs, and 19 hits.

After his two years with the Titans, Mercado headed south to join the Golden State Rustlers in California.

While there, he has made 13 appearances so far. A majority of those, eight to be exact, have been starts. He’s posting a 3.69 ERA off 13 earned runs, 30 strikeouts, and only 11 walks.

Every year, Mercado has been handed more responsibility, and he has not buckled once. That makes sense when you realize how dominant he was back in his high school days.

Out of Stadium High School, the 6-foot-2 left-hander worked three seasons of varsity ball. In those three seasons, he never once posted an ERA above 2.00.

Back in his home state this summer, Mercado makes his first stop in summer league baseball with the ‘Sox. As a starting arm with relief potential, he is one of just seven lefties joining Wenatchee this year.

But, as someone who develops consistently each year, the valley will be a perfect place for him to stay hot.

Elias Reyes - RHP - Freshman

Coming out of high school, the West Covina, California, native did not stand out that much. In 2025, he was the No. 492 overall prospect in California and the No. 174 right-handed prospect in the state.

Sitting at triple digits in the prospect rankings is not the most impressive. However, upon closer inspection, you see exactly why the Rustlers snatched him out of high school.

In his three years at South Hills High School, Reyes locked down the right side in relief. His freshman year was rocky, with Reyes posting just seven appearances and a 4.42 ERA.

After that, his sophomore year was not much better. He made three fewer appearances, but did manage to shave the ERA down to 3.00.

​It was not until his senior year that he showed exactly what he is capable of. With a career high 14 appearances, Reyes posted a 1.89 ERA with 12 earned runs, 18 walks, and a preposterous 51 strikeouts.

Those 51 punchouts jump out immediately to anyone paying attention, and apparently, the Rustlers were paying attention.

So far with Golden State, Reyes is leading the team for appearances at 17. In that time, he has a 3.31 ERA with 13 earned runs, 16 walks, and 29 strikeouts. On top of that, he leads the squad for saves at two, which is not a lot, but still leads the team.

With 35 ⅓ innings of work, Reyes averages about two innings per appearance with the Rustlers. As a mid-length reliever, he has already closed out seven Golden State wins this season, making him a door slammer with the Rustlers.

As a diamond in the rough, the ‘Sox will benefit from Reyes’ swing and miss stuff in the valley. Reyes is playing his first year of summer league baseball with Wenatchee, and he could shape up to be their go-to closer in 2026.

Cristian Brewster - RHP - Freshman

Although he is just a freshman, Brewster brings some built-in college experience with him to Wenatchee. That experience comes from the season he spent with the Yakima Valley Pippins, a conference opponent of the AppleSox.

While he only played four games with the Pippins, his production was undeniable. In eight total innings, Brewster coughed up only four runs, five walks, and whiffed nine batters. He made all of those appearances in relief, making him a useful arm out of the pen to shut down opposing offenses.

Now with the Rustlers, he is back to his old tricks. In nine cameos so far this year, he has racked up a 1.16 ERA with just three runs, only 15 hits, 12 walks, and a lopsided 29 strikeouts.

While he may have committed to Cal State Fullerton out of high school, he has found a home with the Rustlers. Much like Reyes, Brewster was not the highest-rated right-hander out of high school.

In 2023, Brewster was the No. 125 overall player and No. 47 right-handed pitcher in California. The Rustlers must have an affinity for underrated righties from California, and in both cases, it has paid off.

So, Brewster swaps divisions in the West Coast League, making the hour-and-a-half drive from Yakima to Wenatchee in 2026. As a relief arm that has closed out game after game with the Rustlers, the ‘Sox will no doubt lean on the Porter Ranch native all summer in the valley.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

AppleSox Partner With Confluence Health to Bring Kids to the Park for Free This Summer

Opening Day of the 2026 season is just around the corner, and the Wenatchee AppleSox are partnering with Confluence Health to bring children 12 and under to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for free this summer.

Children 12 and under will receive free general admission when accompanied by a paid adult.

The AppleSox have a long tradition of bringing families together each summer, and this partnership- now in its second year - aims to make those experiences more accessible for the community.

AppleSox General Manager Allie Schank said Confluence Health has gone above and beyond traditional support of the team.

“Together, we’ve been able to make family entertainment and athletics more accessible, helping remove barriers that might otherwise keep families from sharing in these experiences,” Schank said. “Because of this partnership, more families with kids can come watch the Wenatchee AppleSox, imagine themselves on that field one day, and see future Major League Baseball talent right here in our community.”

Confluence Health CEO Andrew Jones says the games offer more than just baseball.

"At Confluence Health, our mission is local care by and for our community, and we know that caring for this community also means supporting opportunities that bring people together and inspire connection across generations," Jones said. "We’re proud to partner with the AppleSox to help ensure access to community baseball and create shared moments that bring families, fans, and our region closer together."

General admission tickets for adults are $9 and available now at applesox.com.

The AppleSox open their home schedule with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch, on June 5 with gates opening at 5:30 p.m., against the Kamloops NorthPaws.

APPLESOX ADD TO THE BULLPEN, INFIELD, AND OUTFIELD WITH THREE NEWBIES

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

AppleSox add to the bullpen, infield, and outfield with three newbies

Different home states, different positions, and different stages of college ball. Akanni Owodunni, Levi Grothen, and Yahir Acevedo may have a lot of differences, but they do have one thing in common: all three are coming to Wenatchee this summer.  

A high school senior just beginning his college journey, a freshman itching to find his footing, and a Puerto Rican who is finding his fellow Roadrunner in the valley. All three jump off the page for their own reasons.

So, who are these intriguing new faces...

Akanni Owodunni - Corner Infield/Catcher - High school senior

Out of Berkeley High School in California, the ‘Sox are adding a certified slugger from the right side. The 6-foot-2 and 215-pound Oakland native may be committed to the University of San Diego for 2027, but he is on loan to Wenatchee this upcoming summer.

Taking away his senior year, which is still underway, you see exactly why the ‘Sox want him on the roster. A career 0.317 average, 45 hits, 48 RBIs, 10 doubles, and nine home runs is what he accumulated in the lead-up to this season.

In the field, you see he is a bat-first player. Three years of varsity, and he racked up 11 errors, a majority of which were in his junior year,, when he totaled six. This dropped him to a 0.954 fielding percentage.

Aside from the fielding, his junior year was still very productive, specifically at the dish. Last year, he led the Yellowjackets in home runs (6), doubles (6), RBIs (18), and slugging percentage (0.769). On top of that, he was second for hits (24) and third for average (0.369).

Essentially, when he gets hold of the ball, he launches it. The average wasn't the best, but he makes up for it with the clutch factor shown by his slugging and RBI lead.

The home run pop and ability to drive in runs are qualities the ‘Sox are excited to have. Before he joins the Toreros in the West Coast Conference, he will have the chance to wade into the water in Wenatchee.

Levi Grothen - RHP - Freshman

Adding to the already packed bullpen, the ‘Sox are bringing a PNW kid who is slinging it with Cal State Bakersfield this spring. After graduating from Woodinville High School last year, Grothen made the trek south to join the Roadrunners in California.  

The 6-foot-2 righty has made just two appearances with Bakersfield this year, his most recent being on April 14. In the 1 ⅓ innings of work he has received, Grothen handed over four earned runs off four hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. This gives him a bloated ERA of 27.00 on his freshman ledger.

If you want a better look at Grothen’s talents, you can peer back to high school. With the Woodinville Falcons, Grothen made 48 varsity appearances. His first two years were underwhelming, posting a 5.30 ERA in his sophomore season and a 5.70 ERA the year prior.

