Canning Wins First Gold Glove in Sox History

The record-breaking year for AppleSox alums continues. Former AppleSox pitcher Griffin Canning (2014) became the first alum to win a Gold Glove Award by claiming the top defensive honor for a player.

Four former AppleSox players broke a franchise record by making their major-league debuts this past summer. Though Canning wasn’t part of that record, he made history of his own on Tuesday night.

Canning claimed the American League Gold Glove honor at pitcher after his second MLB season. The right-hander led all American League pitchers with 3 Defensive Runs Saved and also recorded a .938 fielding percentage.

Canning wasn’t just superb defensively; he was also stellar on the mound. He went 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. Canning posted lower marks in both ERA and FIP in his sophomore year compared to his rookie campaign.

Canning went 1-1 with a 1.61 ERA in five appearances (four starts) in 2014 for the AppleSox. The Los Angeles Angels drafted Canning 47th overall in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He made his major-league debut on April 30, 2019.

2014 Alum Rasmussen Makes MLB Debut

The 2020 MLB season has been historic in many ways, including for organizations not affiliated with professional baseball.

Milwaukee Brewers’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen made his major-league debut on August 19 to become the 17th AppleSox alum to make his major-league debut. Rasmussen is also the fourth former Sox player to make his debut this season, a new single-season AppleSox record.

Rasmussen tossed two scoreless innings and struck out three on Wednesday night in the Brewers’ 9-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. After undergoing a pair of Tommy John surgeries and being drafted thee different times, Rasmussen wasn’t fazed by the pressures and potential uncertainty that come with a major-league debut.

“Personally, I think rehab is the hardest thing you can go through in this game,” Rasmussen said to MLB.com. “I've gotten the pleasure to not only experience that once, but twice, for extended amounts of time. Every day is a blessing to be able to play this game, so I think I've already gone through the worst of it.”

Rasmussen with the AppleSox in 2014.

The former Oregon State Beaver pitched for the AppleSox in 2014, going 3-2 with a 5.16 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). Rasmussen punched out 42 in 45.1 innings and surrendered three runs or fewer in eight of the 10 games he pitched in.

Rasmussen made the most of his three years pitching in Corvallis, including making history in 2015. As a freshman at Oregon State, Rasmussen hurled the first perfect game in school history against Washington State on March 21. All-in-all Rasmussen recorded a 2.65 ERA in his three seasons for the Beavers and first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2015.

The Puyallup native was drafted prior to starting college when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Rasmussen in the 39th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. After not signing, Rasmussen would be drafted once he became eligible again in 2017. This time the Tampa Bay Rays selected him 31st overall during his junior year. Rasmussen again did not sign and underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career later that year to miss the entire 2018 season. Regardless, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted the right-hander in the sixth round that spring.

Although he did not pitch at all in 2018, that did not delay Rasmussen’s ascension to the major-leagues. He went a combined 1-3 with a 3.15 ERA across three levels (A-ADV, A-FULL, AA) in 2019. Rasmussen sizzled with success, punching out 96 hitters in 74.1 innings.

With Rasmussen’s debut, nine different former AppleSox players have now appeared in at least one major-league game this season. Seventeen players to don the AppleSox’ red, white and blue have now appeared in at least one major-league game

Kaprielian Becomes 16th Sox Alum to Make MLB Debut

After a long, bumpy journey, the second-highest MLB draft pick to previously play for the Wenatchee AppleSox has made his major-league debut. James Kaprielian tossed two innings for the Oakland Athletics in their 15-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Kaprielian’s major-league debut began inauspiciously as he allowed a solo home run just three pitches into his debut and then walked the next hitter. However, he bounced back to retire each of the subsequent six hitters.

Despite being called up the majors on Aug. 4, Kaprielian was sent back down shortly after before again being recalled by Oakland this past weekend. The added week-and-a-half wait was trivial to Kaprielian compared to previous challenges and setbacks that he has overcome.

“I’m pretty glad it’s just behind me now. It’s been a long time coming,” Kaprielian said to MLB.com. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs along the road to get here. I’m happy to be a part of this team. This is something I really wanted to be a part of, help these guys any way I can.”

Kaprielian starred for the AppleSox in their most recent championship season. The right-hander posted a 1.80 ERA across nine appearances (two starts) in 2012. Kaprielian struck out 20 batters in 15 innings and also picked up two saves. He started two games for the AppleSox in the 2012 postseason, but could not pick a win in either. Kaprielian first tossed five scoreless against the Bellingham Bells in Game 1 of the East Division Series, a 1-0 AppleSox loss. He toed the rubber again for Game 2 of the WCL Championship Series, but allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings in the 6-2 loss.

List of former AppleSox players who played at UCLA and appeared in a major-league game.

Kaprielian was drafted 16th overall by the New York Yankees in 2015 after three stellar years at UCLA. He went 17-10 with a 2.06 ERA over 66 appearances (31 starts). Kaprielian led the Pac-12 in strikeouts in 2014 and 2015 and was named to the All Pac-12 first team those same two years. At the time he was drafted, Kaprielian was fifth all-time at UCLA in career ERA and sixth all-time in career strikeouts (275). He is the fifth player to play for the AppleSox and UCLA and then go on to appear in an MLB game.

