NYPL State College Spikes

Former Spikes Taillon, Gregerson Playing in World Baseball Classic

Published on March 7, 2013 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE- A pair of former State College Spikes pitchers will be participating in the 2013 World Baseball Classic during the month of March. 2010 Spike and current Pittsburgh prospect Jameson Taillon will be part of Team Canada's pitching staff, while San Diego Padres' right-hander Luke Gregerson (2006) will work out of the Team USA bullpen.

Taillon, a Texas native who is eligible to play for Canada because his parents were born north of the border, is expected to take the mound as the starting pitcher for Canada's final of three first-round match-ups Sunday against the USA. The right-hander, who joined the Spikes near the end of the 2010 season after being selected as the second overall pick in that year's MLB Draft, is one of the top young prospects in baseball. Taillon, who has not yet made his MLB debut, enters the 2013 season ranked as the #15 overall prospect by MLB.com.

Gregerson, one of the most dependable and durable relievers in Major League Baseball, is entering his fifth major league season, all with San Diego. He has appeared in at least 61 games in each of his first four big league seasons, including a career-high 80 outings in 2010, when he set a major league record with 40 holds. The 28-year old right-hander was originally drafted by St. Louis in the 28th round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of tiny St. Xavier University in Illinois and spent his first pro season playing with the Spikes as a Cardinals farmhand. He was later traded to the Padres and made his big league debut in 2009.

In addition to Taillon and Gregerson, a pair of former Spikes coaches will also be involved in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. 2006 Spikes pitching coach Sid Monge (Mexico) and 2007 pitching coach Wilson Alvarez (Venezeula) will each serve the same role for their respective native countries.

Canada and Team USA will compete in Group D along with Mexico and Italy in the first round of the Classic. The top two teams at the completion of three-game round-robin schedule, which will be played in Phoenix this weekend, will advance to the second round. The World Baseball Classic champion will be crowned Tuesday, March 19.

Visit State College Spikes.com for a complete list of Spikes alumni, including 16 players who have reached the major leagues since the team's inaugural 2006 campaign.

The Spikes will open the club's 2013 New York-Penn League schedule on Monday, June 17 with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch against the Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies) at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes will host 38 nights of fun, affordable family entertainment and future Major League Baseball stars in action between June 17 and August 30.

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