After that, he locked in… big time. A 0.68 ERA in his junior year and a career-best 0.28 ERA in his senior season capped off a stellar high school career.

What stands out specifically about those four varsity campaigns is the fact that Grothen made zero starts. All 48 appearances came in relief.

As a dominant relief man looking to find his stride in college ball, the ‘Sox are the perfect landing spot for Grothen. With a bullpen that can benefit from his late-game

Yahir Acevedo - OF - Redshirt junior

All the way from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Acevedo is making the 3,700-mile journey across the country to join Wenatchee this summer. The 5-foot-10 and 189-pound outfielder is a true lefty and will be bringing his slugging potential with him to the valley.

Along with Grothen, Acevedo is now the second current Roadrunner to join the ‘Sox. Similar to Grothen, Acevedo is a fresh face in Bakersfield this year.

Prior to California, Acevedo spent two years with El Paso Community College in Texas. During his time with the Tejanos, the power lefty crushed the baseball.

He wasted no time, smoking 69 hits his freshman year along with six home runs, 22 doubles, four triples, and 52 RBIs. He sat out his sophomore season, but did not miss a beat in his junior year.

He mirrored his freshman year almost perfectly with 69 hits, 22 doubles, 43 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.933. What’s all the more impressive is the 16 stolen bases he swiped in El Paso.

Speed, power, and consistency. That was the trio that Acevedo brought to the Tejanos in his two years.

Pair that with the fact that he was the No. 17 overall prospect in Puerto Rico, and you see exactly why Bakersfield wanted to snatch him up. So far this year, he has cameoed in just 24 games, where he has posted a 0.205 average.

He has started just 11 of those games, but has still managed nine hits, seven RBIs, two doubles, and a stolen base. He has also been perfect in the field, recording no errors on 17 chances.

A power-hitting base thief who locks down the outfield grass? You will be hard-pressed to find a better addition to the roster than that. Now with Wenatchee, his hot bat will no doubt terrorize WCL opponents all summer.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

WENATCHEE WELCOMING THREE POSITION PLAYERS TO THE DIAMOND

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Wenatchee welcoming three position players to the diamond

An Anteater, a Gaucho, and a Cardinal walk into Wenatchee. No, it’s not the setup to a bad joke, but rather a trio of newcomers that are coming to the ‘Sox for 2026. Zach Doyle, Colin Beazizo, and Alika Ahu are each joining Wenatchee this season, and each is coming from a very different walk of life.

The three newcomers include a redshirt freshman finding his fellow Anteater in the valley, a junior being reunited with his JUCO pals, and a Stanford commit traversing the Pacific to join the mainland.

So, with no further ado, who exactly are these new faces?

Zach Doyle - OF - Redshirt freshman

Michael Podstreleny will be greeted by a familiar face when he arrives in Wenatchee. Doyle is accompanying his fellow UC Irvine teammate to the valley this summer, and both are lending their power from the left side.

Doyle similarly sat out his freshman year. However, as soon as he touched the dirt this season, Irvine has been hard-pressed to take him off it.

Through 28 games with the Anteaters, Doyle has delivered 18 hits, three doubles, one triple, 12 RBIs, and three stolen bases. Crunch the numbers, and this gives him a 0.214 average with a 0.627 OPS. Those percentages are not jaw-dropping, but when you notice the 0.977 fielding percentage, it becomes all the more impressive.

Prior to this current campaign with Irvine, Doyle spent last summer with the Minot Hot Tots in the Northwoods League. Looking at the plate production there, you see a similar story to what he’s doing with the Anteaters.

A 0.208 average in 30 games with 22 hits, 15 RBI’s, and three home runs was the ultimate damage report for Doyle. He did not record any doubles or triples with the Hot Tots, meaning singles were his bread and butter throughout the summer.

Doyle got a sneak peek of Beazizo this week, when the Anteaters took on UC Santa Barbara in a three-game set. Doyle only got two at-bats on the weekend, both of which he struck out. The salt in the wound was the singular error that he made in game one, breaking his flawless streak.

Essentially,

With a solid glove in the field and a competent bat, Doyle will be a dangerous face prowling the outfield for the ‘Sox.

Colin Beazizo - OF - Junior

Similar to Doyle, Beazizo will find some familiar faces in the valley. Prior to joining UC Santa Barbara this year, he spent two seasons with Everett Community College in the NWAC. The ‘Sox are bringing four current Trojans onto the roster this season, three of whom Beazizo played with during his time there.

Those three former teammates are Dylan Dyer, Basil Hendrix, and Trevor Young. With all three being pitchers, Beazizo will be backing up his former Trojan teammates from the outfield.

In his two seasons with Everett, the Lake Stevens native did one thing and one thing only… improve. His freshman campaign was less than pretty, batting 0.182 with just 25 hits in 40 games. On top of that, he had 36 strikeouts on the year.

Flash forward a year, and Beazizo was unrecognizable. A 0.381 average, 22 RBIs, four home runs, and only nine strikeouts wrapped up his sophomore year in seven fewer games played.

In addition, he committed just one error in Everett, giving him a 0.993 fielding percentage. If that wasn’t enough, you take a peek at the stolen bases. While he only swiped 11 in his freshman year, he more than doubled it last season, giving him a total of 39 bags with the Trojans.

After that, he swapped the PNW for sunny Santa Barbara when he committed to the Gauchos. So far in 26 games, he has popped 21 hits, one double, one triple, and one home run. This brings his average to 0.313 with an OPS of 0.838.

While in the outfield grass, he has fumbled three plays, dropping his fielding percentage to a career low of 0.917. But the flashes at the plate make the occasional bumble worth it.

In the series against Doyle’s Anteaters, for example, Beazizo scorched the ball. He finished the weekend with four hits, one RBI, one double, and one triple. In the leadoff spot, he came around to score three times total in the series. The Gauchos won the weekend 2-1, in large part to Beazizo’s hot bat.

Finally back in his home state, Beazizo brings built-in chemistry with Hendrix, Young, and Dyer. As a guy who continually improves every year, he is exactly what the ‘Sox are searching for in the summer.  

Alika Ahu - INF - High school senior

All the way from Hawaii, the 6-foot-4 middle infielder will be getting his feet wet in Wenatchee before he joins Stanford next season. Although he has yet to don his cap and gown, Ahu is an enticing young talent to plug and play in the infield.

With Pac-Five High School in Honolulu, Ahu is entering his third tour of duty at the varsity level. Prior to this year, he held a 0.333 average, 17 hits, four doubles, two triples, and no home runs. He did all that in just 16 games played.

In the field, his glove did not exactly stand out. Last year, he was second on the squad for errors with four, despite being fourth on the team for total chances at 45.

Despite the defensive blunders, he made up for it by leading the Wolfpack offensively. Ahu was first on the team for hits (15), triples (2), RBIs (9), and stolen bases (5). During that time, he only struck out four times while also clocking in a 0.869 OPS, second best on the squad.

Considering that Ahu has yet to hear Pomp and Circumstance, there is only so much to take away from his high school ledger. What can be gathered is that he has a lot of room to grow. The flashes of offensive promise are there, coupled with a glove that can be dialed in.

With a full summer of ‘Sox baseball on his itinerary, he has plenty of time to smooth out the kinks before he joins Stanford in 2027.  

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

APPLESOX BUILD THE BATTERY WITH THREE NEWCOMERS

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

AppleSox build the battery with three newcomers

Backing up the bullpen and the battery as a whole, the AppleSox are tacking three newcomers onto the roster, all three from different schools. AJ Cox, Derek Render, and Michael Podstreleny may be unfamiliar faces to each other, but that will change quickly this summer in Wenatchee.

