Oyama Named WCL co-MVP

The West Coast League announced on Wednesday that AppleSox infielder Joichiro Oyama won a share of the league’s 2022 Most Valuable Player award with Ridgefield’s Jacob Sharp.

Oyama posted one of the greatest seasons in the 22-year history of the Wenatchee AppleSox. The incoming junior at UC Irvine became only the seventh player in team history to play in every regular season game in league play and shattered AppleSox records along the way. Oyama is the new AppleSox’ single-season record-holder for plate appearances (276), runs (54), stolen bases (42) and walks (42) while also tying for the single-season record for triples (6). He also broke the WCL single-season record for runs and stolen bases with his historic 2022 campaign.

"Oyama's game can best be described as electric,” AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington said. “He brings a ton of energy to the top of the lineup and his ability to single-handedly manufacture runs is impressive to watch. Jo's discipline and love for the game is going to take him a long ways in this game. Our entire organization is excited to see Jo's career blossom at UC Irvine."

Oyama was an on-base machine for the AppleSox this summer. He reached base at least once in 53-of-54 regular-season games with either a walk or a hit. The Okinawa, Japan, native recorded three different hitting streaks of at least nine games, including a 12-game hitting streak from June 29-July 15. Oyama also recorded 22 multi-hit games before going on to hit .467 (7-for-15) with six runs and multi-hit efforts in all three postseason games.

This is the second time this season that the WCL has honored Oyama. He also won the league’s Moss Adams Player of the Week Honor for June 6-12 after batting 13-for-25 and scoring 11 runs in six games, five of which were AppleSox victories.

In addition to his brilliant on-field play Oyama was also honored with the AppleSox’ Tommy Watanabe Award for his love of the game and respect for all involved in it. Oyama was a clubhouse and fan favorite for his big season but also his infectious personality that touched all whom he came into contact with whenever he was at the field.

Oyama is the fourth AppleSox player to be honored as the league’s MVP. This is the first year that two players have shared the WCL MVP honor. Oyama joins Steve Marquardt (2005), Mitchell Gunsolus (2012) and Michael Toglia (2015) as AppleSox players to win WCL MVP.