Once pen met paper and he became a professional, Kaprielian did not find immediate success in the minors. Kaprielian was strong when on the mound, but he did miss the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons. The injuries began in 2016 with elbow troubles that limited him to just three appearances for the Tampa Yankees (A-Advanced). The righty underwent Tommy John Surgery in April 2017 before also missing the 2018 season due to the recovery and shoulder issues. Kaprielian swapped pinstripes for a green collar in 2017 when the Yankees packed him in a deal to the Athletics in exchange for Sonny Gray. Kaprielian went a combined 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 19 games across three different levels last season. He made his major-league debut after appearing in just 27 games in the minors.

Sixteen former AppleSox players have now appeared in an MLB game. Kaprielian becomes the 11th pitcher of that group and the seventh right-hander. He is also the third different Sox alum to debut this season, which matches a team record originally set in 2014.

Two More AppleSox Alums Make MLB Debuts Sunday Afternoon

A pair of AppleSox alums made their MLB debuts for the Houston Astros on Sunday. Infielder Taylor Jones went 0-for-2 and pitcher Brandon Bailey tossed a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday to become the 14th and 15th former AppleSox players to appear in an MLB game.

Jones spent two seasons in the West Coast League. The Washington native was a member of the West Coast League Champion AppleSox in 2012 and played for the Walla Walla Sweets in 2013. Though he was drafted as a position player, Jones only pitched for the AppleSox that summer, going 1-0 with a 3.85 ERA in seven games (three starts). The AppleSox won six of the seven games that Jones pitched in that summer.

Prior to being drafted by the Astros in the 19th round of the 2016 draft, Jones spent 2013-16 at Gonzaga. He switched to hitting after two seasons pitching and it paid off. The Kent, Washington, native batted .342 in his final two seasons, earning First Team All-West Coast Conference honors as a junior and then appeared on the Second Team as a senior.

Bailey, a sixth-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2016, earned Second Team All-West Coast League honors in 2014 after going 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA in 10 appearances (all starts) for the AppleSox. The Broomfield, Colorado, native struck out 43 and walked just nine in 39.1 innings for the Sox. Bailey did not allow any runs in seven of his starts, including each of his final five starts of the summer, ending the season on a 19-inning scoreless streak.

Bailey with the AppleSox in 2014

Bailey’s dominance wasn’t limited to summer ball. The right-hander recorded a 3.27 ERA in three years at Gonzaga and earned First Team All-West Coast Conference honors twice. His best season came as a junior when he was 10-3 with a 2.42 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 100.1 innings.

After several transactions, Bailey made the jump to “The Show” this season. The Athletics traded Bailey to the Houston Astros following the 2017 season in exchange for a fellow WCL alum, Ramon Laureano. Bailey pitched well in Single-A and Double-A ball for the Astros for two seasons before being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft this past December. However, they returned Bailey to the Astros three months later. In between the transactions and his MLB debut, Bailey made his MLB debut without appearing in any Triple-A games prior.

Jones is just fifth position player to play for the AppleSox and then in the major leagues. Bailey becomes the 10th pitcher of the 15 AppleSox alums to make their MLB debut. At least one AppleSox alum has made his major-league debut in six of the last seven years.

Full list of AppleSox alums to appear in an MLB game. Years listed are the year(s) with AppleSox, followed by the year making MLB debut.

AppleSox Shelf 2020 Plans

To our fans, sponsors, community members, host families and employees, we thank you for your support as we navigate these unprecedented times together. After much deliberation between our front office & coaching staff and a careful analysis of all facts available, the Wenatchee AppleSox are cancelling the 2020 AppleSox Training Camp.

Our goal is to provide a safe, family-friendly environment to gather community members and continue the tradition of summer college baseball in the Wenatchee Valley. In the past two weeks, Chelan and Douglas Counties have seen an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, which means returning to play will not be a feasible option. We are looking at other entertainment options for the field for when we are safely in a phase to allow community engagement at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for when we’re safely in Phase 2 of Washington.

The AppleSox look forward to celebrating summer with our fans in 2021!

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to email info@applesox.com or call (509) 665-6900.

WCL Season Cancelled, AppleSox Forge Onward

A crowded entrance to Paul thomas sr. stadium prior for a game against the kelowna falcons. july 3, 2019.

Yesterday would have marked the beginning of a new West Coast League season here in Wenatchee. However, due to the foreseeable delay in the ability to hold events in the Pacific Northwest with more than fifty attendees, the WCL has cancelled the 2020 season. 

Our team, the Wenatchee AppleSox, is still working to bring baseball to Wenatchee this summer under the condition that our counties, Chelan and Douglas, reach Phase 3 of Washington’s plan to safely reopen. 

When we return to the diamond, our focus will be on our 2020 AppleSox training camp, which will feature games weekly and will continue from the start of Phase 3 until mid-August. This new program will feature players from our existing 2020 roster, supplemented by local players. We will be releasing more information about the training camp within the next few days. We will continue offering youth AppleSox summer camps, and other community events, throughout the summer.  