As two pitchers and one catcher, they help balance out the battery perfectly. One is a sophomore right-hander returning to the college baseball stage, another is a Nevada native who was a standout two-way player in high school, and the last is a catcher finally getting a taste of college ball after an impressive high school career.

So, who exactly are these young newcomers joining the valley…

AJ Cox - RHP - Sophomore

Cox’s college baseball journey has been less than linear. Out of high school, the Porterville, California native committed to Cal State Bakersfield, and it did not go as he likely predicted.

In two years with the Roadrunners, Cox got just four games of action. His first year was less than ideal, with Cox pitching just one total inning and giving up four earned runs, skyrocketing his ERA to 36.00. Year two was almost identical, but with the exception of a 5.40 ERA, leagues better than his freshman year.

However, that was all she wrote for Cox’s time in Bakersfield.

After just four games at the division one level, Cox packed his bags and headed to Folsom Lake College, a JUCO in Parkway, California. Now with the Falcons, he has really found his stride.

In 17 appearances this year, he has been a lockdown relief arm, allowing just 17 hits, four earned runs, 13 walks, and an impressive 30 strikeouts. This gives him a career-best ERA of 1.86.

What might get lost in the sauce was Cox’s single summer season with the Portland Pickles in 2024. Cox got limited action in the Rose City, appearing in just four relief stints and posting a 5.40 ERA.

Now with the AppleSox, he will be swapping divisions and states in the WCL. While his career got off to a rocky start in Bakersfield, he has an opportunity with the Falcons and AppleSox to both showcase and grow his talents in the valley.

Standing at a towering 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he may prove to be a power righty that can silence opposing bats all summer long in Wenatchee.

Derek Render - RHP - Redshirt freshman

Out of Boulder City High School in Nevada, Render has only one game under his belt with the Utah Tech Trail Blazers. He sat out his freshman year and has appeared in just a single game this season.

In that single relief outing, he gave up five earned runs in 0.0 innings. This gives him a 99.00 ERA on the season, which is comedic.

With that being his only college ledger, we have to dig up his high school statsheet to better understand Render.

In three varsity seasons, Render wrapped up with a 2.12 ERA. This was due to only 20 earned runs, just 41 hits, and nearly 90 punchouts.

In his high school days, he also shone at the plate, batting a career 0.368. This earned him three all-conference selections as an infielder. In fact, Render was the No. 4 ranked shortstop in Nevada for his recruiting class.

Since arriving at Utah Tech, he has kept the bat in the bag, focusing on his pitching. With a near triple-digit ERA thus far, the only place to go for Render is up.

With Wenatchee being his first stop in summer league play, he will want to use as many reps as he can to grow on the bump. Hopefully, in the valley, he can get back to his high school dominance and provide some needed relief out of the bullpen.

Michael Podstreleny - C - Redshirt freshman

A pitcher is only as good as their catcher, and that’s where Podstreleney comes in. As one of the only true catchers added to the roster thus far, Podstreleny helps bolster this already stacked bullpen.

Out of high school, he was the No. 23 catching prospect in California. Looking at the stat sheet you see why.

As a switch-hitting catcher, he raked at the dish, batting a career 0.291 with five home runs, 38 RBIs, and 12 total doubles. He really broke out in his senior year, where he tallied career highs for hits (27), RBI’s (22), home runs (3), and average (0.346).

The San Diego native kept his talents local when he committed to UC Irvine. He rode the pine in his freshman year and did not make his collegiate debut until this season. In four games, Podstreleny has yet to record a hit, keeping his batting average at around 0.000.

​Since getting to college, he has put aside his switch-hitting ways and consolidated to the left side of the plate. Still, he has gotten limited chances with the Anteaters, making his latest cameo on March 20 against Oregon State.

But you cannot argue with the high school production. The home run power with the average to back it up makes him an impact bat anywhere he goes, even if it hasn’t shown up with Irvine yet.  

With Podstreleny making his summer league debut in Wenatchee, he may become a cornerstone face behind the dish. Although he has gotten limited reps in the spring, summer could be his time to shine in the valley.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

A PAIR OF WASHINGTONIANS FINDING THEIR WAY BACK HOME THIS SUMMER

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A pair of Washingtonians finding their way back home this summer

Both newcomers may be in different corners of the country, but they each will be coming home for their summer season in Wenatchee. Tyler Schuyleman and Harlan Rowe are both heading north for this coming season with the ‘Sox, returning to their native state.

The pair of sophomore right-handers may look similar on paper, but they have some stark differences on closer inspection. While one is a familiar face in the valley, the other is a slugging Swiss Army knife who adds depth everywhere he goes.

So, let's get acquainted with this pair of pitchers…

Tyler Schuyleman - RHP - Sophomore

Schuyleman will be getting a lot of deja vu when he steps foot in the valley. The reason is that he is a native of Wenatchee. The righty sophomore attended Wenatchee High School and, in fact, played for Wenatchee Valley College before making the move to Georgia Gwinnett this year.

Although he spent two years with the Knights in the valley, he did not record any stats. On top of that, his high school stats are not available. So, that places a huge shroud on Schuyleman’s abilities from the right side.

But, with four appearances already with the Gwinnett Grizzlies, we do have that to reference. In his four appearances, the most recent being March 28, he has inflated his ERA to a whopping 27.00.

That comes from eight hits, nine earned runs, two walks, and only one strikeout. All of that happened in the span of 3.0 innings, all of which were in relief.

Basically, Schuyleman’s limited ledger does not paint the best picture of his capabilities. He still has half a season left before his cross-country trek home from Georgia, and he will be looking to shave down the double-digit ERA.

However, as a Wenatchee native, he will be back in his old stomping grounds for a full summer of ‘Sox baseball this season.

Harlan Rowe - Sophomore - RHP

Yes, he is listed as a right-handed pitcher… but that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Rowe. The Monroe native has only made seven appearances on the bump in his career, but makes up for it with 78 games swinging the bat from a variety of different spots on the diamond.

Rowe has gotten the bulk of his work from the DH spot, with a little outfield and first base work sprinkled in. In one and a half years thus far with Lower Columbia Basin College in Longview, he is batting 0.301 with 68 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, and two home runs.

His performance at the plate last year had him fourth on the squad for hits and doubles, third for RBIs, second for slugging, and first for average at an impressive 0.336. If that wasn’t enough, you forgot that he is a pitcher as well.

From the bump last year, he made just five appearances, three of which were starts. In 12.0 innings of work, he coughed up nine hits, three earned runs, seven walks, and only one strikeout. This plopped his ERA at 2.25, which is not the most eye-catching but far from terrible.

This year, he has yet to allow a run, giving him an unfettered 0.00 ERA with no walks and two strikeouts. At the dish, he is batting 0.257, coming up short of the 0.336 bar he set last year.

With an impressive career already built up in Longview, he is now bringing that talent to Wenatchee. As someone who can impact the game from the dish and the rubber, he will be a useful tool for the ‘Sox this season.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

WENATCHEE ADDING THREE WASHINGTON NATIVES TO THE ROSTER

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Wenatchee adding three Washington natives to the roster

While they may play for different schools, all three future AppleSox are products of the Pacific Northwest. Alex Chamberlain, Patrick Galvin, and Micah Coleman are all joining Wenatchee this summer, and each is bringing a different skill set to the table.

The three Washingtonians will each be getting their first taste of summer ball in Wenatchee. With a junior who tallied triple-digit hits in JUCO, a sophomore who made 18 relief appearances last year, and a junior who swiped 23 bags in Everett, the ‘Sox are acquiring three unique tools for the summer.

So, let’s take a gander at who they are…

Alex Chamberlain - INF - Junior

Clocking in at an impressive 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, the Fall City native will be joining the ‘Sox after this current season with Seattle University. Chamberlain finds his way to the Redhawks after two years with the Columbia Basin Hawks.

