Sweets Sign '15 League MVP and Key Returner
May 12, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release
Walla Walla, WA - This late into the WCL off-season, teams are making slight tweaks and adjustments to rosters to prepare for upcoming campaign. The Sweets did more than a slight tweak or adjustment - they added two key players that showed in 2015 that they are among the league's elite with the addition of reigning WCL MVP Hunter Villanueva (OF, Fresno Pacific), and returning LHP Easton Lucas (Pepperdine).
Villanueva is coming to the Sweets fresh off a record-setting campaign in which he led the WCL in batting average, and finished in the top seven in the following categories: HR (3rd), RBI (6th), Runs Scored (T-5th), Hits (4th), 2B (T-5th), OPS (2nd), and Runs Created (3rd). He was an important part of leading the Kelowna Falcons from worst-to-first in winning the WCL East Division (now the North), and lends versatility to the defensive side of the lineup card as an outfielder and the ability to play infield as well.
"I am so excited we are adding these two great players to our roster this summer," Sweets manager Frank Mutz said. "Both guys are WCL All-Stars and arguably the two best players in the league last summer at their positions."
"Hunter Villanueva is a complete player," he said. "He can play multiple positions and hit for average and power. Our goal this summer is to hit Hunter in the top of the line-up. Last summer he played nearly every game without a break and still put up incredible numbers."
Lucas, a member of the Sweets in 2015, likewise brings impressive results from his first campaign in the WCL to the table. Spending the majority of the time as a member of the starting rotation, Lucas was honored as a member of the All-Star team. He finished 5th in the league in ERA, and among the top ten with Strikeouts (T-10th), with opponents hitting just .232. In addition to his All-Star recognition, Baseball America named Lucas to the Top 20 of WCL prospects from the 2015 season. Team officials are excited to see what a full season of college baseball (Lucas was a high school graduate last summer) plus what he learned on the circuit last year could mean for the Sweets chances at a playoff berth in 2016.
"I am excited to have Hunter, the WCL MVP from 2015 and Easton, a 2015 All-Star on the Sweets roster this season," said general manger Katie Biagi. "Both players showed that they can excel at this level of play and I'm excited to see what they can do in 2016."
Both players are expected to be in Walla Walla for the 2016 Opener vs. Victoria on June 3.
The Walla Walla Sweets will open the 2016 season presented by Columbia REA, on June 3 against the Victoria HarbourCats. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now. For more information about these and other ticketing options visit wallawallasweets.com, stop by the Sweets Shoppe in downtown Walla Walla, or call 509.522.BALL (2255).
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West Coast League Stories from May 12, 2016
- Sweets Sign '15 League MVP and Key Returner - Walla Walla Sweets
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