While we are unable to bring baseball back to the stadium sooner, we are thrilled to announce that we will open the AppleSox concession stand in Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as an outdoor café once Chelan and Douglas reach Phase 2. Please stay tuned for further announcements.

Official Statement on the Start of the AppleSox' 2020 Season

COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented change and loss this spring. This pandemic has threatened our way of life and caused us to reflect on what matters most in our lives, why our personal friendships are so important to us and how our decisions can affect others.

As we continue to wait for the day that this crisis can be put in the rearview mirror, the Wenatchee AppleSox also realize that we must adapt in an unorthodox way in these unfamiliar times.

In accordance with the West Coast League’s decision, the AppleSox have decided to postpone the beginning of the 2020 season to early-July. The AppleSox and WCL’s main concern is the health and safety of the community. We will continue to monitor national, state and local guidelines to determine the best possible way to begin baseball in Wenatchee again.

This news also means that the 2020 WCL All-Star Game, originally scheduled for July 20 in Wenatchee, has been canceled. With a shortened season and the likelihood of several WCL teams not competing in 2020, it would not have been right to hold it this summer.

We realize that this means our season won’t unfold this summer as we had imagined. Summer college baseball is special because of the unique relationships formed over the course of two-and-a-half months. Strangers no longer are foreign to each other, but instead, become friends.

Regardless, the AppleSox will remain a part of summer in Wenatchee. We are committed to providing a summer-college baseball product in 2020 and beyond.

“We would not exist without our great fans,” AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby said. “We will have baseball in Wenatchee this year. I will exhaust every possible opportunity to provide a creative and entertaining product this summer. It may be different than previous seasons, but we intend to celebrate summer with our town’s favorite sport once again in 2020 when the time is right.”

We will be reaching out shortly to coaches, players, host families, sponsors and season ticket holders to discuss the implications of this change. If you have any questions, please email info@applesox.com or call 509-665-6900.

Full West Coast League Statement

Former Catcher Meyer Reflects on Two Summers with AppleSox

Former AppleSox catcher Cory Meyer had a rollercoaster ride in his two seasons with the AppleSox. From making history in 2018 to battling adversity in 2019, Meyer saw a lot in his two summers with the AppleSox.

Meyer played in 38 games (league and non-league) for the AppleSox in 2018 and 2019. He batted .273 with four home runs and 23 RBI in his two seasons for the AppleSox. On June 27, 2018, Meyer made AppleSox history by becoming the first player in team history to hit two grand slams in a league game. That same night, he set the team single-game RBI record by driving in eight runs. Meyer was also named a West Coast League All-Star in 2018.

Meyer spent this past spring playing his senior season at Boise State. He batted .381 in six games, all of which he started. He began his collegiate career as a freshman at Spokane Falls before transferring to Washington State, where he played two seasons.

Meyer reflected on his two summers in Wenatchee and the memories that he made in the Apple Capital of the World. Watch Meyer's full discussion with Joel Norman below.

NCWLIFE Channel to Replay 2019 AppleSox Game This Saturday

On Saturday, May 2, there will be baseball... At least on television.

The NCWLIFE Channel will rebroadcast the Wenatchee AppleSox’ June 15, 2019 game against the Walla Walla Sweets. Eric Granstrom will provide play-by-play coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

Fans throughout the Wenatchee Valley can watch on Charter via channel 19, LocalTel via channel 12 or online, worldwide, at NCWLIFE.com/live-stream/

Be sure to follow along on the AppleSox Twitter account during the broadcast for highlights and stats. 

2018 AppleSox Alum Stainbrook Reflects On Summer With Sox

Troy Stainbrook lit it up as a closer for the AppleSox in 2018. He notched five saves and recorded a 0.54 ERA in nine appearances. His 0.54 ERA in WCL play is the lowest ever by an AppleSox pitcher to have pitched a least 15 innings.

He rode that success with the AppleSox into his senior year at Biola in which recorded a 2.11 ERA and struck out 53 in 41.1 innings. Stainbrook’s dominance on the mound in college led to being drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Watch his full discussion with Joel Norman below in which he reflects on his time with the AppleSox and discusses what it was liking being drafted and how his professional career has gone so far.

WCL Launches #StayHome4Baseball Campaign

The Wenatchee AppleSox and the rest of the West Coast League, launched the #StayHome4Baseball campaign, encouraging fans to stay home and flatten the coronavirus curve. The #StayHome4Baseball campaign challenges not only fans, but also baseball teams everywhere, at all levels, to help limit and ultimately stop the spread of COVID-19.

“All our teams are busy preparing for the season,” WCL commissioner Rob Neyer said, “but at the same time we’re thinking about our fans. We want them to stay safe, be healthy, and (yes!) join us at the ballpark this summer. But that’s probably not going to happen unless we flatten the curve. Soon! And all the doctors and epidemiologists tell us the same thing: Stay home now. So we’re asking our fans to stay home now, and later we’ll play as much baseball as we can play.”

Last week, the WCL announced that it planned to start the 2020 season on time. However, the league is still trying to do its part in the short term to ensure that the 2020 season can proceed as planned.