During his Hawks heyday, Chamberlain smacked the cover off the baseball. A career 0.327 average, 116 hits, 77 RBI’s, and 24 doubles concluded his plate production with Columbia.

If you glance year over year, you see an eye-catching jump in production. 14 more hits, 15 more RBIs, four more home runs, and 21 more runs scored.

Chamberlain popped off in his sophomore campaign, earning his move to the Redhawks this year. While he has yet to see the field in Seattle, his damage report with Columbia says everything you need to know.

As a right-handed slugger who can develop year after year, Chamberlain could prove productive in a ‘Sox jersey.

Patrick Galvin - RHP - Sophomore

After four years at O’Dea High School in Seattle, Galvin committed to the Redhawks for his freshman year. Standing at a towering 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, he has the prototypical pitcher’s build.

Galvin was the No. 68 overall prospect in Washington back in 2024. Shrink down to righty pitchers, and he checked in at No. 20.

In his inaugural season, the now sophomore made 18 appearances out of the bullpen, giving up 27 hits, 22 earned runs, 19 strikeouts, and 18 walks. This raised his ERA to a less-than-impressive 8.87.

He averaged 1 ⅓ innings per outing last year, making him a short-stint reliever. With a fastball that topped out at 85 miles per hour in high school, he likely will not blow the doors off too many people.

But the 19 strikeouts in his freshman year show the deception that he has in his back pocket. As a developing reliever, Galvin could get plenty of chances to grow in the valley this summer.

Micah Coleman - INF - Junior

One of these three is not like the other, and that would be Coleman. Although he is currently at USC Upstate for his junior year, the Mill Creek native began his collegiate career at Everett Community College for his initial two seasons.

Coleman is now the third Trojan to join Wenatchee. Dylan Dyer, Basil Hendrix, and Hiroshi Johnson are the three current Everett additions that were announced earlier this year.

With the Trojans, Coleman truly shone. In his 95 career games, he only recorded 25 extra-base hits. But, he makes up for it with 102 career hits, a 0.844 OPS, and 23 stolen bases. 16 of those swipes came in his sophomore year.

His plate production stood out, but his fielding was not quite to the same bar. Last year, he led the team in errors (9) while ranking third in chances (186). That dropped his fielding percentage to 0.952, which is not terrible, but definitely shows that Coleman is a bat-heavy infielder.

Now with the Upstate Ingles, he has moved all the way to South Carolina to finish out his college baseball journey. But that will not stop him from returning to his roots in Wenatchee during the summer.

As a contact hitter who can threaten on the basepaths, Coleman serves as a solid infield tool for the ‘Sox. For his first-ever summer ball season, Coleman picked a ‘Sox squad that will put his speed on the basepaths to good use.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

AppleSox Featuring a Host of Specialty Game Nights This Summer

The Wenatchee AppleSox are gearing up for their 26th season this summer and have a host of special game nights coming for fans in the Wenatchee Valley.

Fireworks night, three different bobblehead giveaway nights, two Bark in the Park nights, and the annual Cuffs vs Axes Softball Charity game headline special events at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Join the AppleSox for the first Bark in the Park night, presented by Earthwise Pet Shop, and Opening Day, June 5, as Wenatchee welcomes in the Kamloops NorthPaws for three games. Kids Day is also part of Opening Weekend, Saturday, June 6, with lots of kids-centered fun and activities, sponsored by Wenatchee Youth Baseball.

The Springfield Drifters come to town June 9-11. Wenatchee Insurance Company is sponsoring Pride Night at the AppleSox on June 10, featuring some fun Pride-themed giveaway items. On June 11, join the AppleSox for Hispanic Heritage Night, sponsored by Bustos Media. Locally owned Hispanic businesses will be featured throughout the evening.

The first of three bobblehead giveaways coincides with the second Bark in the Park night, Saturday, June 20, presented by Firehouse Pet Shop. Be one of the first 500 fans to Paul Thomas and receive a Coyote bobblehead with the Firehouse mascot on the side. A special shoutout to Fromm Family Pet Foods for sponsoring this Bark in the Park night.

The annual AppleSox Fireworks Show is after the game on Friday, July 3, as the 'Sox take on the Edmonton RiverHawks. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged due to popularity.

On July 4, Stemilt Growers partners with the AppleSox to bring fans an opportunity to bring home a Coyote bobblehead, featuring the beloved mascot on an apple crate. This special bobblehead is a tribute to Wenatchee as the Apple Capital of the World.

Gesa Credit Union partners with the AppleSox on July 10 to honor America's heroes, with a Veterans' Day Salute to Service. Veterans receive free general admission tickets, while the local VFW and American Legion Post 10 will also have some tickets available for pick-up.

Make sure to be at the park Saturday, July 25, as the AppleSox celebrate head coach Mitch Darlington achieving 100 victories with the AppleSox. Darlington is only the second coach to ever accomplish the feat (Ed Knaggs, 2001-2014), and the fastest to ever do so. The AppleSox are giving 500 Mitch Darlington bobbleheads to lucky fans entering the gates early. This specialty bobblehead is made possible by Pepsi and Weinstein Beverage Company.

For the final series home series of the season, the AppleSox welcome in the Victoria Harbourcats Aug. 3-5, with two special game nights. Aug. 4 is the Munchen Haus Oktoberfest, bringing Bavarian flavor to the ballpark a bit early.

On Aug. 5, it's Hawaiian Night, with Sunny FM, Journey Travel and Tours, and the AppleSox putting on a special bowling contest for a chance to win a trip to Hawaii.

Don't forget about special AppleSox events this summer, as the AppleSox host the local MLB Pitch, Hit & Run camp from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Paul Thomas.

There will also be two kids' camps, where youth have a chance to receive instruction from the coaching staff and players. The 11 and under All-Skills youth Camp is 9 a.m. to noon June 29 and 30. The 11 and up All-Skills Youth Camp is from 9 a.m. to noon on July 13 and 14.

Single-game tickets go on sale April 15.

APPLESOX SNAG TWO NIGHTHAWKS FOR THE SUMMER

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

AppleSox snag two Nighthawks for the summer

From Northwest Nazarene University, the AppleSox are adding two new faces who each have a wide range of experience in college ball. Grayden Lucas and Max Paterson are each heading north for Wenatchee to suit up on the same squad yet again.

Whether it’s a redshirt freshman with an interesting quirk or a redshirt junior who batted 0.284 in JUCO, Wenatchee is getting a talented duo on the diamond.

So, let’s break down who these new additions are…

Grayden Lucas - LHP - Redshirt freshman

Watching Lucas pitch gives many baseball fans flashbacks to Jim Abbot. Why’s that? Well, much like Abbot, Lucas does not have a right hand.

In 2006, the now redshirt freshman from Nampa, Idaho, was born without his right appendage. However, it has not slowed him down for a moment.

He was the No. 7 overall player in Idaho as well as the No. 2 overall lefty pitcher in the state back in 2024. Fresh off the graduation stage, Lucas stayed close to home when he committed to Northwest Nazarene to play ball.

Although he did not play at all with the Nighthawks last year, he did get to work with the Sawtooth Sockeyes during the 2025 summer season.

With the Sockeyes, Lucas made 13 relief appearances, averaging 1 ⅔ innings per appearance. He also struck out 23 batters, walked 15, gave up 11 hits, and just seven earned runs.

Lucas reps a fastball that clocks in at 86 miles per hour and a four-pitch arsenal that clearly fooled college bats in the summer. The quartet of the fastball, curve, cutter, and changeup makes Lucas a versatile southpaw that may get Wenatchee out of jams this coming season.

