Pippins Add Two Outfielders to 2016 Roster
January 30, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - Two community college outfielders headed to major universities in the fall will continue their baseball careers with the Yakima Valley Pippins this summer.
Mitchell Morimoto, a 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitter who attended Issaquah (Wash.) High School, is starting his sophomore season at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. In 56 games as a freshman, Morimoto hit .393 with 21 doubles, seven triples and four home runs in 206 at-bats. He drove in 45 runs and had a .621 slugging percentage.
"Mitchell is a Pac-12 hitter today," Pippins manager Marcus McKimmy said. "He had a monster freshman year, and he will only get stronger and continue to develop as a hitter. I watched him play in high school, and after graduating, he has continued to develop very nicely. He will primarily play left and right field this summer, but will be counted on to really drive in runs in the middle of the order."
Dylan Vchulek, entering his sophomore season at Bellevue Community College, attended Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge Island. He is a 6-foot-1, 193-pound right-handed hitter who hit .395 and stole 12 bases in 33 games last year.
"Dylan is an absolute burner with his speed," McKimmy said. "He'll play center field this summer and will create a ton of pressure on the base paths as well. Every coach I've talked to who's coached against him said he was the toughest guy in the lineup to get out. Yakima fans will be able to notice Dylan's skills and talents immediately. We are very excited to have him."
In the fall, Morimoto will attend the University of Arizona. Vchulek will play at the University of Hawaii.
The Pippins open the 2016 season at Wenatchee on June 3. Yakima Valley's home opener is slated for Monday, June 6, at 7:05 p.m. against 2015 West Coast League champion Bend, Ore. Season tickets and ticket mini plans are available for purchase at Hunky Shaw's Team Shop, 12 S. Second St. in the historic Larson Building in downtown Yakima. Ticket packages also can be purchased by calling 509-575-4487 or online at pippinsbaseball.com.
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West Coast League Stories from January 30, 2016
- Pippins Add Two Outfielders to 2016 Roster - Yakima Valley Pippins
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