“The health and safety of our community members is our top priority right now,” assistant general manager Allie Schank said. “The AppleSox urge not just those in the Wenatchee Valley, but everyone across the country to follow CDC guidelines and stay inside to help flatten the curve. Support local businesses by ordering takeout if you can and make sure to check up on those in our community who may need extra help. We’re all in this together, so let’s stay inside now to bring life back to normal sooner.”

Sanderson Returns to Familiar Place to Coach AppleSox

Change is as much a part of the West Coast League’s very fabric as cowhide is to baseballs. Every season, teams expect a large majority of the previous season’s players to not return. 

The same goes for each team’s coaching staff. Seven different teams have changed head coaches for the 2020 season, so far. The AppleSox opened up the offseason coaching changes when they named Ian Sanderson their fifth head coach in team history on Sept. 19.

Last year, four teams began the season with a different head coach from the previous season (Bend, Kelowna, Ridgefield, Victoria). One of them, Kelowna, brought in a new head coach a year after making the playoffs. Sound familiar?

Don’t forget, teams at the major-league level have brought in new managers after making the playoffs. The New York Yankees came a win away from advancing to the World Series in 2017 with Joe Girardi, then hired Aaron Boone to replace him after the season.

After qualifying for the WCL playoffs for the first time in six seasons last summer, the AppleSox are looking to take the next step in 2020 and they believe Sanderson is the man to bring home another championship. Part of their reasoning for hiring Sanderson was due to his familiarity with the Valley.

“I used to go to Wenatchee AppleSox games when I was younger,” Sanderson said. “I have family in Wenatchee, so we spent summers there. Wenatchee is a special place and a nostalgic flashback for me from my childhood. I remember the stands being just jam-packed with excitement and buzz. I remember the nice weather and the sun setting over the hills in the fourth inning or so.”

Sanderson comes to the AppleSox after spending last season with the Victoria HarbourCats, who defeated the AppleSox in three games before falling to the Corvallis Knights in the West Coast League Championship. The HarbourCats finished tops of second in the WCL in innings, strikeouts, opponent batting average and ERA.

Sanderson currently works full-time as the associate head coach and pitching coach for Lower Columbia College, the 2017-19 NWAC Champions. It’s a program not only full of success, but also one with AppleSox blood. Lower Columbia College’s head coach, Eric Lane, employs Sanderson as his associate head coach and pitching coach. Lane played for the AppleSox in 2010 and then later served as an assistant coach in 2013. He played a part in helping his assistant become a member of the AppleSox family.

“He just talked about how fun it was as a player and just loves Wenatchee,” Sanderson said. “He’s already planning a trip to a game with a few ex-AppleSox that he played with and we’ll have to make it a fun weekend for them.”

Success is in Sanderson’s DNA. He saw firsthand what success the AppleSox achieved previously and is eager to return the team to that dynastic level that it previously held. The blend of that challenge and memories of summers from yesteryear brought Sanderson to the AppleSox.

“I think it’s about getting the right guys in and connecting with the community,” Sanderson said. “I want to build the fanbase to get excited again and build a winning attitude. We aren’t going to be an overly heavy roster where we have a new roster every day. A lot of guys are going to play two out of three days or three out of four days.”

As for his coaching style, Sanderson is focused on dominating with pitching. Naturally, with a pitching coach background, he wants to dictate games based on what his players can do on the mound. Sanderson wants to bring in “as many arms as possible,” because he believes that with the innings and pitch-count limits that schools place on pitchers, having as many options as possible on the mound is the best way to earn back-to-back playoff berths.

However, that doesn’t mean Sanderson isn’t creative about what can be done offensively. He told fans at February’s Hot Stove Party that he wants to “create chaos” every time AppleSox hitters step into the batter box.

“We’re going to let guys play a bit,” Sanderson said. “We’re not going to be sacrifice bunting a lot. We’re going to let guys hit and steal a lot of bases. I really liked that style that we played with the Victoria HarbourCats last summer while learning from Todd Haney: letting them learn to fail at stealing bases and try not to take the bat away with guys too much. Last year, the staff that we had recorded the fewest walks and we were No. 2 in ERA.”

AppleSox management conducted the search in early September and was pleased to find a quality candidate so early on in interviews.

“Ian was one of the first people who reached out to us,” general manager Ken Osborne said. “We obviously were familiar with his work with the HarbourCats, but were thrilled with his ability to communicate as well as his baseball philosophy. The fact that he has connections to the area makes it even better.”

The AppleSox and Sanderson both know that ultimately, winning is the goal in 2020. However, the biggest challenge confronting the AppleSox from reaching the peak of this climb is keeping as many players as possible for the bulk of the season or replacing them adequately. From July 29 to Aug. 8, 2019 (an 11-day span), a combined 15 AppleSox players who recorded at least 75 at-bats or appeared in at least 10 games on the mound were shut down for the rest of the season. The majority had been told by their head coaches that late-July to early-August would be the end of the summer ball season.

The central problem was that the WCL regular season didn’t end until Aug. 11 and the playoffs ended just under a week later. Many colleges were allowed to begin practicing once the calendar flipped to August and understandably chose to bring their players back from their summer-ball commitments.