With still half a season left with the Nighthawks, Lucas will be continuing to develop. He has already made double-digit appearances this year, with nearly 20 strikeouts to boot.

The crafty lefty is clearly a standout southpaw. The ‘Sox will no doubt benefit from the one-armed Idahoan when he inevitably drives north for the summer.

Max Paterson - OF - Redshirt junior

Accompanying Lucas on the drive from Nazarene is Paterson. Although he is older than Lucas by two years, Paterson is just joining the Nighthawks this season.

The redshirt junior from Bothell, Washington, played three years at Everett Community College before making the move to the Nighthawks. While with the Trojans, Paterson stood out in the field, at the dish and on the base paths.

Even though he missed his sophomore year, his two seasons of work gave him a career 0.384 average with 35 RBIs, 59 hits, 11 doubles, and three home runs. His redshirt-sophomore season was by far his most impressive, where Paterson batted 0.459 off of 43 hits, 29 RBIs, and eight doubles.

On top of that, Paterson posted a flawless fielding percentage in his Trojan tenure, recording no errors in 64 career games. Plus, he stole 14 career bags, with 13 of those coming just last year.

He posted these numbers after missing his sophomore year and playing in the same number of games as his freshman season. Essentially, Paterson is a guy who has both handled adversity and developed year-to-year.

Those are two qualities that make him an attractive pick-up for the ‘Sox this summer. With Wenatchee being his first stop in summer league baseball, it will be interesting to see how he fits in on the roster.

But, as a guy who mashed the baseball, locked down the outfield, and traversed the base paths, Paterson may be one of the funnest names to watch this summer in Wenatchee.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

SAINT MARY'S LENDING THREE FIRST TIME APPLESOX TO WENATCHEE

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Saint Mary’s lending three first time AppleSox to Wenatchee

From Saint Mary’s College in California, the AppleSox are picking up a versatile trio of Gaels to bolster both the bullpen and the middle infield. Joseph Moreno, Vincent De Marco, and Micah Nicholson will all be spending their first-ever seasons of summer league baseball in Wenatchee with the Sox.

With one graduating high school this year, one getting his first-ever college reps this spring, and one with a year of D1 ball already under his belt, the Sox are getting a wide array of college experience from the Gaels in 2026.

So, let’s break down who these first-time AppleSox are…  

Joseph Moreno - Freshman - LHP

After four years at South Hills High School in California, Moreno decided to make the six-hour drive north to Saint Mary’s College. The current freshman made his collegiate debut with the Gaels back on Feb. 13 when he spun two innings of scoreless baseball against Creighton University.

As a four-year varsity starter, Moreno proved why he is a D1 talent straight out of high school. A 0.95 ERA in his senior year, along with 68 strikeouts, helped him allow only seven earned runs in 12 appearances.

His career stats would be all the more impressive if it weren’t for a disappointing junior season where Moreno posted a comical 84.00 ERA in just one appearance. Despite that, a career 1.75 ERA in four years of varsity baseball is still impressive.

The southpaw helped lead the South Hill Huskies to a 21-8 record his senior year, accounting for four of those wins on the mound. Safe to say, the freshman lefty can deal from the rubber.

With no summer league experience under his belt, Moreno will be getting his first taste of the WCL in the Wenatchee Valley. As one of eight lefty pitchers, Moreno helps balance out this Sox bullpen, which features 30 faces from the right side.

Vincent De Marco - High school senior - RHP

Before he joins the Gaels next year, De Marco will be cutting his teeth up north with Wenatchee. The high school senior is currently at Woodbridge High School in California and has committed to Saint Mary’s for the 2027 season.

Glancing at hisjunior year numbers, you see why the Gaels scooped him up early. He posted a 0.21 ERA over 13 appearances and 111 strikeouts. No, that’s not a typo. De Marco punched out 111 batters in his junior year, averaging just shy of nine strikeouts a game.

Plus, opponents only batted 0.113 against him that year, tallying just 25 hits and two earned runs. Essentially, De Marco is next to untouchable at the 4A level in California.

How that transfers to the WCL is unknown. But the fact that he gave up no doubles, no triples, and no home runs last year speaks volumes to what kind of pitcher he is.

He limits quality contact while also wielding swing-and-miss stuff. That kind of arm is something that does not come around very often, making De Marco a top-tier arm to add to the Sox bullpen.

Micah Nicholson - Sophomore - INF/DH

While he may have been a pinch-hitter for much of his freshman year, Nicholson still made the most of the 30 at-bats that he got. A 0.333 average and 0.433 slugging is just a taste of how clutch he was as a bench bat for the Gaels.

Nicholson got his number called for the first time last year in a series against Vanderbilt, where he went 0-for-1. It was not until a series against San Diego State that the freshman got his first collegiate hit in a pinch-hitting situation.

After that, Nicholson ran with every shot he got. In 10 starts, he smashed seven hits, seven RBI’s, and one double. As a pinch-hitter, he managed three hits, one RBI, and two doubles.

While much of his playing time has been in the DH spot, Nicholson still has a stellar glove to complement the bat tool. In 11 games at second base, Nicholson only botched one play last year, giving him a 0.969 fielding percentage.

With a year on his resume, only one error, two multi-hit games, two multi-RBI games, 10 hits, and a 0.872 OPS, Nicholson is a young middle-infielder with versatile capabilities. While he still has room to grow, his ability to hit in the clutch and play the field makes him a useful tool for the Sox to lean on this summer.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

From Strangers to Family: AppleSox Seek Host Families

The Wenatchee AppleSox are less than two months away from starting their 26th season, and the club is looking for a few more host families to house players for the summer from late May through mid-August.

AppleSox players are enrolled in colleges across the country and will begin coming to the Wenatchee Valley in late May. Because the players are far from home, they stay with host parents for the two-and-a-half-month season.

"Host families are such an important part of the AppleSox experience," said AppleSox General Manager Allie Schank. "Between games, road trips, clinics, and community events, the players stay active, but the relationships they build with host families are something they remember long after the summer ends."

Hosting an AppleSox player is a unique opportunity to become part of the team. Though families and players meet as strangers, they become bonded through friendship as the season progresses.

"They're good kids," said longtime host parent Sharon Hogan, who hosts with her husband, Craig. "I remember when I was making my pitch to Craig, I told him 'baseball is life, let's help these kids out,' and it's been wonderful."

The Hogans mentioned they met families who traveled from Hawaii to see their kid play. Sharon said they made three different trips. First, the parents came, then the grandparents, then the whole family came.

"By the end of the summer, it was a big party," Sharon said. "We went over last spring to Hawaii and watched him play... and all the people who said 'you were his host family? Oh my goodness!' It was a wonderful experience."

Meanwhile, Tim and Fran Butterfield are entering their eighth year as a host family.

"There have been guys that come here that are amazing," Tim said. "It's very refreshing to see these young men come in, and they're focused, they're not getting in trouble, they're making something out of their life."

Like the Hogans, the Butterfields say they value the connections they make beyond extending a bed to players.

"We've been to school graduations, weddings, college graduations," Tim said. "We've traveled to multiple locations to go see these kids after the season ends."

Host parents receive many benefits for hosting an AppleSox player. They'll receive free season tickets, and kids or grandkids can register for the AppleSox kids camps for free. Host families also receive discounted membership options at the Wenatchee Racquet Athletic Club, usage of complimentary Mission Ridge passes, plus access to special events.

If you live in the Wenatchee Valley, have a spare room, and would be interested in hosting a player, call the team office at 509-665-6900 or email info@applesox.com.