When the AppleSox traveled to Corvallis for the final three games of the 2019 regular season, they brought 17 players with them and signed three pitchers to one-day contracts so that the best pitchers remaining could be rested for the postseason.

Remarkably, the Knights did not face a similar issue as the AppleSox. While AppleSox players hardly knew each other with the bulk of the roster consisting of late-season replacement players, the Knights hardly lost anyone significant. The eventual four-time defending West Coast League Champions and 2019 Perfect Game Team of the Year ended the regular season with 30 players on their roster, nearly double the number of active AppleSox players that same weekend. The Knights only lost five hitters from the entire 2019 season, four of whom recorded 15-or-fewer at-bats.

Sanderson, who faced the AppleSox’ skeleton crew in the postseason, believes that he is prepared to not make the same mistakes of a different regime from a year ago.

“Corvallis has found a way,” Sanderson said, “to find a majority of guys on that quarterly system and that’s what we’ve got to do. It was frustrating when we (Victoria) faced them in the championship round. The team that faced them wasn’t the team that got us to the playoffs. It’s not a knock on the guys who stayed, but it was just a different team. I think if we can control the roster and keep everybody around, I think it’s a much different league and the ‘top-heaviness’ goes away.”

Sanderson anticipates turnover on his 2020 roster. Too assume otherwise would be foolish, but his goal is to limit as much turnover as possible. That starts with communicating with players and their coaches better from the get-go, focusing on players who will be with the AppleSox for the majority of the season and having capable and planned replacements for those who don’t last the full summer. ­­

Division-I players may excite fans most, but it’s also critical to supplement the rest of a summer-ball roster with Division-II and junior-college players. Often times, junior-college players are looking to advance to the Division-I level and hope to put together a strong summer to convince college coaches that they are worth a spot on the top tier of college student-athletes. Sanderson, as a junior-college coach, knows that having control of these players in addition to their hunger are excellent reasons to make them members of the AppleSox this summer.

“We’re going to get as many of the best junior college guys that we can,” Sanderson said, “because those are the guys that are going to be the supplemental guys that fill in early and fill in later because I know what their schedules are. It’s going to be a mix of pop-in junior college players.”

The AppleSox were part of league’s elite at one point, winning five of the first eight WCL Championships. However, the league has also expanded since its inception in 2005. Seven teams battled in the division-less inaugural season with only two teams granted a postseason berth. In 2020, 12 teams in two divisions compete for four postseason berths, with only two teams from each division advancing to the playoffs.

The times have changed and now, so too must the AppleSox. With Sanderson and his forward-thinking mind at the helm, the AppleSox look to return to their previous glory with a strong start to a new era in 2020.

2019 WCL Saves Leader, Four Others Join 2020 AppleSox

The AppleSox have added pitching depth with this week’s roster additions. Head coach Ian Sanderson signed four pitchers from three different schools and a well-regarded high-school prospect.

Rance Pittman

After a stellar year with the Cowlitz Black Bears last summer, Rance Pittman joins the AppleSox in 2020. Pittman tossed 27 games last summer, all in relief, and recorded a league-high nine saves. Pittman has a 1.80 ERA in five relief appearances for Southeast Missouri this season.

Sanderson is very familiar with Pittman. In two years at Lower Columbia College, Pittman recorded a 1.80 ERA. Pittman went 1-0 as a sophomore with a 1.47 ERA in 18.1 innings across nine appearances.

“Rance has been a bullpen guy with a lot of success,” Sanderson said. “He will show a high 80’s, low 90’s fastball and a good slider. Great young man to help some of our young arms develop.”

Isaiah Zavala

Freshman right-hander Isaiah Zavala comes to the AppleSox from the University of the Incarnate Word. He recorded a 2.18 ERA in four years at Southwest High School in San Antonio. Zavala earned all-state honors as a junior after posting a 1.33 ERA and hitting .370.

In college, Zavala has started each of the four games he has pitched in this spring and has particularly excelled in his last two times on the mound. He has not allowed any runs in a combined 13 innings and has given up just eight hits while striking out 10.

Michael McElmeel

Another member of the University of the Incarnate Word joins the AppleSox this summer. Junior Michael McElmeel has tossed 42 games in his three years of college so far and is another veteran arm joining the AppleSox. Last season, McElmeel did not allow any runs in any of his first eight appearances en-route to a team-best 25 appearances on the mound. He recorded an 8.35 ERA in 18.1 innings. This spring, McElmeel has a 10.13 ERA in seven appearances.

Michael DeFelippi

Despite logging just 9.1 innings in seven appearances, Michael DeFelippi excelled as a freshman at the University of the Pacific. He only allowed 11 hits and recorded a 2.89 ERA. DeFelippi has a 7.20 ERA in three appearances this spring.

DeFelippi put together two strong JV years at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego. He was part of an undefeated team his freshman year and was then named team MVP and Pitcher of the Year during his sophomore season

Jordan Thompson

The youngest player in this week’s roster reveal joining the AppleSox in 2020 might have the most exciting future. Jordan Thompson may still be in high school, but he has already garnered national acclaim. The 2019 Perfect Game All-American shortstop is committed to play at LSU next year. Last summer, Thompson hit .283 with 14 extra-base hits for the San Diego Show travel team. He also has excelled as a pitcher at the high school level, topping out as high as 93 mph.

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The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a 6:35 p.m. non-league game against the Highline Bears. The home schedule is highlighted with Coyote Bobblehead Night on June 13, Fireworks Nights on July 3 and 20 and the West Coast League All-Star Game on July 20. The full schedule can be viewed below. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and can be purchased online. Single-game tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900.

Wenatchee Native Rubash Among Latest 2020 Player Signings

With less than 100 days until the start of the 2020 season, the AppleSox continue to compile their roster as they look to win their seventh league championship.

Two weeks ago, the AppleSox added Tyler Chipman, Chase Grillo, Jared Glenn, Brayden Spears, Gabriel Subirats and Bryant Nakagawa in the first wave of 2020 players.

Head coach Ian Sanderson has revealed the second wave of players to join his first AppleSox’ roster. Pitcher Jared Rubash, utilityman Logan Mercado, outfielders Marcus Lydon and Steven Riddle, infielder Zach Meddings and catchers Landon Wallace and Tyler Boggs all join the AppleSox roster.

Jared Rubash

Wenatchee High School senior Jared Rubash will join the AppleSox this summer before heading to the University of Oregon this fall. Originally committed to Yakima Valley, Rubash soon after switched to join Oregon. In addition to playing for the Panthers, Rubash spent the 2018 summer playing for the Apple Valley Blues for American Legion baseball.

“Rubash has a big upside,” Sanderson said. “He’s going to be in the Pac-12 where there is a lot of projected ability in the big right arm. Being a local guy, this gives fans a chance to see him perform against other college players before he heads to the University of Oregon.”

Logan Mercado

Utilityman Logan Mercado comes to Wenatchee on a high note after posting incredible numbers in high school. Mercado has hit .500 in 156 at-bats and recorded a 1.23 ERA in 24 games over his first three years at Tri-Cities Prep. That includes a stellar junior year when he hit .491 and recorded a microscopic 0.37 ERA. The Oregon commit will join the AppleSox as both a pitcher and a third baseman.

Marcus Lydon

Marcus Lydon joined the Oregon Ducks this season after playing his first two years of college at Seattle University and then Linn-Benton Community College. Lydon hit .188 in 36 games as a freshman and then .221 in 40 games as a sophomore. As a senior at Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon, the outfielder hit .515 and earned all-state honors.

Steven Riddle

Outfielder Steven Riddle is in his first year at the University of Nevada-Reno and looking to build off his strong final season of high school ball. Riddle hit .345 and stole 10 bases as a senior at Vista Murrieta High School in California. He also picked up League Championships in both his sophomore and senior seasons.

Zach Meddings

Zach Meddings put together a strong senior year before joining the University of Nevada-Reno, this fall. The infielder hit .322 in his four years at Franklin High School in Elk Grove, Calif. Meddings earned all-league honors and won a league title as a junior then again earned all-league honors as well as league MVP as a senior.

Landon Wallace

Landon Wallace comes to the AppleSox as a touted catcher and hitter. Wallace put together a stellar junior year at Roseville High School in California, hitting .452 in 26 games. Prep Baseball Report raves about the catcher’s bat speed and that paid off to the tune of 11 extra-base hits last spring. Wallace will attend the University of Nevada-Reno this fall.

Tyler Boggs

Tyler Boggs provides the AppleSox with a solid bat and catching depth this summer. The Yavapai College sophomore hit .275 in 36 games as a freshman and already has a .296 batting average through 13 games this season. Boggs kicked off the season on a high note by hitting a home run and driving in two in a two-hit season-opener against Glendale Community College on Jan. 31.

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The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a 6:35 p.m. non-league game against the Highline Bears. The home schedule is highlighted with Coyote Bobblehead Night on June 13, Fireworks Nights on July 3 and 20 and the West Coast League All-Star Game on July 20. The full schedule can be viewed below. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and can be purchased online. Single-game tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900.

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium to Host CCL Games for Two Weekends

Graphic by Ben Krueger

The Cascade Collegiate League, a summer college baseball league in the Pacific Northwest, will play 18 games across two different weekends this summer at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

CCL games will take place at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium June 19-21 and July 10-12. Both weekends will be packed with baseball games. Following one game on June 19, the CCL will play four more on June 20 before wrapping up the weekend with an additional four games on June 21. The CCL will follow the same schedule for July 10-12. The AppleSox are on the road for both of those weekends.

“We enjoyed competing with the Cascade Collegiate League last summer,” AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby said. “Every league has its own beginning and we hope to help them out while also scouting potential future AppleSox players. Hopefully, our fans won’t mind a couple of extra weekends of baseball at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium this summer.”

The CCL began operations in 2018 and completed its first season last summer. In addition to fielding six teams with a 24-game schedule, the CCL also will send a Showcase team, highlighting the best players in the league, to face off against five different West Coast League opponents this summer. The CCL Showcase team faced the AppleSox twice last summer, appearing in Wenatchee on June 3 and July 31, 2019. The AppleSox will welcome the Showcase team to Wenatchee on June 16 and 17.