WENATCHEE WELCOMES THREE MUSTANGS TO THE VALLEY

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

​Wenatchee welcomes three Mustangs to the Valley

For the 2026 summer season, the AppleSox are adding three members of the Cal Poly Mustangs to the roster. Gavin Spiridonoff, Kelley Crawford, and Sean McGrath will all be suiting up in Wenatchee for the ‘Sox this summer.

While one has yet to graduate high school, the other two have already gotten to work in their freshman year at Cal Poly. This makes all three young talents who could potentially shine under the Wenatchee sun.

So, let’s take a peek at who these Mustangs are…

Gavin Spirdonoff - Freshman - 2B

Out of Santa Margarita High School in California, the Sox are picking up a middle infielder who excels on both sides of the ball. Through 16 games played thus far at Cal Poly, the freshman second baseman is batting 0.267 and posting an OPS of 0.762. This is off 12 hits, four doubles, and one home run.

In the few games that Spirdonoff has played in, he has used his bat to make himself heard. On top of that, he has been stellar in the field, posting a 0.963 fielding percentage with one error.

Of course, you flashback to his high school days, and this does not surprise you. A 0.315 average and 0.922 OPS, paired with a Trinity League Gold Glove award, show just how impactful he is at the second base slot.

Plus, Spirdonoff is already familiar with summer ball. Last year, he spent the offseason with the Kelowna Falcons, a WCL opponent of the AppleSox.

​In five games with the Falcons, Spirdonoff only batted 0.176 off of three hits, two of which were doubles.

With quite a bit of college experience under his belt, Spridonoff makes the Sox’s middle infield significantly deeper moving into 2026.

Kelley Crawford - High school senior - RHP

Fresh off the graduation stage, Crawford will be hitting the road to come north to Wenatchee. The current high school senior has committed to Cal Poly for the 2027 season and will be dipping his toes into the WCL before he gets his start.

His career with Junipero Serra High School in California shows just how effective the righty is on the mound. A career 2.16 ERA, 29 hits, and 50 strikeouts is just a taste of his impact from the rubber.

Currently, his fastball clocks in at 84 miles per hour, with his slider dropping down to 73. His fastball is not going to overpower many D1 bats, but that velocity dip may prove deadly against college hitters, especially in the WCL.

With Crawford being an incoming freshman, he will be using his summer stint in Wenatchee to get his bearings. The 2026 season could be a great chance for him to learn and develop with older college talent on the Sox.

Sean McGrath - Freshman - RHP

Like Spridonoff, McGrath has already gotten to work with the Mustangs in California. Through four appearances, the freshman right-hander has only thrown 7 ⅔ innings.

During that time, he has conceded 18 hits, 12 earned runs, and four walks. This has settled his ERA at 14.09 and given him an opponent batting average of 0.450.

His numbers thus far at Cal Poly would shock you if you peek back at his high school days. A career 0.99 ERA, coupled with 197 punchouts, shows just how lethal McGrath was at San Marin High School. His senior year was by far the most eye-catching, with a 0.30 ERA and 83 strikeouts.

For McGrath, the decision to commit to Cal Poly was an easy one.

“It is a great area with a great baseball program,” he said in a statement to Cal Poly Athletics.

As a standout high school arm, his time with the Mustangs will help sharpen his edge and get him in summer shape for the AppleSox. This will be McGrath’s first year playing summer baseball, and he has landed on a Sox squad that can benefit from his potential from the right side.   

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

THREE ISLANDERS WASHING UP IN WENATCHEE IN 2026

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Three Islanders washing up in Wenatchee in 2026

All the way from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the Wenatchee AppleSox are bringing three Islanders onto the roster for the 2026 season. Damien Pantoya, Nicho Crowley, and Isaiah Afework will all be donning a Sox jersey this coming summer.​

With these three offseason pickups, the Sox have added some serious firepower both at the plate and in the pen. Whether it is a Texas native who fanned 18 batters last summer in the West Coast League, or two Washington sluggers who are returning to the Pacific Northwest, the Islanders are lending three top-end talents to the Sox this summer.

So, let’s see what these new additions are bringing to the table in 2026…

Damian Pantoya - Redshirt Freshman - RHP

Despite entering his third year in Corpus Christi, Pantoya has yet to touch the diamond once for the Islanders. In 2024, he did not play a single game. Then, in 2025, an injury kept him on the bench for the entire season​.

However, Pantoya does have summer league experience to make up for his absence from the field. In 2024, he spent a summer with the Ridgefield Raptors in the WCL. Ridgefield plays in the WCL South division, the opposite of the Sox, who play in the North division.

During his 10 games with the Raptors, Pantoya struck out 18 batters, allowed 17 hits, 17 walks, 10 earned runs, and posted an ERA of 5.00. During that 2024 season, Ridgefield finished second in the WCL South with a 21-7 record. But, they got chased out of the playoffs after losing both their postseason matchups.  

Given that Pantoya only started three of his 10 games with the Raptors and averaged just shy of two innings per appearance, he could serve as a decent bridge arm for the Sox in 2026. With an opportunity to touch the turf for the first time this spring, Sox fans should keep their eyes peeled to see what progress Pantoya makes.

Nicho Crowley - Junior - RHP & C

As a Bremerton native, Crowley stayed close to home straight out of high school. His first two years were at Olympic College right next door, where he shone as a two-way player.

At the plate, Crowley’s freshman year had the ball popping off his bat. In 42 games, he clapped 38 hits, 19 RBI’s, batted 0.349, and posted a 0.869 OPS. He did this as a catcher while recording only two total errors in his two years.  

Then, you look at his time on the rubber. While it is not as impressive as his time behind the dish, it still shows his versatility. In 10 appearances and five starts, Crowley struck out 28, walked 14, gave up 17 runs, and had an ERA of 4.83.

In his sophomore year, his role on the roster shifted. While he only got 15 at-bats in his second year, he made up for it by making 12 appearances on the mound as a starting pitcher.

As one of the Rangers’ starting arms, Crowley struck out 103 batters, gave up 44 hits, 33 walks, 18 earned runs, and posted a 2.16 ERA. On an average of six innings per start, Crowley averaged eight strikeouts per game while only giving up around four hits per game.

Entering his first season in Corpus Christi, Crowley has already proven himself to be a dominant starting arm. On top of that, he showed in his freshman year that he has power at the plate to complement his pitching.

No matter where the Sox play him this summer, Crowley has the potential to dominate on both sides of the battery.

Isaiah Afework - Junior - Outfield

Much like Crowley, Afework is a Washington native heading down south for 2026. After two years at Tacoma Community College, the Federal Way native will be spending his time in Corpus Christi before heading to Wenatchee this summer.

Although Afework is joining the Sox for 2026, this is not his first rodeo in the WCL. Last year, he spent his summer with the Victoria HarbourCats, one of the AppleSox’s north division opponents.

While in Victoria, Afework got most of his starts in center field. In his 40 games played, he collected 32 hits, 20 RBI’s, six doubles, and three home runs. This gave him a 0.248 average and a 0.733 OPS.

In 2025, he was on a HarbourCats squad that was tied for first place in the WCL North, going 20-8 in the regular season. While they may have dominated in the regular season, the Cats fell flat on their face in the postseason.

After going 1-2 in the playoffs, they matched the AppleSox’s postseason showing and were beaten out by the Edmonton Riverhawks and Bellingham Bells.

If his production with the Cats is any indicator, then the Sox may have snagged themselves a solid outfield bat. He already has himself a starting spot with the Islanders, and with an entire spring season to progress, his bat may be fully baked by the time he winds up in Wenatchee.  