“The CCL exists to develop and advance the careers of our players,” commissioner Ben Krueger said. “We are thrilled to strengthen our relationship with the AppleSox, their fans and the entire Wenatchee community.”

Last summer, 16 players from the CCL went on to be “called up” to the West Coast League. Three players (Jermaine Ducham, Ryan Isler and Henry Lenaburg) went from the CCL to the AppleSox.

Times, opponents and tickets for the two weekends in Wenatchee will be announced at a later date.

Chipman Highlights AppleSox' First 2020 Signees

The AppleSox’ 2018 Opening Day Starter will return to Wenatchee this upcoming season. Tyler Chipman and five newcomers will appear on Ian Sanderson’s first roster as AppleSox head coach.

Sanderson, who will also handle the AppleSox pitching coach responsibilities, is focused on building this summer’s team around pitching. He’ll start to achieve that goal by bringing five pitchers aboard along with a highly-touted catcher in his first wave of 2020 players.

In addition to the familiar face in Chipman, Sanderson has also signed catcher Bryant Nakagawa and pitchers Chase Grillo, Jared Glenn, Brayden Spears and Gabriel Subirats. Nakagawa comes from Saint Martin’s University while Grillo pitches at Spokane Falls but is committed to Gonzaga this fall. The final three pitchers are all from Boise State, a program playing its first baseball season this spring since 1980. Last summer, five different Broncos played for the AppleSox.

Tyler Chipman

The AppleSox’ 2018Opening-Day starter returns to Wenatchee after spending last summer in the Expedition League. The right-hander started 12 of the 14 games that he pitched in for the Badlands Big Sticks and struck out 53 batters in 58 innings. He finished 7-2 with a 4.34 ERA.

In 2018, Chipman went 1-0 with a 7.54 ERA in 13 games for the AppleSox. He recorded five scoreless outings and struck out 24 hitters in 37 innings. Chipman did not pitch at Gonzaga in 2019 and transferred to Yakima Valley College, where he will pitch as a redshirt freshman this spring. Chipman graduated from Cashmere High School in 2018. He earned First Team All-Caribou Trail League Honors every year and CTL MVP as a senior.

Bryant Nakagawa

At this past Sunday’s Hot Stove Party, AppleSox assistant coach Nick Brooks described Bryant Nakagawa as one of the top defensive catchers in the state of Washington at any level of college baseball. The St. Martin’s University catcher started 24 of 28 games last season and hit .227 as a sophomore. This season, he has started two of four games and has reached base twice via a pair of walks. Last summer, Nakagawa hit .283 with nine extra-base hits in 41 games for the Alaska Goldpanners of the Alaska Baseball League.

Chase Grillo

An incoming transfer to Gonzaga rounds out the first wave of AppleSox commits this summer. Chase Grillo went 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 12 games for Spokane Falls College last season and will wrap up his junior-college career there this spring before joining the Zags in the fall. Grillo also excelled for the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs of the Expedition League last summer. He went 3-3 with a 2.34 ERA over 30.2 innings in 18 appearances. He did not allow any runs in 12 games and also picked up a save.

Jared Glenn

The first of three Boise State recruits coming to the AppleSox looks to continue to the AppleSox history of incoming college freshmen pitchers to have success with the AppleSox. Jake Saum and Marco Gonzales, are just a few recent examples.

Glenn is committed to Boise State, but must first finish his senior year at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, California this spring. Glenn and the Lions won their second consecutive Boras Baseball Classic South Championship last spring. Former AppleSox first baseman/outfielder Blake Klassen was teammates with Glenn for each of those titles. As a junior, Glenn went 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA in nine games.

Brayden Spears

Brayden Spears is set to begin his freshman season at Boise State this weekend. The 6-foot-6-inch right-hander went 5-3 with a 1.49 ERA in 11 games as a senior at Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. The year prior, Spears recorded a 2.91 ERA in 14 games. Spears earned All-Bay Valley Athletic League Second Team honors in each of his final two years of high school. In addition to baseball, Spears also lettered in water polo at Liberty. He earned district MVP honors in water polo as a junior.

Gabriel Subirats

Another freshman at Boise State will also join the AppleSox this summer. Gabriel Subirats went 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in six appearances last year as a senior at Klein High School while also holding hitters to a .218 batting average and striking out 17.

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The next AppleSox roster announcement will take place on Feb. 26.

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The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a 6:35 p.m. non-league game against the Highline Bears. The home schedule is highlighted with Coyote Bobblehead Night on June 13, Fireworks Night on July 3 and the West Coast League All-Star Game on July 20. The full schedule can be viewed below. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and can be purchased online. Single-game tickets, including MVP Cards, can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900.

Hot Stove Party Scheduled for Feb. 9

It might be the middle of winter but once again it’s time to talk baseball. The annual AppleSox Hot Stove Party is scheduled for Feb. 9 from 2-4 p.m. at Abby’s Legendary Pizza.

Team owner Jose Oglesby, head coach Ian Sanderson and other members of the AppleSox front office will be on hand to chat with fans. The AppleSox will also be giving away prizes to fans in attendance.

The AppleSox Hot Stove Party is free to season ticket holders and sponsors. All other fans can attend for $15 per person, including a pizza and salad buffet. Beer and wine is available for purchase.

Please call 509-665-6900, email info@applesox.com or select ‘Going‘ on the Facebook event to RSVP.

Sanderson Finalizes Coaching Staff

WENATCHEE, WA - AppleSox head coach Ian Sanderson has added a second assistant coach ahead of the 2020 season. Branson Trube will join the AppleSox as an infield and analytics assistant.

Trube is originally from Meridian, Idaho. He joins Nick Brooks, hired in November, as the two assistants on Sanderson’s coaching staff.

“Branson brings D-I coaching experience to Wenatchee as well as good summer ball coaching,” Sanderson said. “He will be working with our infielders, hitters and doing a majority of the analytics work for us this summer. I’m very excited to have him as well as Nick on board. I think we have put together a great staff to be successful.”

Like Brooks, Trube also played at Gonzaga and graduated in 2018. He hit .272 in his four seasons with the Zags. As a senior, Trube hit .289 with 8 home runs (tied, second) and 7 stolen bases (tied, first). With the addition of Trube, seven members of the 2018 Gonzaga Bulldogs have previously or will play/coach for the AppleSox.

After graduating, Trube coached at Mountain View high school where he helped lead the Mavericks to a state championship. He then spent the next summer in Fairbanks, Alaska coaching the Alaska GoldPanners, working under former AppleSox assistant coach Miles Kizer (2015).

This summer will be a homecoming of sorts for Trube. He spent three years playing summer college baseball, including the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Yakima Valley Pippins of the West Coast League.

“I am very excited to be joining Wenatchee for the summer,” Trube said. “As a former player in the WCL, I am looking forward to being back in the league and helping our players master their craft.” 

The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a non-league game against the Highline Bears at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900. MVP cards are also on sale. For $20, you receive four tickets that are good for any AppleSox game, excluding the 2020 All-Star Game. MVP Cards can be purchased here. Single-game tickets will go on sale at a to-be-announced date.

AppleSox Alum Brooks Returns to Wenatchee as Assistant Coach

WENATCHEE, WA - Thursday morning, AppleSox head coach Ian Sanderson announced that he has added Nick Brooks to his coaching staff for the 2020 season. Brooks graduated from Gonzaga in 2018 and played for the AppleSox in 2014. He currently is an assistant coach for Spokane Falls community college, specifically working with catchers and hitters.

Brooks returns to Wenatchee five years after playing for the AppleSox. The Auburn, WA, native hit .277 in 41 games and tied for the team lead with three home runs.

“I loved every minute of my time in Wenatchee,” Brooks said. “I was able to work on the little things that helped me grow as a player. I’m looking forward to coaching talented players from all over the country and giving them a similar opportunity that I had while playing for the AppleSox.”

Brooks represents AppleSox head coach Ian Sanderson’s first hire. He will look to add another coach to his staff.

“He will be working with the offense, catchers and a little outfield when he has time to work with them after catchers,” Sanderson said.

Brooks, pictured second from left, played 43 games for the AppleSox in 2014.

Brooks hit .242 in his four years at Gonzaga. His senior year, he hit .283 with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 20 RBI. Brooks led the Bulldogs with a .559 slugging percentage.

In high school, Brooks helped Auburn Mountainview win the 3A state championship. He hit .511 with four home runs and 42 RBI at the plate while also recording a perfect 11-0 record along with a 1.70 ERA in 12 appearances on the mound.

Following his time at Gonzaga, Brooks signed a professional contract with the Perth Heat in the Australia Baseball League for the 2018-19 season. Upon returning to the states, Brooks began his coaching career with the Spokane Expos covering their 16u program.

The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a non-league game against the Highline Bears at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and MVP cards are also on sale. For $20, you receive four tickets that are good for any AppleSox game, excluding the 2020 All-Star Game. Both as well as 20-percent off 20th-season merchandise are available for purchase at the AppleSox office at 610 N. Mission St. #204.

AppleSox to Host 2020 WCL All-Star Game

For the second time in franchise history, the Wenatchee AppleSox will host the West Coast League All-Star Game. The AppleSox hosted the inaugural WCL All-Star Game in 2006 and will welcome the 13th mid-summer classic in WCL history to Wenatchee on July 20, 2020.

“I am very pleased that the WCL is bringing the All-Star Game back to Wenatchee,” Oglesby said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our team our fans and our community. It will be a highlight of our 2020 season.”

Each summer the showcase event features over 40 of the WCL’s top players in the league’s annual exhibition.

New AppleSox head coach Ian Sanderson and his to-be-announced coaching staff will coach the North Division’s team and the 2019 West Coast League Champion Corvallis Knights coaching staff will coach the South Division.

All tickets to the game will be general admission with ‘first come, first served’ seating. Tickets will go on sale for $10 at an aforementioned date. 2020 season-ticket holders will receive tickets to the 2020 WCL All-Star Game as a bonus for their season commitments. MVP punch cards will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please email info@applesox.com or call 509-665-6900.