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

A TRIO OF COYOTES SPENDING THE SUMMER IN WENATCHEE

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A trio of Coyotes spending the summer in Wenatchee

They may be 1,500 miles away, but that is not stopping three members of Weatherford College in Fort Worth, Texas, from spending their summer season in Wenatchee. Brittain Urbaniak, Jonathan Christner, and Clint Beck will be joining the AppleSox for 2026 after they finish this coming season with the Coyotes.

With two sophomore right-handed pitchers and a redshirt-freshman first baseman, the Sox are adding depth to both the pen and the corner infield.

So, let’s take a closer look at each of these Texas natives…

Brittain Urbaniak - Redshirt Freshman - 1B

The 6-foot-3 first baseman does not have to travel far for his classes at Weatherford, since he is a hometown kid from Fort Worth.

After being the No. 27 ranked third baseman in Texas, Urbaniak found himself moved across the diamond in his first year as a Coyote. He played only five games with Weatherford last year, all either as a pinch hitter or at first base.

In those five games and 12 at-bats of work, Urbaniak popped four hits, one home run, one triple, two RBIs and batted an impressive 0.333. In a small sample, he posted a 1.107 OPS, showcasing his power and production in a short time.

After those initial five appearances, Urbaniak rode the pine for the remaining 42 games on the schedule. This gave him his redshirt standing for this coming season with the Coyotes.

Given that the body of work is rather small from Urbaniak, it is safe to say there is a question mark on how productive he will be in Wenatchee. But, with a full season on the horizon, Sox fans could expect him to blossom into a slugging corner infielder who can bring the boom in the summer.

Jonathan Christner - Sophomore - RHP

Like Urbaniak, Christner did not see much action in his freshman year. The Haslet, Texas native made three appearances in the first nine games of the year. Then, he proceeded to sit out for the remaining 44 matchups.

But, in those three relief appearances, Christner racked up 5 ⅓ innings pitched, giving up nine hits, four earned runs, two walks, and striking out five batters. This brought his ERA to a slightly inflated 6.75.

Out of high school, Christner was the No. 82 ranked right-handed pitcher in Texas. He was also the No. 500 overall prospect in the nation. Then, you consider his limited reps at the JUCO level thus far, and you see that his name has not exactly jumped off the page early on in his career.​

However, entering his sophomore campaign in Weatherford and with the Sox on the horizon, Christner has the potential to develop into a competent relief arm that can add depth to any bullpen.

Clint Beck - Sophomore - RHP

To complement Christner on the mound, the Sox picked up Beck to add another weapon to the right side. Much like the other two Coyotes, Beck only played four games last season in Weatherford, all within the first nine games.

In that short window, the Belton, Texas native struck out four batters, walked four, allowed five hits, and gave up two earned runs, which set his ERA at an effective 2.70. The longest outing of his freshman year came against Salt Lake Community College on Feb. 8 where he went three innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs.

In that showing, Beck gave up the most hits and all of his earned runs of the year. What does that mean for him as a pitcher? It is hard to tell.

Four games do not reveal much about a player, let alone a pitcher. But the dip in effectiveness when asked to pitch three innings shows Beck's lack of experience.

Lucky for the Coyotes and the Sox, he has a full spring and summer ahead of him to grow, mature, and develop. What his role on the Sox will be is unknown, but he helps make this Sox staff even deeper.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

APPLESOX SNAG THREE YOUNG PITCHERS FROM EVERETT

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu 

AppleSox snag three young pitchers from Everett

For the 2026 season, Wenatchee is adding three young arms to their bullpen, all three from Everett Community College. Dylan Dyer, Basil Hendrix and Hiroshi Johnson will be spending their upcoming summer with the Sox. 

With two being sophomores and one being a freshman, none of the incoming AppleSox have played summer league baseball in their careers. But, before they get their Wenatchee welcome, they still have a full season of JUCO baseball to play in Everett. 

So, let’s take a look at who these new bullpen arms are…

Dylan Dyer - Sophomore - RHP

Although he has one year under his belt, Dyer’s freshman campaign does not paint the clearest picture. In just seven appearances and 8 ⅓ innings pitched Dyer was barely utilized last season by the Trojans. 

In that small sample size, the Seattle native gave up seven hits, seven walks and five earned runs. That spiked his ERA to 5.40 and had his WHIP settle at 1.68.

However, there is only so much to take away from just eight innings of work. Plus, no stats are available for Dyer’s senior season with Nathan Hale high school in Seattle. This all places a huge question mark on the right-hander’s capabilities on the mound.

What can be taken away from his senior year is that Dyer and Nathan Hale high school clinched a postseason spot in the 2A State Playoffs. However, they were quickly chased out of the tournament after losing 6-2 to Archbishop Murphy in round one. 

Now in his sophomore year, Dyer could make a few more cameos in Everett as he gets ready for his summer stint in Wenatchee. Sox fans should keep a close eye on the 6-foot-2 sophomore to see just how productive he is with the Trojans in 2026.

Basil Hendrix - Sophomore - LHP 

While Dyer made all seven of his appearances in relief, Hendrix started all 13 of his games on the mound. With 68 innings of work on his resume, Hendrix averaged about five innings per start. 

Although he averaged only five, he managed to pitch over six innings in six separate games. One of those was a complete game against Edmonds Community College where he spun nine innings of one-run baseball off only five hits. 

He also struck out 76 batters in those 13 starts while only walking 23 and allowing 53 hits. This efficiency made him a deadly starting arm for the Trojans in Everett. 

The Woodinville native will start his sophomore year with the Trojans, but has set a high bar for himself after his freshman showing. When he joins the Sox in the summer, he could be a solid starting arm that can carry Wenatchee deep into games. Or, Hendrix could be a lethal relief man to bridge the gap to the AppleSox’s closers. 

Regardless of his upcoming role, Hendrix has a full spring to develop in Everett before he heads east to take the mound in the summer. 

Hiroshi Johnson - Freshman - RHP

Fresh out of Redmond high school, both the Trojans and AppleSox are adding a bullpen arm with serious potential. The incoming freshman anchored the Mustang bullpen in Redmond last year, making eight appearances (all in relief). 

Through 33 ⅔ innings pitched, Johnson struck out 30, walked 11, gave up 31 hits but only allowed eight runs. This rang up his ERA to an impressive 1.66 after his senior season.

What’s more impressive is that he gave up no doubles, triples or home runs while having a 0.216 batting average against him. His ability to limit quality contact and hold offenses to low danger opportunities shows why Johnson started all four years on varsity for the Mustangs. 
His velocity does not necessarily jump off the page, clocking in at 81-84 miles per hour. However, the 30 strikeouts and lack of power contact show that his secondary pitches are crafty enough to get the job done. 

With his college career just beginning, it will be interesting to see if the velocity climbs and how exactly Johnson develops in Everett. Nonetheless, he could prove to be a beneficial bridge arm for both Everett and Wenatchee.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

THREE BULLDOGS HEADING TO WENATCHEE IN 2026

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu 

Three Bulldogs heading to Wenatchee in 2026 

In 2026, the Wenatchee AppleSox are opening their doors to three Gonzaga Bulldogs. All three will be making their first appearance in an AppleSox jersey after this coming season in Spokane. Landon White, Ryder Young and Kainoa Santiago are all making the two and a half hour drive west to Wenatchee for the 2026 summer season. 

In addition to being first-time AppleSox, all three are joining the Zags for the first time this year. Whether it is a freshman coming off a state championship run, a sophomore who batted nearly 0.500 in JUCO, or a junior with a career 1.214 OPS, both the Zags and Sox are adding quality talent to the diamond. 

With the pleasantries out of the way, let’s dive into these three Bulldogs… 

Landon White - Sophomore - 3B

In just his first year of JUCO, White proved why he deserved the call-up to Spokane. With Mt. San Antonio College in California, the now sophomore third baseman absolutely mashed the baseball. 

116 hits, 33 doubles, seven home runs, 75 RBI’s, a 0.481 average, and a 1.242 OPS in 51 games made White stand out on the Mounties roster. 

Those numbers at the dish made him the 3C2A JUCO player of the Year for California. That honor is mainly due to his ranking first in the conference for doubles, second for hits, seventh for RBI’s, and ninth for batting average. 

How he performs with the Zags is still up in the air. Gonzaga is retaining infielders Mikey Bell and Hudson Shupe, who both were lethal at the plate last year. However, they lost three members of the infield, opening the door for White to shine at the corner infield slot. 

Safe to say, White is excited to get to work in Spokane. 

“I chose Gonzaga due to their academic prestige and how consistently well their baseball program develops players for the next level,” White said in a statement to Gonzaga Athletics.

Ryder Young - Junior - UTL  

As impressive as White was in one year of JUCO, Young made his mark over two years at Chaffey College.

A career 0.411 average, 1.214 OPS, 146 hits, 103 RBI’s, 107 runs, 36 doubles, and 23 home runs constituted his tenure with the Chaffey Panthers. With those stats, Young broke program records for home runs, doubles, RBIs, and runs. 

What stood out about his two-year stint at Chaffey was his year-over-year growth. 30 more hits, 29 more RBI’s, nine more homers, and two more doubles. He managed to one-up each of these categories in just four more games played in his second year. 

Being a utility player, Young similarly has a good path to playing time in Spokane. With the Zags losing numerous position players to graduation and the transfer portal, Young can win himself a spot. His ability to play both ends of the field means he could be a useful swiss-army knife, both for the Bulldogs and the Sox. 

And while he is a first-time AppleSox, he is not new to summer league baseball. Last summer, Young played six games with the Orange County Riptide in the California Collegiate League. In only 12 at-bats, Young recorded two hits, giving him a batting average of 0.167. 

While his playing time was stunted in Orange County, he should be getting plenty of work on the diamond in Wenatchee in 2026. 

Kainoa Santiago - Freshman - OF

Despite being ranked No. 16 in Oregon, Santiago has no stats available for his senior year at Jesuit High School in Portland. Plus, his junior year stats do not paint the full picture. 

In just five games played, Santiago batted 0.462, smacked six hits, five RBI’s, two doubles, a triple, and a home run. While the sample size is incredibly small, the power and production in that short amount of time speaks volumes. 

What is known about his senior year is that Santiago and the Jesuit Crusaders battled their way to the semifinals of the Oregon 6A State Championship. The Crusaders blew out Lincoln High School in the opening round 9-0, and then barely edged out Sandy High School 3-2 in the quarterfinals. 

However, they came up short against Grant High School, losing 8-2 in the semifinals.  

As a left-handed outfielder, Santiago joins a Gonzaga lineup that has lost depth in the outfield. With Sam Stem and Max Coupe departing, Santiago could potentially become a mainstay of the corner outfield. However, as a freshman, he has an uphill battle to win a spot. 

But, regardless of his playing time, Santiago is excited to get to work with the Bulldogs. 

"I chose Gonzaga because of the amazing academics, as well as the great coaching that helps with baseball development as well as human development," Santiago said in astatement to Gonzaga Athletics.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

TWO JUCO CONNECTIONS ADDED TO 2026 ROSTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jackson Dodd - applesoxmedia@gmail.com

TWO JUCO CONNECTIONS ADDED TO 2026 ROSTER

The AppleSox organization announced on Thursday the addition of two players with junior college connections to the 2026 AppleSox roster. Trevor Young and Brooks Pinski, who both appeared on last season’s roster, will join the ‘Sox this summer. 

Young was a consistent presence on the mound last summer, coming into relief 12 times throughout the season. The righty was lights-out as well, picking up eight scoreless outings and two wins. His best performance came against Victoria, earning a win, after throwing two scoreless innings, giving up only one hit, and striking out two. 

The Bothell native is a redshirt sophomore at Everett Community College. He has yet to make an appearance on the rubber this season, but is sure to see action soon. Last spring, Young appeared 11 times and recorded a 1-1 record. He punched out 25 batters while only giving up 13 walks in 20 innings of work. 

Pinski returns to Wenatchee after a short three-game spell last season. He joined the ’Sox toward the end of the summer, just as they were gearing up for their final set of games and in need of additional pitching depth. Pinski only appeared for a few innings, but he did record two scoreless outings in relief. 

The Manson native is entering his sophomore season at Spokane Falls Community College and has only seen the mound once this spring, throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout. In 2024, as a senior at Manson High School, Brooks was ranked the No. 20 right-handed pitcher and the No. 47 overall player in Washington, while also being named Pitcher of the Year.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

APPLESOX ADD THREE MORE RETURNING ARMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jackson Dodd - applesoxmedia@gmail.com

APPLESOX ADD THREE MORE RETURNING ARMS 

The AppleSox organization announced Monday the addition of three players to the 2026 roster. Returning arms Mitch Haythorn, Dylan Schlenger, and Easton Brooks will join this summer’s team. This week’s roster additions come from UNC (N. Colorado), Eastern Illinois, and Utah Tech. 

Haythorn was a star on the mound last summer, leading the league in strikeouts (54) and recording a division best 3.32 ERA over 49.2 innings of work. After starting opening day for the ‘Sox and staying through the playoffs, Haythorn picked up a team best 4 wins over 11 games, all of which were starts. Even more impressive, Haythorn had five separate outings where he gave up only one run. His success last summer was rewarded, being selected as an All-Star and the Top Prospect for the North Division at the 2025 WCL All-Star Game. 

The Eaton native is in his first year at UNC (N. Colorado) after a year redshirting at Oklahoma. Haythorn has seen little action this spring, tossing only 0.2 innings, but is sure to see more time on the rubber as the season progresses. As a senior in high school, he pitched 45 innings while posting a 1.99 ERA with 88 strikeouts. After recording an 11-0 season, Haythorn was named First Team All-State for the second year in a row. Before graduating, he was the No. 4 right-handed pitcher and No. 6 overall player in Colorado as well as a top-500 overall player nationally ranked by Perfect Game. 

Schlenger joined the AppleSox late in 2025, but made the most of his five appearances. After the AppleSox were in need of extra arms at the midway point of the season, Schlenger was called in to fill the gap. He recorded a 3.21 ERA with eight strikeouts over 14 innings pitched. In each of his five outings, Schlenger held the opposing bats to two runs or less. 

The Woodway native is in his junior season at Columbia Basin after recording a 5-4 record last spring. Schlenger looks to build off a strong sophomore season where he posted a 3.24 ERA with 58 strikeouts and only 24 walks over 83.1 innings. He was primarily a starter for the Hawks, but did come into relief twice, picking up a save along the way. 

Brooks returns for his second season in Wenatchee after an impressive last summer. Like Haythorn, Brooks stayed with the ‘Sox all season; however, his role shifted from reliever to starter as the summer progressed. Nevertheless, the shift didn’t phase him, as he recorded a 2-1 record after the change. Brooks posted a 2.52 ERA with 39 strikeouts and only 14 walks over 35.2 innings of work. The righty picked up six scoreless outings over the season with his best outing coming against Edmonton. He tossed seven scoreless innings against the Riverhawks while only giving up three hits and earning nine strikeouts. 

The Herriman native is now a sophomore at Utah Tech after 14 appearances on the mound as a freshman in 2025. Over those outings, he recorded a 4.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 12 innings. This spring, Brooks has already picked up his first win over two outings. Though he never hit for the ‘Sox, he has had an appearance at the plate where he recorded an RBI.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.